submitted by Joseph J. Olenski, Social Security District Manager, Fairless Hills

For many retirees (and near retirees), there is nothing that they look forward to as much as a day on the golf course.

The game recently has been made more pleasurable by the use of computers and GPS technology. A hand-held electronic unit acts just like a personal caddie, providing quick and accurate yardage information – and much more. It saves time … as well as mental and physical effort.

So golfers should be among those retirees (and near retirees) to recognize the value of technology in other aspects of life, such as Social Security’s online services.

Just by logging onto your computer at www.socialsecurity.gov, you can handle such important Social Security business as:

• Applying online for retirement, disability, or Medicare benefits;
• Getting a personalized estimate of future benefits with our Retirement Estimator;
• Accessing your Social Security Statement online;
• Changing your address or phone number in Social Security records once you start receiving benefits;
• Signing up for or changing direct deposit; and
• Much, much more.

One thing that golfers everywhere hate is slow play – waiting on the tee box, and then waiting again in the fairway. While we can’t eliminate waits on the golf course, going online to www.socialsecurity.gov can eliminate the time you would spend sitting in traffic or waiting in lines at an office.

If you happen to be a golfer (or any other person) who loves tradition and hates to try new things, here’s a thought. 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of three of golf’s legends – Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Sam Snead. All of these golfing greats were quick to adapt to the newest golfing innovations of their day – and you should, too.

Just go online to www.socialsecurity.gov and take a look at what we offer. Once you do, you’ll think of every other way of handling Social Security business as a bogey.

submitted by Joseph J. Olenski, Social Security District Manager, Fairless Hills

When you are away from home, one thing you do not want to worry about is how you will receive your next monthly Social Security payment. That is why it is important for everyone receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to sign up for electronic payments.

These days, almost everyone gets benefit payments electronically. Today, about 90% of all Social Security and SSI beneficiaries receive their payments electronically. That number is increasing because the law requires that by March 1st, 2013 all federal benefit payments, including Social Security and SSI payments, be made electronically.

Whether you receive Social Security or SSI, you can depend on your payment arriving in your account on time, every time.

If you don’t already receive electronic payments, there are many good reasons to sign up. For one, less money and time spent driving to the bank to cash your check helps you save. Second, fewer paper checks, envelopes, and stamps, and less fuel to deliver the checks means savings for the government.

Hurricane season is here for some areas of the country. Other regions bear the brunt of flooding. Some areas of the nation are plagued by tornadoes, and still others must deal with wildfires, severe thunderstorms, or even earthquakes. If you are unfortunate enough to be in the path of a natural disaster, the last thing you want is for your income to be interrupted because of an evacuation or a missing mailbox.

With electronic payments, you know your money will be in your account on time no matter what.

When on vacation, an electronic payment ensures payments will be deposited into your account on time, so there is no reason to worry about the safety of your benefit or to ask a neighbor to look out for your check when you are away.

As an added bonus, many banks offer free checking accounts for people who use direct deposit because it saves the bank the cost of processing paper payments. Skip the line at the bank, save money, get your payment faster, and know you can depend on your payment being in the bank no matter what happens or where you are.

You can do all of this with electronic payments.

Learn more about it at www.socialsecurity.gov/deposit.