Q & A
I have been working for the federal government for just over five years. I am in need of my third spinal surgery. This one will be a doozy and will put me out of commission for over a year, and I will no longer be able to sit comfortably, which will make it impossible to do my eight-hour desk job. According to Social Security, I would qualify for full disability, but I have not applied yet. Would I be eligible for both Social Security disability and the early disability retirement under FERS being only 41? If so, which is done first: surgery, Social Security or retirement?
Answer: You only have to have 18 months of FERS service to be eligible to apply for disability retirement. If you do that, you must also apply for Social Security disability benefits. Otherwise, the Office of Personnel Management won’t process your…
Are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments only paid to people with disabilities?
Answer: No. SSI payments also are made to people who are blind or who are age 65 or older — as long as they meet all the qualifications including having low income and limited resources. SSI benefits are available for both…
Can I ask for a new decision about my Medicare Part B income-related monthly adjustment amount?
Answer: Sometimes something will happen in your life that affects your income. You can request a new decision if any one of the following happened and the change will make a difference in the income level we consider: you have gotten…
Where Do I Apply for Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors?
Answer: Disability benefits from the Social Security Administration for wounded warriors are different than those paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). You will need to complete a separate application. SSA expedites claims for military service members who became disabled…
Long-term disability insurance vs using retirement savings in the event of permanent disability?
Full Question: My husband is 54 and is looking at purchasing long-term dbl ins. His financial advisor said it would be wiser to invest the money elsewhere and to rely on retirement savings that don’t have a tax/penalty consequence in the…
I am in CSRS offset, and I am eligible to retire now. I turned 66 on April 8. I started collecting Social Security benefits as of Jan. 1 and continue to work. How will my retirement calculation change when I retire? Most, but not all, of the Social Security benefits were earned while I was under CSRS offset. I copied the following excerpt from “Ask the Experts”: “In the year you reached your full retirement age, it would be reduced by $1 out of every $3 you earned. After that, there wouldn’t be any reduction.” I don’t understand what will be reduced from my Social Security or my retirement when I retire?
Answer: The quote applies to the Social Security earnings test. Once Social Security recipients reach their full retirement age, they can earn as much as they want from wages or self-employment without it affecting that benefit. On the other hand, when…
Refund on Medicare?
Full Question: I am a retired disabled military member who works in the federal government. Since I am retired, I did not opt for any of the Federal Employees Health Benefits, as I am covered through Tricare as well as the…
How did the new budget agreement affect the special retirement supplement? I am a letter carrier and am planning on retiring in 18 months with 27 years of service at age 60.
Answer: The special retirement supplement avoided the budget ax and will continue to be payable to eligible FERS retirees. Source: Reg Jones, FederalTimes.com – January 2, 2014
My husband will turn 65 next year and go on Medicare and Tricare for Life. Will my Tricare coverage continue until I turn 65 a year later, or should I enroll in my company’s health insurance program for 2014?
Answer: As the spouse of a military retiree, you will never lose Tricare eligibility as long as you remain married. You may stay on whatever Tricare plan you currently use (most likely Tricare Prime or Standard) until you also reach age…
Is it true that my child can receive Social Security benefits based on my earnings record?
Answer: Your child–whether he or she is your biological child, adopted child, or stepchild–may be able to receive Social Security monthly benefits based on your earnings record if you’re receiving disability or retirement benefits from Social Security, or in the event…