oldsoldier's Blog

Years ago, I accompanied my Mother to the Social Security office to sign her up for benefits. Now my mom was one of those people who prepared for things, and she had all her documents with her, and was well prepared. Still, I remember waiting for a very long time before she was called to the interviewer's cubicle, and after we got there, neverending questions. In all, we spent the better part of a day there, before getting her signed up. So it was with a certain amount of hesitation that I went to the office, and there was wall to wall people. Then I saw a sign that said I could sign up online, so I went home. Still a little nervous about such  an important move trusted to unseen people on the internet, I logged on. In about twenty minutes, I hit the final "send" button, then printed out the list of documents I needed to show the clerk at the office. Two days later, still waiting for my DD214, from the army, I called to make an appointment. I gave the lady on the phone the information she needed to look up my records, and after holding a few seconds, she came back and said " Mr Oldsoldier, you are done! You don't need to come in, you will recieve a letter telling when you will get your first payment." I could not believe what I heard, and asked  her to repeat what she had said. Sure enough, that was it. Finally the government has got sometning right. So why am I writing this? First, I want to commend all those unseen people at Social Security, for doing a great job. Thanks to each and every one of them. And second, I would encouarge everyone, who needs to sign up for S.S. benefits, to try the online service. Some of us oldtimers are slow to accept new things, but when it works as well as this, we need to try it.

If you know someone who works at Social Security, or know someone who needs to sign up for benefits, please show them this blog or tell them about it. I'm sure they will appreciate it. Bye now.