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Social Security: Getting Your Annual Statement

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Overview of File Box 3In organizing our important documents, we have worked through Box 1 (personal documents) and Box 2 (insurance documents).

With an overview and a show-and-tell of Box 3 complete, I will begin sharing the contents of my file box 3 (retirement and investment documents) starting with the first category – Social Security Documents.

The Social Security Documents category contains the following documents which you may or may not have:

Social Security Documents

      • Annual Statements
      • Identification Cards
      • Photocopies of Identification Cards
      • Copies of checks for paid self-insurance tax

Getting your Annual Statement

If you are 25 years old or older and not receiving Social Security benefits, you should receive your annual statement via the U.S. Postal Service. Per the Social Security Administration’s website, the annual statements are mailed 3 months prior to the worker’s birth month.

Not sure of the accuracy of that information because I receive my Social Security Annual Statement about a month after my birthday. If my statement is mailed 3 months prior to my birth month, then the processing takes a long time, or Pony Express is still alive and well. 🙂

If you have not received your Social Security Annual Statement, you can access it online. Follow this link to the Social Security website. You will need to create an account to verify your identity.

To get your important documents organized to save money, energy, and time, start. You can begin at Box 1, Box 2, or right here as we tackle Box 3 week by week. To guide you along this journey, I will present a project each week to get your important documents organized, accurate, and complete. Are you ready to get organized?

Weekly Project: Get your Social Security Annual Statement.

Find it in your paperwork or obtain it on-line.

Next week, we will continue this journey reviewing your annual statement for accuracy. Keep organizing. I know your schedule is busy, school is back in session, and the paperwork pile remains.

In using time wisely to get your important documents organized you will save money (from paying for documents you already have), energy (searching for documents in a thick pile), and time (moving documents to find the right one). Start where you are, complete the weekly project, and happy organizing!

Question: Which box/file are you organizing? 

Show and Tell: File Box 3

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Overview of File Box 3Similar to shopping for the ingredients, finding a recipe, and gathering the pans, bowls, and utensils, preparing your filing system before adding documents gives you the tools to finish the project.

If last week’s file box 3 overview parallels preparing to cook a dish, then this week’s show and tell is like greasing the baking dish.

This file box 3, organized in the same fashion as file box 1 and file box 2, has multiple categories. As a sample of a way to setup this file, I present a pictorial show and tell of File Box 3 of my accordion filing system.

The closed accordion file box. Imagine this, file box 3 is missing its string. Yep, all three of my file boxes operate just fine without the string. When the strings were used, they got caught on other files until they finally snapped. Without the strings, I can access these files without getting caught on other boxes which saves time and energy. Though this accordion file is different now than when first purchased, I adapted the file to fit my style.

Show and Tell File Box 3

The opened accordion file box. In using time wisely, I choose not to label each of the 12 file slots. For me, more is not always better. To stay organized, I choose to only label the categories. I used the plastic inserts that came with the accordion file to write the category title, one category per label. Some categories expand into 2 or more file openings while others only use one slot. If you prefer to label each slot, then adjust these guidelines to fit your needs.

Show and tell File Box 3

Close-up look at the file tabs. In this file, I have used five tabs to identify the five categories in this retirement and investment file. To make the tabs easy to read, I have placed them in a row from left to right. The five categories identified in this box are:

      • Social Security Documents
      • Retirement Plan Documents
      • Investment Documents
      • Estate Planning Documents
      • Tax Records Documents

Show and tell File Box 3

Finding a system that works for you will aid in using time wisely. My file may contain more or less documents than you possess. I share my filing system to give you an organizational system framework from which to start. Please adjust this file to meet your needs.

As I cover each category, I will explain the retirement and investments Paul and I have chosen for our family. These are our choices. I am not a financial advisor, nor am I suggesting that you follow in our footsteps. My goal is to assist you in organizing your important documents.

This pictorial overview is the framework for all our important retirement and investment documents. Next week, I will begin working through file box 3 one category at a time. Come join me as we get these documents organized. Feel free to use this visual image to setup your own accordion filing system. Happy organizing!

Question: What object have you adapted to better meet your style?

