YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
By DAVID BROWN

We encourage you to consider our on-line services when you need to conduct business with Social Security.

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

Whether you want to apply for retirement benefits, request a replacement Medicare card, report a change of address or direct deposit if you are currently receiving benefits, or take charge of your retirement planning, you can do it on our Web site.

Wait for an appointment? Not for an independent-thinking person like you! There's no need to wait or depend on another person when the power is at your fingertips. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices/ to get started.

Many of these services can be completed on-line without taking another step. Some services require you to mail in documents and information. You may decide to print out what you've completed on-line and to take it into the office with the necessary documentation. Regardless, you'll be ahead of the pack by using our on-line services.

You can rest assured that doing business with Social Security on-line is fast, easy and secure.

Many of our on-line services are available as automated phone services as well. Just call 1-800-772-1213 to take advantage of our automated phone services.

If you receive Social Security benefits and you're planning to travel abroad this summer, there are some things you should know to make your trip - and the delivery of your Social Security payments - go smoothly.

First, if you haven't already done so, you should sign up for direct deposit. It's the easiest and most secure way to receive your benefit payments, whether you're at home or halfway around the world. With direct deposit, you never have to worry about your check being lost or stolen. And direct deposit makes funds instantly available to you even when you are not at home to receive and cash your checks.

You should also be familiar with how your Medicare coverage works outside the United States. Be aware that Medicare, in most cases, does not pay for hospital or medical services outside the U.S., except for some emergency services in Mexico and Canada. That is the case even if you get sick or hurt while traveling.

Last but not least, if you plan to stay outside the country more than 30 days, other rules may apply. You can find out about these rules and more by visiting our on-line publications at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/. Look for the publication Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ask for a copy to be mailed to you.