In February 2011, Jeopardy! broadcast its first competition that pit man against machine. Watson, an artificial intelligence computer system developed by IBM, competed against the show’s two most successful champions: Ken Jennings (longest winning streak) and Brad Rutter (biggest money winner).
Watson won, with the help of a four-terabyte memory that included 200 million pages of encyclopedias – including the full text of Wikipedia.
We at Social Security have known for some time that computers can help people. As a result, we developed and now have some of the best online services in the world. Time and time again, Social Security’s online services are at the top of customer satisfaction surveys.
So here’s a Jeopardy! answer of our own: “You can conduct these online services at www.socialsecurity.gov.” What is the question?
• What is “get an instant, personalized estimate of future benefits with the Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator”?
• What is “apply for Social Security retirement, spouse’s, Medicare, or disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline”?
• What is “apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp”?
• What is “request a replacement Medicare card at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/links_medicare.htm”?
All of the above are acceptable answers.
Computers are capable of making our lives much easier. In fact, you might say that using our online services makes doing business with Social Security … elementary, dear Watson.
See for yourself at www.socialsecurity.gov.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, who is eligible for survivors benefits?
Answer:
Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:
• Widows or widowers — full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60;
• Disabled widows or widowers — as early as age 50;
• Widows or widowers at any age if they take care of the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits;
• Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren or adopted children;
• Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled; and
• Dependent parents age 62 or older.
Even if you are divorced, you still may qualify for survivors benefits based on the earnings record of a former spouse. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov.
What is a Social Security “credit?”
Answer:
During your working years, earnings covered by Social Security are posted to your record. You earn Social Security credits based on those earnings. The amount of earnings needed for one credit rises as average earnings levels rise. In 2011, you receive one credit for each $1,120 of earnings. You can earn up to a maximum of four credits a year. Most people will need a minimum of 40 credits (or 10 years of work) to be eligible for retirement benefits. Learn more by reading the online publication How You Earn Credits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html.
What is the earliest age that I can begin receiving retirement benefits?
Answer:
You can get a reduced benefit as early as age 62. Keep in mind that your monthly benefit amount would be about 33 percent higher if you wait until age 66 and nearly 80 percent higher if you defer payments until age 70. Visit our Retirement Estimator to find out how much you can expect to receive. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
Sharon Knight is the District Manager of Social Security Cypress Hills Field Office in Brooklyn, NY
