0960-0618 Explanation of Non-Substantive Changes

OMB No. 0960-0618

Internet Social Security Benefits Application (formerly ISBA; now called “iClaims”)

Explanation of Non-Substantive Changes

SSA is making several non-substantive changes to iClaims (formerly known as ISBA) to 1) simplify some questions and 2) ensure that applicants fully understand the implications of their selections.

To accomplish the above goals, we are making the following non-substantive changes:

Change 1: We created a “Reduced Benefits…” screen that will appear in certain situations immediately before the “When to Start Benefits” screen. The new screen will appear only when the person is within 12 months of full retirement age. It provides a clear opportunity for the individual to decide whether to choose reduced benefits, which is consistent with the existing ISBA application.

Asking this question is important because if an individual is working, the actual month that benefits could begin cannot be fully determined until after the end of the year, when the person’s earnings are known. If the person will accept reduced benefits, the system will offer month of election choices that will permit ongoing reduced benefits. If he or she chooses unreduced benefits, the system will prevent reduced benefits.

Change 2: We made several changes to the “When to Start Benefits” screen to simplify the explanation of the month of election choice. Also, in the “reason for retirement date” section, we added a selection to state that the person is no longer working.

Change 3: We added information to the “Restart” screen to inform the applicant of the dynamic nature of the application. If a person begins the application, but does not complete it until a later session in a future month, the default month of election may change. This can occur because the default month of election will be the date the person finishes the application. In this situation, the person still has the option of choosing the earlier month of election, but the default will be updated.

Please see the revised screen shots, attached in ROCIS as a supplementary document.