Social Security's Open Government Plan Includes
Online Life-Expectancy Calculator
Also to introduce Spanish-language Retirement
Estimator and enhancements to Online service
April 9, 2010 – Social Security has released its
Open Government plan that includes three ground-breaking initiatives -
the Spanish-Language Retirement Estimator, Online Service Enhancement,
and an Online Life-Expectancy Calculator.
As part of its Online Service Enhancement
initiative, Social Security will unveil a new service-channeling tool
that will help people more easily find the information and services they
seek on the agency’s website
www.socialsecurity.gov, according to the announcement by Michael J.
Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security.
Access
to Agency Strategic Plan, Freedom of Information Act Report, as well as
program laws and regulations for Social Security; will publish its Open Government Plan in
April
The old twister joins Social Security in announcing
new “twist” in law making it easier to qualify for Extra Help with
Medicare prescription drug plan costs
A key feature will be the opportunity to go online
to schedule an in-office appointment for those who are unable to use our
online services to conduct all of their business.
This idea was
submitted by Christie Dickson, an employee of Social Security, and was
one of the finalists for the President’s SAVE award. In developing this
tool, the agency will collaborate with members of the public as well as
with industry experts.
Social Security’s Spanish-language Retirement
Estimator will be the agency’s and the federal government’s first-ever
non-English interactive Internet application -- a tool that furthers
transparency by offering the Spanish-speaking public an opportunity to
get instant, personalized estimates of future retirement benefits.
Last
year, over three million people used the English-language version of
this popular online service available at
www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
The agency also is developing an Online
Life-Expectancy Calculator -- a simple, but important tool to assist the
public with retirement planning. Many people substantially
underestimate life expectancy, and this new online service will add a
measure of accuracy to retirement planning by providing average life
expectancies at different ages based on the person’s gender and date of
birth, and drawing on assumptions provided in the annual Social Security
Trustees’ report.
“These initiatives signify Social Security’s
ongoing commitment to transparency, citizen participation, and
collaboration as we improve the services we provide to the public,” said
Commissioner Astrue.
“I look forward to continuing to translate the
values of open government into lasting improvements in the way the
agency makes decisions, solves problems, and addresses its challenges,”
he said.
“Social Security’s flagship initiatives will
improve our services and further break down barriers between the
American people and their government.”
Social Security encourages feedback on its Open
Government plan. To view the plan and share comments and ideas, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/open.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
April 9, 2010 – Social Security has released its
Open Government plan that includes three ground-breaking initiatives -
the Spanish-Language Retirement Estimator, Online Service Enhancement,
and an Online Life-Expectancy Calculator.
