Entertainment icons George Takei and Patty Duke have teamed up to tell Americans to Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov to apply for retirement, disability, Medicare, and so much more. The two celebrities are joining forces in a new campaign to help the Social Security Administration promote its online services as an easy and secure way for people to do business with the agency.

“Social Security has a great website and the top-rated online services in the U.S.,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “We now have a fun new way to get the word out. Having George join forces with Patty will help us reach the millions of people who can take advantage of this convenient way of doing business with Social Security. Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov to plan for your retirement and to apply online so that you too may live long and prosper.”

“Won’t filing for Social Security benefits online be confusing?” George asks Patty in one of eight new commercials. “It’s simple and easy,” Patty assures George. “It’s so easy, even Kirk could do it.”

Those ready to retire, apply for disability benefits, or delay retirement and apply only for Medicare, can do so from the comfort of their home or from any computer. Two million people took advantage of Social Security’s convenient online benefit applications last year.

People already receiving Social Security benefits can go online to let Social Security know about a change of address or phone number, start or change direct deposit, get a proof of income letter, or replace a lost Medicare card.

Social Security’s website “is for everyone,” Patty tells George in another spot. Workers can get an online estimate of their future retirement benefits and use Social Security’s planners to plan for a secure retirement. In addition, Patty says, “Young people can help their grandparents with retiring online or getting extra help with their Medicare prescription drug costs.” To which George concludes, “Everyone, of all ages, should go to www.socialsecurity.gov.”

Social Security’s online services not only provide a convenient option for the public, they are a lifeline for the agency in a time of fast growing workloads as baby boomers begin retiring in record numbers and millions more need Social Security’s services due to the economic downturn.

To learn more about Social Security’s online services and to view the new George Takei and Patty Duke public service announcements, Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov. Like George, you may find yourself saying, “Oh my!”