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eNews: Social Security eNews August 2003

Aug 13, 2003

Here's a hot issue of eNews to enjoy during the dog days of summer. If
you
have a laptop, this could be a great beach read! This month we'll tell
you
about our new facts and figures book and about one grandmother's return
to
work. And we'll modestly note another birthday for Social Security and
kudos we've received for being one of the most accountable agencies in
government. Finally, we have something fun for the kids. Scroll on
down!

A glance at this issue of eNews:

-- NEW FACTS AND FIGURES BOOK AVAILABLE
-- WILLIE GOES BACK TO WORK
-- OUR BIRTHDAY
-- MOST ACCOUNTABLE AGENCY AROUND
-- CHILDREN LEARN THE VALUE OF SAVING


NEW FACTS AND FIGURES BOOK AVAILABLE

Did you know that more than 46 million people get benefits from Social
Security? Or that 64 percent of older Americans get at least half of
their
income from Social Security? Another 6.8 million people get
Supplemental
Security Income, or SSI. These statistics and many other facts and
figures
can be found in our annual chartbook, "Fast Facts And Figures." The
online
version of the 2003 edition can be found at the following link.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/
WILLIE GOES BACK TO WORK
For seven years, Willie Jenkins struggled to cope with her illness.
This
grandmother had worked in the past in a variety of jobs - machine
operator,
key punch operator, cashier - but there came a time when she could no
longer
function productively. Her doctor diagnosed her with a severe chemical
imbalance and anxiety disorder. She applied for and started getting
Social
Security disability benefits. She did all she could to cope, but she
was
depressed and missed the satisfaction and economic security that work
had
once provided.

When her doctor prescribed new medication, Willie was able to keep her
symptoms in check. Soon, she felt up to the challenge of returning to
work.
She remembered receiving a "Ticket to Work" in the mail from Social
Security
months before. She found it, and discovered that her Ticket to Work
was
just the ticket to get her back in the workforce. "It seemed too good
to be
true," Willie said. "Here I wanted to go back to work, and Social
Security
was telling me I could - and still keep my health insurance. They also
told
me that I could have my benefits reinstated quickly if I tried to work
but
was unable to handle it."Now Willie works as a personal care assistant at a large retirement
community. She loves her job, providing help and companionship to the
residents.Maybe the Ticket to Work program can help you find a career that you
love,
too. Find out by visiting our Work Site.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/
Social Security eNews
Published August 2003
Issue 44

To read our illustrated online version, go to
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/enews/last.htm


Here's a hot issue of eNews to enjoy during the dog days of summer. If
you
have a laptop, this could be a great beach read! This month we'll tell
you
about our new facts and figures book and about one grandmother's return
to
work. And we'll modestly note another birthday for Social Security and
kudos we've received for being one of the most accountable agencies in
government. Finally, we have something fun for the kids. Scroll on
down!

A glance at this issue of eNews:

-- NEW FACTS AND FIGURES BOOK AVAILABLE
-- WILLIE GOES BACK TO WORK
-- OUR BIRTHDAY
-- MOST ACCOUNTABLE AGENCY AROUND
-- CHILDREN LEARN THE VALUE OF SAVING


NEW FACTS AND FIGURES BOOK AVAILABLE

Did you know that more than 46 million people get benefits from Social
Security? Or that 64 percent of older Americans get at least half of
their
income from Social Security? Another 6.8 million people get
Supplemental
Security Income, or SSI. These statistics and many other facts and
figures
can be found in our annual chartbook, "Fast Facts And Figures." The
online
version of the 2003 edition can be found at the following link.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/


WILLIE GOES BACK TO WORK

For seven years, Willie Jenkins struggled to cope with her illness.
This
grandmother had worked in the past in a variety of jobs - machine
operator,
key punch operator, cashier - but there came a time when she could no
longer
function productively. Her doctor diagnosed her with a severe chemical
imbalance and anxiety disorder. She applied for and started getting
Social
Security disability benefits. She did all she could to cope, but she
was
depressed and missed the satisfaction and economic security that work
had
once provided.

When her doctor prescribed new medication, Willie was able to keep her
symptoms in check. Soon, she felt up to the challenge of returning to
work.
She remembered receiving a "Ticket to Work" in the mail from Social
Security
months before. She found it, and discovered that her Ticket to Work
was
just the ticket to get her back in the workforce. "It seemed too good
to be
true," Willie said. "Here I wanted to go back to work, and Social
Security
was telling me I could - and still keep my health insurance. They also
told
me that I could have my benefits reinstated quickly if I tried to work
but
was unable to handle it."

Now Willie works as a personal care assistant at a large retirement
community. She loves her job, providing help and companionship to the
residents.

Maybe the Ticket to Work program can help you find a career that you
love,
too. Find out by visiting our Work Site.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/


OUR BIRTHDAY

On Aug. 14, 2003, Social Security celebrates its 68th anniversary. For
nearly seven decades, we've been providing income security against loss
of
wages due to retirement, disability or death for millions of workers
and
their families. As the most successful government domestic program in
our
nation's history, Social Security remains an American cornerstone. To
take
your own stroll down Social Security's memory lane, visit our history
page.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/history/
MOST ACCOUNTABLE AGENCY AROUND

For the fifth year in a row, Social Security has been recognized by the
Association of Government Accountants as one of the most accountable
government agencies. The prestigious "Certificate of Excellence in
Accountability Reporting" is the highest form of recognition in federal
government financial management reporting, and it was awarded to us
this
year for our "Fiscal Year 2002 Performance and Accountability Report."
Six
other federal agencies received the award this year, but Social
Security is
honored to be the only federal agency to receive this award every year
since
the program began.

To see the report that won the award, visit the link below.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/finance/

CHILDREN LEARN THE VALUE OF SAVING

It's never too early to start teaching our children the value of saving
for
the future. Teaching children the importance of saving today to buy
that
coveted toy tomorrow will help them develop the skills and attitude to
save
for larger items in the future - such as college, a car, a house and
even
for their own retirement. That's why we offer a kid's page as a fun
way for
children to learn about Social Security and saving for the future.
With
school out for the summer, now is the perfect time to direct your
children
to our kid's page. With the help of a turtle, crow, lion, grasshopper,
pig
and Social Security card, your kids will have fun while they learn some
valuable lessons.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/kids/kids.htm
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