Q & A
I soon will be 60 years old and am afraid I will not qualify for widow’s benefits at that time. I was married to my husband for many years. But four years after he died, I married another man. That marriage was later annulled because of fraud on his part. Did that mistake mess up my chance to get my first husband’s Social Security?
Answer: Don’t worry. When you turn 60, you will be eligible for widow’s benefits on your first husband’s Social Security record. The fact that your second marriage ended (or because it was annulled, it legally never happened) is the key. The…
I’m a FERS employee nearing retirement. If I retire at age 58, I will have a family with a 13- and 16-year-old child at home. In using the Social Security calculator, they would factor in the benefits that I receive from Social Security. Does the special retirement supplement that I can receive at age 58 also calculate the age of children in determining benefit amount?
Answer: No, it does not. It’s based solely on the Social Security benefit you earned while a FERS employee, and is paid out of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Trust Fund. Source: FederalTimes.com Notice: The opinions expressed in these…
My wife, who is younger than me, is a retired federal employee with health insurance (FEHB: Blue Cross) that covers both of us. I will turn 65 this year. If I fail to take Medicare Part B within three months of turning 65, then I will have to: 1. Wait for open enrollment for Medicare and then six months; and 2. Pay a penalty for each year. When I called Blue Cross, they indicated that if my wife continues with her plan, there is no reason to take Part B. Social Security warns me about the 10 percent-per-year cost increase and the open enrollment period being three months and I have to wait until the following July. I am still working, basically self-employed. Any advice?
Answer: Your open enrollment period for Part B begins three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after that month. Whether you should enroll in Part B is entirely up to you. As I’ve repeatedly said, some do…
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 costs.
There are several financial assistance programs that can help Medicare beneficiaries who are having a tough time paying their out-of-pocket health care costs. Here’s what’s offered, along with the eligibility requirements and how to apply. Medicare Savings Let’s start with…
Can I receive Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits at the same time?
Answer: Answer: You may be able to receive SSI in addition to monthly Social Security benefits if your Social Security benefit is low enough for you to qualify for SSI. Whether you can get SSI depends on your income and resources…
I worked the first half of the year, but plan to retire this month. Will Social Security count the amount I earn for this year when I retire?
Answer: Yes. If you retire mid-year, we count your earnings for the entire year. We have a special “earnings test” rule we apply to annual earnings, usually in the first year of retirement. Under this rule, you get a full payment…
I need proof of my Social Security income. Can I get verification online?
Answer: Yes. The best way to get a benefit verification letter is by using a “my Social Security” account. A personal account is a secure way to check benefits and payment information, change addresses, phone numbers and direct deposit information. The site is…
I heard there is a Social Security video available in American Sign Language. Where can I find it?
Answer: The video is called “Social Security, SSI and Medicare: What You Need to Know About These Vital Programs.” Find it on our website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/multimedia/video/asl. Available in American Sign Language, the video presents important information about our programs. It is a…
Several years ago I applied for Social Security disability, was not approved, and returned to work for a while before recently stopping again. Can I file for disability again?
Answer: Yes, you can using a medical onset date, meaning the date when the disability began, after the timeframe covered by your earlier application. More importantly, you would again need to have enough work at the right time to be insured…
I’m turning 65 next year and plan to work for a couple more years. Should I apply for Medicare even though I have coverage through my employer?
Answer: This is an important question that affects a growing number of workers. In fact, data from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study (2006 to 2010) sponsored by the National Institute on Aging shows some eye-popping trends. According…