Social Security numbers were created in a simpler time. Now, in the Internet age, there are better ways to identify people in a way that doesn't compromise security.

There are currently more than 1 million Americans waiting for a disability insurance determination from the Social Security Administration.

About 10.5 million people get disability benefits from Social Security. An additional 8 million get disability benefits from Supplemental Security Income, the disability program for low-income people who don't qualify for Social Security.

Delaying initiation of Social Security retirement benefits can substantially increase your monthly benefit.

One way to delay your benefits is to borrow against the equity in your home though a reverse mortgage.

This can be a risky strategy, but it may be worth examining if you don't have savings, but you have substantial equity in your home.

This post has very good answers to the following questions :

Q. I am 61 but want to work until age 70. What happens to my wife if I die before I start retirement benefits?

A. The wife will receive survivor benefits equal to your retirement benefit, less any benefit she may be receiving.

Q. Why wasn't I offered retroactive benefits?

A. Retroactive benefits can't be paid prior to age 66.

Q. I am raising a grandchild who has a father in prison and an irresponsible mother. Can the child get benefits on my record?

In this US Court of Appeals decision, the judges outlined the five-step process for assessing a claim for disability insurance benefits is spelled out in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v).

1. Alert the FTC's web site IdentityTheft.gov.

2. Request a credit freeze from the three major credit reporting agencies

3. Contact the fraud department of any company or agency that you think may have been contacted by the fraudster

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits may NOT be garnished by bill collectors.

However, Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) may be garnished in for student loan repayments, and child support.

If you receive an email from "Equifax", be very careful about clicking any links in the email. It could be a phishing attack.

As a result of the recent Equifax leak of 143 million Social Security numbers, criminals see the leak as an excuse to tempt people into clicking on "helpful" links from Equifax.

Be very careful about clicking links in emails that you receive.

Fast Facts About Social Security - 2017 Edition

* 66 million Americans receive Social Security benefits

* 5.5 million new Social Security beneficiaries in 2016

* 62 percent of aged beneficiaries received at least half their income from Social Security

* 54.2 is average age for Social Security disability beneficiaries

https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/fast_facts/2017/fast_facts17.pdf

After the massive security leak of 143 million Social Security numbers at credit reporting agency Equifax, the company has announced that it will not charge for "credit freeze" requests for the next 30 days.

Here's where you can sign up for a credit freeze at the big three reporting agencies :

https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp