Oscar Winning Actress Applies Online for Social Security and Medicare Benefits

Social Security Law - Federal News December 19, 2011

Baltimore, Maryland - Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke, who just turned 65, has tried applying online for retirement and Medicare benefits from home at the agency’s website: www.socialsecurity.gov, a statement released by the agency said.

The SSA has also uploaded a video showing Duke and her husband, Mike Pearce as they both sat down at the kitchen table, turned on their laptop, and applied for their retirement and Medicare benefits.

SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue said the video aims to show fellow baby boomers that going online is the easiest way to apply for benefits.

In 2009, Duke reprised her roles as the identical cousins, Patty and Cathy Lane from the Patty Duke Show, for a series of PSAs promoting Social Security’s online services.

In 2010, she also teamed up with other Patty Duke Show cast members for an additional set of spots. Earlier this year, she teamed up with entertainment icon George Takei to encourage people to use the agency’s website. In the three years since Duke has volunteered her time with Social Security, millions of people have visited the agency’s website and the percentage of online retirements has more than doubled, the statement said.