Q & A
Understanding Retirement Dates for CSRS employees
Full Question: I plan to retire at the end of 2013. From what I am reading, if I retire on Jan. 3, the effective date of my retirement would be the next day, Jan. 4. Since the 4th is not within…
What are the implications of retroactively applying for Medicare Part B?
Full Question: In 1997, I retired from the federal government at age 58. I will soon be 74. When I became eligible for Medicare, I chose only Plan A, since most of Plan B would have duplicated my Blue Cross/Blue Shield benefits. …
How Do Divorce and Remarriage Affect Social Security Benefits?
Answer: It is common knowledge that husbands and wives are entitled to collect Social Security benefits on their spouses’ work records. Less well known is that this benefit applies to divorced spouses as long as the spouse has not remarried. Divorced…
I am a CSRS annuitant over 65 with Blue Cross/Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan as my Federal Employees Health Benefits insurer. My wife, who is turning 65 next month, and is covered under my FEHB has been served a notice that she will have $104.90 per month deducted from her Social Security benefit to pay for Part B. Is there something in the laws governing the FEHB program that requires covered spouses of retired federal employees to pay for Part B or forfeit benefits under the FEHB program?
Answer: No one is required to have Medicare Part B. If she doesn’t want that coverage, she needs to refuse it. Source: http://blogs.federaltimes.com – 11/12/2013
My wife and I plan on visiting the grandchildren over the winter, during which time my wife will turn 62. Can she apply for retirement benefits in another state, or do we have to wait until we get back home to apply for retirement at our local Social Security office?
Answer: These days, you don’t have to be near a Social Security office to apply for benefits. Regardless of where you and your wife are living or traveling, you can apply for retirement benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. It’s so easy to do,…
What are the benefit amounts for which a spouse may be entitled?
Answer: A spouse receives one-half of the retired worker’s full benefit if the spouse retires at full retirement age. If the spouse begins collecting benefits before full retirement age, we reduce those benefits by a percentage based on how much earlier…
How Does Social Security Consider Multiple Impairments When Making Disability Decisions?
Answer: Many applicants for Social Security disability benefits have several different medical issues that are preventing them from working. The Social Security Administration (SSA) must consider the combined effects of all your impairments, both severe and non-severe, in deciding whether you…
I’m a federal employee. If I receive a medical disability, do I pay the full Federal Employees Health Benefits premiums plus 2 percent?
Answer: Assuming that you are currently enrolled in the FEHB program, you would pay the same premiums in retirement that you are now paying as an employee. Note: If you are a Postal Service retiree, you’d lose the subsidy gained through…
What is Medicare Extra Help?
Answer: Part of Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage), Extra Help helps people with limited income and resources pay for part of their prescription drug coverage premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. Social Security administers the Extra Help program, even though…
How Does Social Security’s Lump Sum Option Work?
Answer: If you wait until after your full retirement age to claim your Social Security retirement benefits, there is a little-known rule that could entitle you to a large chunk of cash all at once. This provision enables retirees who meet this requirement…