Summertime is here, and for many people that means vacation. Some of the best vacations are the ones that allow you to spend time with family who live far away.

If you're planning to visit your kids and grandkids this summer, why not make the most of your time with them. You may already be savvy when navigating your way around a computer. But youngsters today who grew up on a computer can teach most of us some new tricks, and they'd probably be thrilled to share some online time with their grandparents. Ask them to pull out their tablet, iPad, or laptop and show you how to find your way around Social Security's Web site, www.socialsecurity.gov.

Ask them to show you how to use the site to avoid unneeded trips to a Social Security office. Have them show you Social Security's library of online publications containing all the information you might want on an array of Social Security, retirement, and Medicare subjects. The publications can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/index.html. If you're thinking about retirement, for example, you may want to check out When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html. (Unlike some libraries, there's no due date to remember.)

With the young ones helping you, you might as well go ahead and spend another 15 minutes to get the job done. No need to put on your shoes and sunglasses—you can apply online without having to leave home. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline, where you can apply for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. Once you click the "submit" button, you're done; in most cases there are no forms to sign or documents to mail in.

Here's a way to get the attention of the young ones: Ask them about Facebook and Twitter. Once they place you on Facebook, you'll have a new way of connecting with them. And did you know that Social Security is on Facebook and Twitter, too? Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click the Facebook and Twitter icons on the main page.

Visiting your kids and grandchildren can be a lot of fun. Make it productive, as well, by asking the young whiz-kid in your family about www.socialsecurity.gov.