November 2018
An “A” Rating for Social Security – 2018 Federal Plain Language Report Card
Social Security received high scores again this year on the Plain Language Report Card — A+ for compliance and A for Writing quality — in a year that many agencies saw a decline in their scores. This year, the report card concentrated on two pages of the website: the www.socialsecurity.gov home page and the redesigned my
Social Security page at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Since 2012, the Center for Plain Language has graded federal agencies on compliance with the Plain Writing Act — the 2010 law that requires government writing to be clear, concise, and well organized.
You and your clients can learn more about our commitment to communicating clearly at www.socialsecurity.gov/plain-language.
Earning Social Security Credits with Military Service
In November, we honored military service members for their sacrifices to protect our freedoms. Social Security supports millions of people and families, including veterans and active duty members of the military. While your clients are in military service, let them know that they pay Social Security taxes, just as civilian employees do. In 2018, they pay a 6.2 percent Social Security tax on up to $128,400 of their earnings. Additionally, everyone pays a Medicare tax rate of 1.45 percent on all wages.
Earnings for active duty military service or active duty training have been covered under Social Security since 1957. You and your clients can read more about how Social Security helps military service members at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10017.pdf.
Request a New Social Security Card Online
We’ve all probably lost an important object sometime in our lives. Car keys, a check, our wallet… once in a while they disappear. That’s why Social Security has made replacing your Social Security card even easier. If you or your clients have a driver’s license or state-issued identification card from a participating state or the District of Columbia, our online application makes getting a replacement card easier than ever. There’s no need to sit in traffic or visit a local office. You and your clients can check if your state participates at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
As long as you’re only requesting a replacement card, and no other changes, you can use our free online service from the comfort of your home or office. Let your clients know that they can start by creating or logging in to their personal my
Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
November is National Native American Heritage Month
In November, we celebrated National Native American Heritage Month, honoring the first people to call this land home. American Indians and Alaska Natives have fortified our country with their traditions and values, contributing to every aspect of our national life. Earlier this year, new legislation extended federal recognition to six additional American Indian Tribes. The formal recognition of these sovereign governments is a symbolic effort to restore self-governance and economic vitality to indigenous people.
On September 20, 2018, the Tribal Social Security Fairness Act of 2018 was signed into law. This new law allows federally recognized Indian tribes to obtain voluntary Social Security coverage for tribal council positions through an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under Section 218A of the Social Security Act.
The Social Security Administration is committed to enhancing the agency’s relationships with tribal communities. You and your clients can learn more about how we serve American Indians and Alaska Natives at www.socialsecurity.gov/people/aian/.
Social Security Holiday Field Office Closings
Social Security’s spirit of giving endures all year long, but we’d like to wish you happy holidays from our family to yours! If you need to do business with us during the holiday season, we want you to know that our offices will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25, and New Year’s Day, January 1.
For a list of our secure and convenient online services, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.