Just got in mail yesterday from Social Security Administration for husband, "Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement". This lists all income he's made in his entire lifetime, SSA paid in, and has explanations of benefits etc. He doesn't remember ever receiving something like this from them before. Interesting, but it could be useful if for nothing else than to prove his lifetime payments in to SSA. I guess I won't get mine until they get to the "Ts". Hubby's last name is "As". Anyone else get one of these?

-- Bobbi (volfnat@northweb.com), October 25, 1998

Answers

My husband and I both got one last year. I called SS and asked about it and they said that when you turn a certain age they automatically send you a copy. Keep that record in a safe location. You can also request of copy of your SS records free of charge.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), October 25, 1998.

Yup. It's filed. With the other hard-copy records. In case the fed's lose everything else. (My birthdate was 1955, anything magic about that year w/r social security?)

Oh by the way, you should be able to order one (regardless of age) for anyone. I'd recommend it, to start your federal safety (in-security) backup file for every member of your immediate family, and every senior, and every child.

There's no telling what they will lose next: passport application data? Military retirement records?

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 25, 1998.

I just got one yesterday, too. I thought it odd also. never got one before.

-- ed (edrider007@aol.com), October 25, 1998.

Not to worry. We both got one. It is new, maybe, and routine, and not y2k generated. Save it! Mary G.

-- Mary Gonzales (blufrogg@garlic.com), October 25, 1998.

I read in Michael Hyatt's book that we should all get a copy of this PEBES from the Social Security Adm. It is form SSA-7004 and you can even fill one out online at www.ssa.gov. My husband and I both filled one out and will receive it in a few weeks. Mary

-- Mary Howe (doesnotmatter@thistime.com), October 26, 1998.

I got one a few weeks after my 48th birthday. The local SSA office said it was an automatic statement kicked out by their central-office computer in D.C. or wherever.

-- J.D. Clark (yankeejdc@aol.com), October 26, 1998.

I found this on their website. Explains why we got that Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement from them: -------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to Social Security's "My Statement" website that will give you more information about the Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement you just received. You may have requested it (the statement is highlighted in blue) or we may have sent it to you automatically (green highlights). In late 1998 and early 1999, Social Security will send about 33 million to people aged 40-47. In October 1999, the mailings will expand to include all workers age 25 and older, with updated statements issued each year thereafter. Your statement provides a year-by-year display of earnings that have been reported to Social Security. It also gives you estimates of the benefits you and your family may be eligible for now and in the future. If you have any questions about some of the information in your statement, this web site will help you find the answers. ------------------------------------- Bobbi

-- Bobbi (volfnat@northweb.com), October 26, 1998.

I thought it a good idea to file a request for my Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement. The link below takes you right to the online form:

Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement

Best Wishes,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), August 09, 1999.

I think SSA is just trying to avoid the rush:

...In late 1998 and early 1999, Social Security will send about 33 million to people aged 40-47. In October 1999, the mailings will expand to include all workers age 25 and older, with updated statements issued each year thereafter.

They'll be ahead of the demand curve by mailing out these notices automatically. By end of October 1999, they'll have provided hardcopy of the PEBES to every worker age 25 and older, thus avoiding a rush of requests. Good move on their part.

SSA has been working on Y2K for almost 30 years, friends. They probably started the planning on this mail-out in 1994, or even earlier. Good planning and design early in the process will reap major dividends downstream.

Too bad so many other orgs didn't follow SSA's lead until too late...

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), August 09, 1999.