By Jule’ Dunham
Greetings from the World of Real Estate with Julè. Life is Good!
Well folks the warm weather is here for sure. We are in the 90’s this week. It’s time for summer activities around the home and with your family.
How can you make some of those outdoor chores more fun for the family? Believe it or not, washing the patio, patio furniture, washing down the sidewalk, driveway, and even the car can be fun.
When we were children, we used to have lots of fun with the water hose when it was hot outside. After washing the car, it was treat time for some watermelon or ice cream. So, if you have not already done so, there is fun to be had with your family doing these chores we would otherwise not be interested in doing.
Your social security number is a very important part of benefits that you may be due at some point in your life. A bit of history for you with your social security card and what it represents. I have recently come across a Social Security brochure that was issued to someone many years ago when she received her Social Security Account Card issued by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare-Social Security Administration, and have decided to share that information with you verbatim. It reads as follows:
“YOUR CARD shows the number of your social security account. It is necessary to identify the account as belonging to you, but it has no other purpose. The social security card should not be used for identification purposes.
MOST WORKERS now come under Federal old-age, survivors and disability insurance. This group includes members of the Armed Forced and most self-employed people. Also included, by agreement, are employees of nonprofit institutions, of State of local governments, and of foreign subsidiaries of United States business firms. The same provisions apply to workers and self-employed persons in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
WHEN YOU WORK on a job that is under social security, show your card to your employer. Make sure your employer takes down your name and social security number exactly as they are shown on your card.
IF YOU ARE self-employed, show your name and number (exactly as on your card) on the social security report you file with your annual income tax return.
YOUR CARD is in two parts-the upper part, which is the card itself and the stub.
SIGN YOUR NAME on both parts, on the line marked “Signature.”
KEEP THE CARD itself in a card holder, or a tough envelope of some sort. Carry your card with you when you are looking for a job so you will be sure to have it to show to your new employer. When you are not carrying the card with you, keep it in a safe place with your other valuable possessions.
LEAVE THE STUB attached to this folder and put them away for safe-keeping. If you should lose the card, the stub will help you to get a duplicate. In case of your death it may be useful to your family in filing claim for survivors’ insurance benefits. Tell your family about your social security card and let them know where you have put it.
IF YOU LOSE YOUR CARD show or mail the stub to the nearest social security district office and ask for a duplicate. You can get a duplicate without the stub but not as quickly.
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR NAME-by marriage or divorce, for example – write or visit the nearest social security district office and ask to have the records changed. You will get a new card with your new name and your old number.
DON’T ask for more than one number no matter where you work. If you should get it, your earnings would be credited to more than one account, and both you and your family might have trouble getting all the benefits that might be due. If you already have more than one account number, get in touch with the nearest social security district office and find out which number to use. Turn in the other card.
YOUR CARD shows you have an insurance account with the U.S. Government, under the old -age, survivors and disability insurance system provided for in the Social Security Act.
YOUR ACCOUNT is a record of the pay you receive which counts toward old-age, survivors and disability insurance benefits. The size of benefits will depend upon the amount of wages credited to your account.
MONTHLY BENEFITS may be paid to men and women of retirement age (65 for men, 62 for women) and to disabled workers at age 50. Also, the following family members may qualify for benefits:
The wife or dependent husband if that person has reached retirement age,
Children under 18,
Disabled children, regardless of age, and
The wife (any age) caring for such children.
IF THE WORKER DIES benefits may be paid to the widow or to the dependent widower at retirement age. Benefits are also payable to disabled children and to children under 18, and to their mother, regardless of her age. Benefits may be paid to the dependent parent of a worker if the parent has reached retirement age.
In addition, when an insured worker dies a lump-sum payment may be made to the widow (or widower) or, if there is no widow or widower, to the person who paid the funeral expenses.
For more information…ASK ANY social security district office. If you don’t know where to find a district office, ask your post office or look in the telephone directory. Any district office will- 1. Help you to check up on your social security account. 2. Explain your rights and duties, and the insurance benefits you and your family may receive. 3. Help you or your survivors to file claim for benefits when the time comes. 4. Help you protect your benefit rights if you become severely disabled and expect to be unable to work for a long period of time.
Do not notify the Social Security Administration when you change your address unless you are receiving old-age, survivors and disability insurance benefits.
SOCIAL SECURITY IS A FAMILY PROTECTION Form OAAN-7706 (11-58) GPO: )-525034”
I found the document to be a reminder to all as to the importance of a system that was set up many years ago to help us in what may be our most vulnerable time of life.
I have not seen a recent brochure to compare it to but may in the near future as I have a new grandson. The comparison of the two brochures should be interesting.
For any social security questions, please contact your nearest social security administration office for assistance.
Say Hello. Be Kind. Be Friendly. Embrace Life and all that it really offers. Keep Life Simple. Making good relay relationships is very important to our mental, emotional and physical health.
Oh yes, and please say hello to me when you see me out and about. I would love to see how you and your family are doing.
Should you have a topic you would like addressed, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for reading my column and have a blessed week.
Here is your local realtor, Julè Dunham, signing off until next week.
Crye-Leike Realtors
Julè Dunham, Affiliate Broker, SRES, RENE. Contact her by phone at 901-828-8471 (cell) or 901-840-1181 (office) or by email to: [email protected] for an appointment to speak with you, your group or club.
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