Overview: File Box 3

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Overview of File Box 3Creating spaces for all your important documents clears the piles and clutter keeping you from making progress. I know it is easier said than done. I get it. But the freedom from rising above the paper clutter feels like a heavy weight lifted from your shoulders. Want that freedom? Then, let’s organize.

Maintaining a workable filing system requires trial and error. The key is workable, and what works for me will not necessarily work for you. Just keep in mind that making adjustments to better serve your needs is always better than following my system exactly.

In our document organization journey thus far, we have designated a home for personal and current items in Box 1, our insurance paperwork in Box 2, and now focus on retirement and investment records in Box 3. The filing system I have chosen houses our records in 3 blue accordion files.

Having written overviews for Box 1 and Box 2, I wanted to continue this series with an overview of Box 3. This third accordion file consists of 12 file openings. The following list indicates the categories and the number of file openings dedicated to each category in my file:

File Box 3

  • Social Security Documents (1)
  • Retirement Plan Documents (2)
  • Investment Documents (2)
  • Estate Planning Documents (5)
  • Tax Records Documents (1)

Using the labels provided with my accordion file, I simply write the category on the label and attach to first file opening of each category. To give you a visual image of this file box organization, I will post a show and tell of file box 3 next week.

As you continue organizing your important documents focus on a system that works for you. If the system looks great but remains disorganized or difficult to manage, then that system is not helping you in using time wisely. A workable system will save you time and energy as you organize. In using time wisely, get your system in place, and then go organize.

Keep going. If you are still working through Box 1 or Box 2, then take a break as you need it. Then come back and keep filing your important documents into your workable system. I just want to help you find a system that works for you, keeps your documents safe, and offers you freedom from your paper clutter while using time wisely. Happy organizing!

Question: How does your important document organization differ from my accordion filing system?

Credit Score: Credit Sesame (Free Experian Credit Score)

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Free Experian Credit Score

Photograph Credit: Credit Sesame

In last week’s 2012 Second Credit Report Update, I linked to my post on Quizzle for receiving a free Experian Credit report and score. Another option for receiving your Experian credit score is through Credit Sesame.

This financial management tool offers a big picture of your credit. For those who want debt management assistance, Credit Sesame users find these tools helpful. One of my favorite blogs, the Krazy Coupon Lady, offers a personal recommendation for Credit Sesame.

I find Quizzle quick and easy to get our free Experian report. But if you find Quizzle difficult to navigate or prefer another resource for your free Experian credit score, then check out Credit Sesame.

Both services are free to you. This means that there will be offers or advertisements to get your money. Just concentrate on your goal – checking your credit score. 😉

As you check your credit and your credit score, use the free options available to prevent identity theft while using time wisely. Happy reviewing!

Question: What do you think of these free services?

2012: Second Credit Report Update

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2012 Credit report update

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Dan Eriksson)

Thank you for a great week of What do you think? comments and opinions. I loved Shannon’s tip on air-drying her clothes, and Jen’s comment on trying a no electricity family night.

Thanks for reading Using Time Wisely and participating in the community of saving money, energy, and time.

With the Olympics in full swing, I know you are busy enjoying these special moments with your family. As you celebrate with these athletes, take a few moments to keep up your important documents file by requesting your second credit report of 2012.

If you are following my recommended schedule for requesting your credit reports, then check your previous year’s credit report. Wait at least one year since your last request to acquire your credit report for free.

In using time wisely, I request our reports every 4 (or 5) months. Oops! I got a little sidetracked this summer and requested our reports this past week. I requested Paul’s Equifax report and my Experian report.

Though the credit report request options include web site and mail, my preference is by phone. I already received Paul’s report on official Equifax letterhead, but mine has not arrived yet. When both reports arrive, I will do the following:

1. Review for errors,

2. Challenge discrepancies,

3. Run a free Experian credit score for Tracy,

4. Replace last year’s reports with these accurate reports with score in the first file slot of Box 1 of my important documents, and

5. Put file box away until October’s credit check.

Running the free credit reports keeps you informed of your active accounts and alerts you to any unauthorized new accounts. To protect your identity, request your credit reports on a rotating schedule while using time wisely. Happy requesting while watching your favorite Olympians!

Question: Which Olympic event is a must-see at your home?