No matter how far away you are from retirement, it's important to understand your Social Security benefits - and there's a particularly good reason to do it now.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is bringing back annual paper benefits statements for the first time in three years. It stopped in 2011 to save money on printing and postage, but Congress and consumer advocates complained that workers needed better access to their data. In September, the agency reversed its decision and announced it's resuming the practice of mailing paper statements to workers in two categories:

• Those who are not receiving benefits and are within three months of turning 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60. (After age 60, workers will receive a statement every year.)
• Those who still haven't registered for a My Social Security (www.ssa.gov/myaccount/) online account.

Why is this important? First, if you've paid into the Social Security and Medicare system, you should understand the benefits you've earned. Second, as the SSA has been closing field offices and reducing services to the public, despite the fact that Baby Boomers are starting to flood the system. It's a good time to confirm and correct benefits due to the longer wait times on the agency's toll free telephone line and field offices.

Start by waiting for your next paper benefits statement or sign up at My Social Security website to review your current data. Here's a quick overview of what your statement tells you:

• Introduction and your estimated benefits. This section covers four categories. The first is your retirement benefits, which are based on your age when you start drawing them. The calculations are based on three critical ages as examples: 62 (the earliest age you can draw retirement benefits), 67 (the full retirement age for anyone born after 1960) and age 70 (the oldest anyone can start drawing benefits, generally at the highest level if you can wait). The second is disability, which refers to the amount of your monthly disability benefit if you qualify. Third, your family/survivors benefits if a loved one dies. And lastly, your Medicare eligibility and the particular facts to support that conclusion.
• Your Earnings Record. This is a summary of your earnings that you need to verify for accuracy. Pull your annual tax returns as far back as you can to confirm this information, and if you work with a tax or financial planning professional, double-check their conclusions if you plan to challenge any errors with the SSA.
• Some Facts About Social Security. Provides additional definitions and guidelines to better understand your statement and includes key contact information.

Most experts will tell you that when it comes to retirement, time is your biggest ally - it gives you the opportunity to invest, save and adjust your plan strategy. Use your statement to do the following:

• Spot and correct errors. If you and your tax professional spot disparities in your benefit statement make careful notes, gather your evidence and consult the SSA's contact page (www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/) to start the correction process remotely or in person.
• Blend Social Security into a broader retirement plan. Most experts agree Social Security alone won't provide a comfortable retirement. It's never too late to plan.

Bottom Line: Even if you're years away from retirement, make sure you understand your Social Security benefits, and that they're accurate and fit into a broader financial plan for your retirement.

November 2014 (Davenport, IA) Gilda's Club invites women with breast cancer and their caregivers to a national patient education program. This thoughtful and comprehensive empowerment program streamlines information for women diagnosed with breast cancer to emphasize options and tools for decision-making around breast reconstruction.

This free workshop will have information on breast reconstruction after a breast cancer diagnosis. Come learn about:

• Breast reconstruction and non-reconstruction options

• How to make a decision that is right for you

• Medical factors that can influence your decision

• How to prepare for and what to expect after surgery

Our featured speaker is Dr. Stephen Bayne, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Dr. Bayne is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who was born and raised in the Midwest. Dr. Bayne has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College graduating in June 1984, he attended University of Illinois, College of Dentistry graduating in June 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dentistry. He atteneded Rush Medical College and completed his medical training in June 1990 with a doctorate in medicine. Dr. Bayne completed seven years of surgical residency: in 1990 to 1995 he attended Akron City Hospital for General surgery and in June 1995 to 1997 he completed his Plastic Surgery training from Summa Health Systems, Akron Ohio. He served as Chief Resident in General Surgery as well as in Plastic Surgery. Dr. Bayne is Board Certified by The American Society of Plastic Surgery.

This workshop is free of charge and dinner is provided.

November 20th at 6:00 pm at Gilda's Club 1234 East River Drive, Davenport, IA

Please call Gilda's Club to register at (563) 326-7504

The Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa are launching their thirty-fourth annual Cent-A-Gallon Day for Camp Courageous on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.  One-cent out of every gallon of petroleum product sold on the day before Thanksgiving by participating marketers will go to Camp Courageous.

Camp Courageous is a year-round recreation and respite care facility for individuals with disabilities. Run on donations, nearly 7,000 are served annually.

On this day, participating Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores will give thanks by contributing one-cent from every gallon of petroleum product to Camp Courageous. "The day before Thanksgiving was picked 34-years ago," according to Charlie Becker, the camp's executive director, "because both Camp Courageous and the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores felt we have an awful lot to be thankful for and it was the perfect time to give thanks for all our blessings."  

Posters will be displayed in the windows of participating Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores to distinguish them as participants.  The Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa encourage everyone to join with their local petroleum marketer to give thanks this Thanksgiving, by helping Camp Courageous on the day before.

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We are encouraging the media throughout the state to once again get involved with their local petroleum marketer and convenience stores by pumping gas or cleaning windows on Cent-A-Gallon Day. This gives the customer, an advertiser (or potential advertiser), and families in need, a good feeling about your interest in helping Iowa's nearly 7,000 individuals with disabilities that come to camp each year. Thank you for your consideration.