TN 11 (11-20)

NL 00722.155 Medicare - Only Beneficiary Notices

A. Description of Medicare-Only Beneficiary Notices

  • We send automated notices to Medicare-only individuals 1 month before Full Retirement Age (FRA) informing them that they can receive unreduced benefits at FRA. (See NL 00722.155B.)

  • We send automated notices to Medicare-only individuals 5 months before age 70 attainment to remind them (1) to apply for Social Security benefits; and (2) to inform them that at age 70 they can no longer earn delayed retirement credits. (See NL 00722.155C.)

  • We send automated follow-up notices at age 70 and 4 months to those who did not respond to the first notice. (See NL 00722.155D.)

  • In May 2010, we sent a one-time catch-up notice to individuals who had already reached FRA but have not yet attained age 70. (See NL 00722.155B.)

  • In January 2018, we sent a one-time catch-up notice to individuals who had already reached age 70. (See NL 00722.155D.)

 

B. Example – FRA Notice and One-Time Only Notice

 


Social Security Administration

Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance

Important Information    
SOCIAL SECURITY Street Address

City, State ZIP

Date: MONTH DD, YYYY BNC#: XXXXXXXXXXXXX-T

Claimant Name Street Address City, State ZIP

You may be thinking about applying for Social Security retirement benefits. You should decide when to start receiving retirement benefits based on your individual and family circumstances. This letter gives you information to help you make this important decision. It also explains that the easiest way to apply is by going online at www.socialsecurity.gov/retireonline , our secure website.

Deciding When to Retire

Figuring out the best time to collect your retirement benefits is a personal decision. In some cases, the month you choose could mean higher benefits for you and your family.

Your full retirement age is 66. At full retirement age, you can start receiving unreduced benefits.

If you are full retirement age or older, you can work and receive your monthly Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn.

You may also decide to wait until a later age. If you choose to delay receiving your benefits, your benefit will increase by 8 percent for each year you do not receive benefits up to age 70. Your benefits will no longer increase when you reach age 70.

Please see the enclosed fact sheet for more information to help you decide when to retire. You can also go to our Retirement Estimator at www.ssa.gov/estimator on the Internet.

When You Decide to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits

Once you decide on the best age to start collecting retirement benefits, you must file an application. After you apply we can decide if you qualify for benefits. You may apply for retirement benefits up to 3 months before the month you want your benefits to start.

Why You Should Complete Your Application Online

Applying for retirement benefits online is secure, quick, and easy. You can apply at www.socialsecurity.gov/retireonline on the Internet.

  • You can save time by applying from home or another convenient location.

  • You can apply now. You do not have to wait for an appointment with your local Social Security office.

  • We ensure the confidentiality of information you send through our website.

Other Ways to Apply

If you do not have Internet access, you can apply by phone or visiting your local Social Security office . Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY number, 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to schedule an appointment.

An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you have to wait.

Suspect Social Security Fraud?

Please visit http://oig.ssa.gov/r or call the Inspector General's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101).

If You Have Any Questions

We invite you to visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov on the Internet to find general information about Social Security. If you have any specific questions, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local Social Security office at __________. We can answer most questions over the phone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. You can also write or visit any Social Security office. The office that serves your area is located at:

Street Address City, State ZIP

If you do call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions. Also, if you plan to visit an office, you may call ahead to make an appointment. This will help us serve you more quickly when you arrive at the office.

Social Security Administration

Enclosure: Retirement Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Fact Sheet

C. Example— 5 Months Before Age 70 Notice

 


Social Security Administration

Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance

Important Information
SOCIAL SECURITY Street Address

City, State ZIP

Date: MONTH DD, YYYY BNC#: XXXXXXXXXXXXX-T

Claimant Name Street Address City, State ZIP

We are writing to tell you that you should apply now for monthly Social Security retirement payments.

You Can Earn Special Work Credit Only Until Age 70

You can increase your Social Security retirement benefits by a certain percentage (depending on date of birth) if you delay your retirement beyond full retirement age. The benefit increase no longer applies when you reach age 70, even if you continue to delay taking benefits.

You can work and receive your monthly Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn.

What You Should Do

You should contact us right away to apply for your retirement benefits. You need to complete an application before we can decide if you qualify to receive benefits. For your convenience, you can apply at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retireonline on the Internet.

If you do not have Internet access, you can:

• Call us at the number shown below between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to schedule an appointment; or

• Visit your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you have to wait.

Suspect Social Security Fraud?

Please visit http://oig.ssa.gov/r or call the Inspector General's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101).

If You Have Any Questions

We invite you to visit our website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov on the Internet to find general information about Social Security. If you have any specific questions, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local Social Security office at ______. We can answer most questions over the phone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. You can also write or visit any Social Security office. The office that serves your area is located at:

Street Address City, State ZIP

If you do call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions. Also, if you plan to visit an office, you may call ahead to make an appointment. This will help us serve you more quickly when you arrive at the office.

Social Security Administration

D. Example — Age 70 and 4 Months Follow-up Notice

 


Social Security Administration

Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance

Important Information                                
SOCIAL SECURITY Street Address

City, State ZIP

Date: MONTH DD, YYYY BNC#: XXXXXXXXXXXXX-T

Claimant Name Street Address City, State ZIP

Several months ago, we sent you a letter urging you to apply for monthly Social Security retirement payments. We told you that you should apply because the benefit increase no longer applies when you reach age 70, even if you continue to delay taking benefits. We are writing to you again because we have not heard from you.

You can work and receive your monthly Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn.

What You Should Do

You should contact us right away to apply for your retirement benefits. You need to complete an application before we can decide if you qualify to receive benefits. For your convenience, you can apply at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retireonline on the Internet.

If you do not have Internet access, you can:

  • Call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY number, 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment; or

  • Visit your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you have to wait.

Suspect Social Security Fraud?

Please visit http://oig.ssa.gov/r or call the Inspector General's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101).

If You Have Any Questions

The most convenient way to contact us anytime, anywhere, is to visit at www.socialsecurity.gov. If you do not have Internet access, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local Social Security office at (877) 803-6320. We can answer most questions over the phone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. You can also write or visit any Social Security office. The office that serves your area is located at:

Street Address City, State ZIP

If you do call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions. Also, if you plan to visit an office, you may call ahead to make an appointment. This will help us serve you more quickly when you arrive at the office.

Social Security Administration

E. Reference

GN 00203.070, Medicare – Only Beneficiary Notices


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0900722155
NL 00722.155 - Medicare - Only Beneficiary Notices - 11/30/2020
Batch run: 11/30/2020
Rev:11/30/2020