YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
By DAVID BROWN

As much as the Internet has become part of daily American life, the age group that has been slowest to adapt to Internet use for everyday business and information needs has been Americans age 65 and older. According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, only about a third of those over age 65 use the Internet, or less than half as many as among those between 50 and 64. Most of this latter group are Baby Boomers, and they will be retiring (and planning their retirements) in large numbers over the next few years.

If you are one of these Internet-savvy Baby Boomers, Social Security wants you to know that we are open for business at www.socialsecurity.gov . Whether you are just planning your retirement or are actually ready to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, here are the Social Security online services you may want to consider:

• Social Security Benefit Application: When you decide to take the plunge and actually retire, you can apply for your retirement (or spouse's) benefits online.
• Retirement Planners: You can estimate your future benefits and also use links to outside Web sites that discuss other sources of retirement income and postretirement concerns such as housing and medical care.

Even if you are not yet ready to use these Social Security online services, I urge you to visit our Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov and check them out, so that when you are ready you will know just what help is available to you.

Mr. Brown is District Manager of the Social Security Administration's Downtown New York Office.