Q & 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 am a retired CSRS Offset and will be turning 62 in a few months. Since the Office of Personnel Management will be calculating my benefits, and I will be collecting Social Security, will OPM send out paperwork for re-establishing retirement benefit choices such as survivor benefits?
Answer: No. That’s because you don’t have any choices. Your annuity will be reduced by the amount of Social Security benefit you earned while covered by CSRS Offset, whether or not you apply for a Social Security benefit. If you were…
I have an appointment to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). What kind of information will I need to take with me?
Answer: To help make the application process go quickly and smoothly, you should bring: Your Social Security number; Your birth certificate or other proof of your age; Information about the home where you live, such as your mortgage, or your lease…
What are the rules for getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? I’m thinking about applying based on my disability.
Answer: To be eligible to receive SSI benefits, you must be disabled, blind, or age 65 or older and have limited income and resources. Income is money you receive such as wages, Social Security benefits, and pensions. Income also includes…
I think my parents made a bad choice when my dad started taking Social Security at 63. Mom is younger, still working, and in great health. According to her statement from Social Security, her benefits will be a fifth of his so I think she would benefit from a higher widow’s benefit. Can they undo his selection?
Answer: Their options depend on his current age. If it has been less than 12 months since he claimed benefits, he can stop his payments and pay back all of what he has received. By doing this, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will treat…
I have a duplex and rent out part of it. Will rental income affect my SSA retirement?
Answer: Only your gross wages or net income from self-employment is considered for annual earnings test purposes. Read more… Source: Howard I. Kossover, Social Security Administration Public Affairs Specialist Notice: The “Read more…” link provided above connects readers to the full text…
How many people work and pay into Social Security?
Answer: In 2010, about 157 million workers had earnings taxable under the Social Security program. Of these about 140.4 million had only wages, 10.4 million had only self-employment income, and 6.2 million had both. Combined these earnings totaled $5.32 trillion, which includes…
My wife is age 60, retired, and has medical insurance through my work policy. My work contract ends this summer and I plan to retire then, being over age 65 with Medicare coverage. Will my Medicare cover my wife also?
Answer: No, for two reasons. First, Medicare provides individual coverage only. It does not have family coverage. Second, age based Medicare cannot begin until age 65. Read more… Source: Howard I. Kossover, Social Security Administration Public Affairs Specialist Notice: The “Read more…” link provided…
How do I get a Social Security number for my newborn?
Answer: A very easy and popular method used by many new parents is the voluntary Enumeration at Birth (EAB) process. Enumeration at Birth starts while still at the hospital. Using it, the state agency that issues birth certificates sends the child’s birth registration information…
What is Medicare “Extra Help”?
Answer: Part of the Medicare prescription drug (Part D) program, the Extra Help low income subsidy can help pay for parts of Part D monthly premiums, annual deductibles and co-payments. If on Medicare, people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or medical assistance…