•April 6, 2016•

Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, welcomes everyone to celebrate the third National my Social Security Week from April 4 through 13. Social Security will host numerous events and activities across the country to raise awareness about the benefits of establishing a my Social Security account. This secure, personalized account can be created at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

“For more than 80 years, Social Security has been there through life’s journey. We are helping to secure today and tomorrow with information, tools and resources to meet our customers’ changing needs,” said Acting Commissioner Colvin. “Join the more than 23 million people who have already created a my Social Security account, a secure, convenient option for people to do business with Social Security anywhere and anytime.”

With a my Social Security account, people may:

· Keep track of their earnings and verify them every year with their Social Security Statement;
· Get an estimate of their future benefits, if they are still working;
· Get a verification letter with proof of their benefits, if they currently receive them;
· Manage their benefits;
· Change their address;
· Start or change direct deposit;
· Get a replacement Medicare card; and
· Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.

During my Social Security Week, the agency will hold “Check Your Statement Day” on April 7. It is important that people check their Social Security Statement every year to learn about future Social Security benefits and to verify annual earnings. Personalized Statements help people plan for their financial future. People may access their information when it’s convenient for them by creating a my Social Security account.

Social Security is also helping the U.S. Department of Treasury educate people about the value of saving for retirement. Millions of people do not have access to a retirement savings plan at work or find it difficult to start saving. The myRA® is a retirement savings account developed by Treasury that removes common savings barriers and can help people start to save. Learn more at www.myRA.gov.