“Social Security: What You Need to Know” is the title of a free, one-hour public workshop April 19 in the Tacoma area for anyone anticipating or currently receiving Social Security benefits.

Presented by representatives of Social Security and Pierce County Community Connections Aging and Disability Resource Center, the workshop is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. at Pierce County Library System’s Summit branch, located at 5107 112th St. E.

Workshop participants are encouraged to open an online Social Security account at socialsecurity.gov/my account and print and bring their statement as part of learning about changes in benefits. The workshop, led by Social Security public affairs specialist Kirk Larson, will cover strategies that can maximize benefits, including when to begin receiving benefits and the advantages of making claims based on spousal work history. Participants will also learn the rules about working while receiving benefits.

“Congress made significant changes to the Social Security program starting in 2016. “Current and future beneficiaries need to know what’s coming,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Aging and Disability Resources for the county.