Q & A
Are there any programs that you know of that help seniors with their Medicare expenses?
Full question: Are there any programs that you know of that help seniors with their Medicare expenses? I’m 67 and live primarily on my Social Security, and am having a hard time paying my Medicare premiums, deductibles, co-pays and prescription drug…
If I receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability, what is the effect on my benefits when I take seasonal work?
Answer: Even a small amount of earned wages can cause a deduction in your SSI payment. However, it takes substantial work to make your benefits stop. In 2013, a person who receives SSI can earn up to $1,505 a month and…
Is there any legal way around the windfall elimination provision if you have only the 40 quarters of Social Security?
Full question: Is there any legal way around the windfall elimination provision if you have only the 40 quarters of Social Security. My pension was reduced nearly 50 percent because of this act. My wife collects Social Security. Could I…
I am 52 and would like to retire at 55. At that point, I will have 35 years in CSRS. I also have 36 quarters in Social Security as I worked a part-time job in college and other points in my life. Will I receive Social Security benefits with less than 40 quarters, and if so at what level? Also, if I go back to work as a contractor after I retire from federal service and get my additional quarters, what would be the impact when the windfall elimination provision kicks in?
Answer: No, you can’t receive Social Security benefits with less than 40 credits. To find out how the windfall elimination provision would affect you if you were eligible for a Social Security benefit, first go to http://ssa.gov/pubs/ENS-05-10045.pdf. Then use the…
Does the “IRMAA” income rule to Medicare Part D affect you?
Full question: I am 68 and have been on Medicare for three years with the same $0 premium Medicare Advantage HMO that has Medicare Prescription Drug plan included, but recently I received a letter from Social Security stating that I will…
I am a 30-year-old widow receiving Social Security survivor benefits because my young children receive benefits through their father’s work record. If I returned to work, would it lower my benefits?
Answer: It might, depending on the amount you earn because of the annual earnings test. Survivor benefits to a widow or widower of any age can be paid if a child of the deceased, receiving Social Security survivor benefits and under…
I am 50 years old, and I just learned that Social Security stopped mailing the annual benefit estimate to people. My neighbor told me that I have to set up an account online if I want to get the information. I suppose I could visit the office to get the estimate. Other than saving me the time to wait in line for the estimate, what are reasons should I set up a Social Security account?
Answer: Even if you are not receiving Social Security benefits, you can access your personal account information online. This includes viewing your actual earnings record. The earnings posted to your record are used to compute your future benefits, so you want to…
I am CSRS and on the verge of retirement with 40 years at age 66. I do not have 40 qualifying quarters for Social Security entitlement. My former spouse will be getting a portion of pension. She is Social Security-qualified. Will her Social Security payments be offset by the amount of my pension she receives because of the windfall elimination provision?
Answer: Your situation will have no effect on her earned Social Security benefit. However, because you’ll be receiving an annuity from CSRS, a retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, any spousal Social Security benefit to which you would…
I was honorably discharged from the Air Force in September 1992 under the Voluntary Separation Incentive program. I had 16½ years of service. I have received VSI payments each year since, and am due about 12 more payments. Can I buy back my military time and retire at the end of the year with 30 years of service (16½ military plus 13½ civilian)?
Full question: I was honorably discharged from the Air Force in September 1992 under the Voluntary Separation Incentive program. I had 16½ years of service. I have received VSI payments each year since, and am due about 12 more payments. In…
My mom is in a nursing home because she needs more care than I can give her at home. After next month, she will have only her IRA to use for payments. She gets $471 in Social Security as her only income. This pays for her telephone, bills, going to dinner or a movie with a friend on the weekend, and other miscellaneous expenses. I was told when her money is under a certain amount, Medi-Cal will pay for her nursing home care. Before this happens, do we have to break her IRA to use to pay for the nursing home, or can Medi-Cal take over before that? Also what happens to her Social Security and any savings she has?
Answer: It’s good that you wrote us because many people in your mother’s situation would simply cash in their IRA or other retirement accounts when they don’t need to. Under the eligibility rules for Medi-Cal skilled nursing home benefits, your mother,…