Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 23, 2021 a y avvy Seniorioreniioor a vy avvy vavvy ennioorn rniiori by Jim Miller Why You Should Create a “My Social Security Account” Dear Savvy Senior, I’m 58 years old and working on a plan for my retirement. I’ve read that I need to check my Social Security statement every year to validate its accuracy. How do I go about doing this? Planning Ahead Dear Planning, Checking your official Social Security statement every year is smart move to make sure your posted earnings are correct, which will ensure you get the benefits you’re entitled to. But most Americans don’t do it. In fact, most U.S workers have never even created a digital “my Social Security account” so they can access their statement information. Here’s what you should know. Online Statements In 2017, as a cost cutting measure, the Social Security Administration stopped mailing paper Social Security statements to everyone under age 60. The only people who still get statements in the mail are those over age 60 who aren’t yet getting benefits and who haven’t set up an online account. (Paper statements, however, are still available to anyone on request by submitting form SSA-7004.) If you haven’t done so, you should create a “my Social Security account” which will give you instant access to your personal Social Security statement so you can check your earning record and get estimates of your future retirement benefits at full retirement age, as well as at age 62 and age 70. Your statement will also let you know how much you would qualify for if you become disabled, and how much your family members will receive in survivors’ benefits if you die. How to Create an Account? To create a “my Social Security account,” go to SSA.gov/ myaccount. When you open the account, you’ll be asked to enter your Social Security number and birth date, and you’ll also be prompted to answer a series of multiplechoice questions that might include inquiries about financial products you own and previous addresses to confirm your identity. Then you’ll receive a code by either email or text, which you will enter online to complete the process. If you have a problem creating an online account, call 800772-1213. After you establish an account, you’ll get an annual email reminder to log on and review your statement. If you have a security freeze on your credit report to help ward off fraud, you must lift it temporarily to set up your online Social Security account. Specifically, you’ll need to thaw the freeze at Equifax, the company the administration currently uses to help verify users’ identities. Creating an online account is also a good idea to prevent someone else from fraudulently creating one first and using it to steal benefit payments in the future. Given the number of security breaches in recent years, it’s possible someone may be able to illegally obtain your sensitive personal information, like your Social Security number, and use it to set up an account in your name. Once you get access to your statement, compare the earnings listed on your statement with your own tax records or W-2 statements. You have to correct errors within 3 years, 3 months and 15 days following the year of the mistake. If you happen to spot a discrepancy within that time limit, call 800772-1213 to report the error. Some corrections can be made over the phone, or you may need to schedule an appointment and go in with copies of your W-2 forms or tax returns to prove the mistake, or you can mail it in. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ MALDEN BOARD OF APPEAL PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Board of Appeal will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 6:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada), at Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant St., Room #106 Herbert L Jackson Council Chambers, Malden, MA on Petition 21-010 by Juan Chen for a variance of MCC 12.16.010 Table of Intensity Regulations- Chapter 12 of the revised Ordinances of 2020 as amended of the City of Malden – Namely – Dwelling – Single Family Dimensional Controls - rear yard setback (changing deck to 3 season porch) as per Plans RES-035782-2020 at the property known as and numbered 27 Beltran St, Malden, MA and also known by City Assessor’s Parcel ID #012-080-005 Additional information, Petition & plans available for public review in the Office of Inspectional Services, 215 Pleasant St., 3rd floor, Malden MA or online at www.cityofmalden.org or https://permits.cityofmalden.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService Nathaniel Cramer, Chair July 23 & July 30, 2021 ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ MALDEN PLANNING BOARD and MALDEN CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Planning Board and Malden City Council Ordinance Committee will jointly hold a public hearing in the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chamber, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, in accordance with Section 12.32.050 of Chapter 12 of the Revised Ordinances of 2020, as Amended, of the City of Malden, on the petitions for zoning amendments made in City Council Papers #232/2021 and #339/2021, to further amend the following sections of Chapter 12 of the Revised Ordinances of 2020, as Amended, of the City of Malden, as follows: I. Use Regulations (Section 12.12): to add new use regulations to establish an Inclusionary Zoning ordinance regarding affordable housing (CCP #232/2021). II. Use Regulations (Sections 12.12.030 and 12.12.090): to amend existing use regulations to prohibit Offsite Parking Facilities in the Residence A zoning district (CCP #339/2021). Full texts of the proposed zoning amendments (City Council Papers #232/2021 and #339/2021) are available for public review on the City of Malden website at https://cityofmalden.legistar.com/Legislation.aspx and with the City Planner, Inspectional Services, 3rd floor, and the City Clerk, 2nd Floor, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA. By: Kenneth Antonucci, Clerk Malden Planning Board July 23 & July 30, 2021 ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Perfectly located, one-owner Center Entrance Colonial features 8 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, spacious, fireplace living room, eatin kitchen open to dining room and front-to-back, 1st floor family room with slider to deck with trex flooring, hardwood flooring throughout, two car garage under with newer garage doors, large, level lot, located in desirable Howard Farms on great cul-de-sac. Come make this one your own! Offered at $699,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. By: Craig Spadafora, Chair Malden City Council Ordinance
19 Publizr Home