In a sign of the difficulties agencies have in moving away from legacy methods of doing business, SSA has reinstated, although only partially, its practice of sending benefits estimates through the mail.
SSA traditionally had sent an individualized benefit estimate annually to those not already drawing benefits, with the paperwork arriving a few months before the individual’s birthday. But several years ago in a move designed to both cut costs and take advantage of technology SSA stopped that practice, instead driving people to a Web feature (www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount) for getting such estimates.
However, there was a backlash from senior citizen groups and some members of Congress who argued that some people do not has ready access to the Web or simply prefer receiving paper statements. The compromise solution, recently announced, is to mail statements automatically every five years, beginning at age 25, to those who do not have an account at that site.
“We have listened to our customers, advocates, and Congress and renewing the mailing of the statement reinforces our commitment to provide the public with an easy, efficient way to obtain an estimate of their future Social Security benefits,” SSA said, while continuing to encourage use of the site.
