"Social Security Handbook" ?

[fffred]

It's just come to my attention (or maybe I forgot about it) that there is the "Social Security Handbook". It's available online as a pdf on the SS Administration's web site, https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.html

I've never received but It looks a lot like the the Medicare Handbook I get in the postal mail every year.

Is this something that all SS recipients are given? It seems a lot bigger than the Medicare Handbook. And I see bound copies for prior years available for sale. Walmart shows an upcoming 2021 Edition (to be available in May) for $85, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Social-Security-Handbook-2021-Overview-of-Social-Security-Programs-Paperb...

So, is something we get in the mail once we apply for benefits? Thanks.

Edit:   well, to answer my own question, apparently the answer is "no". The Handbook states:

"Is The Social Security Handbook Available In Paper Format?

No. The Social Security Handbook is no longer available in paper format; it is available online at: Social Security. "

Presumably there are private publishers who print this off for sale and distribution. rather than being printed by the Federal government.

well, I could delete my thread but maybe it will help others to have directions to that Handbook.

[fffred]

An update. I just ran across the "Social Security Handbook" while searching with Google for some SS info. I had forgotten about it again!

Anyway, the Handbook is still available at the same link. Probably updated since my last post though I'm sure that it is not "up to the minute". Certainly this Handbook should address questions that many people have about benefits, etc, so I am bumping up this thread for current reference.

The SSA site was modified within the past year or two and it seems like direct links to, or mention of, a lot of reference information is now omitted or difficult to find. I couldn't find any mention of the Handbook except by using the Search box. And of course if I didn't know the Handbook existed I wouldn't know to search for it. So I prefer the "old" site from up to a couple years ago.