Social Security: There’s A Lot More Than Meets the Eye
Social Security is big…and complicated. There are more than 2700 separate rules that govern who gets what, and there are thousands of pages of documentation (called the Social Security Administration Program Operations Manual System (POMS)) in support of these rules. The myriad details and supporting interpretations “help explain” the complexities introduced by the program’s “if then this, else then that” navigational aids and the exceptions that accompany so many of the basic regulations, rules, and statutes that can quickly befuddle those approaching the maze for the first time. Yes, it’s big and yes, it’s complicated.
So, for those aging in to Social Security eligibility–and in some case for those already receiving benefits–it becomes critical to have a basic understanding of the more common attributes of the program. Karin Price Mueller, founder of NJMoneyHelp.com and www.nj.com contributor, knows this well, and has created a post (titled “What you need to do to maximize your Social Security benefits“) outlining 10 fundamental details that everyone involved with Social Security needs to know. In addition to explaining many of the program’s key metrics and how they affect one’s benefits, her article includes some interesting historical details about this key senior benefit program. Check out her nj.com post here…
Also, for those who have a need for guidance on how Social Security’s rules apply to their specific personal situation, know that the AMAC Foundation offers a free-to-the-public service through which individuals can interact with a certified Social Security Advisor and have their questions answered. Learn more about this service via the Foundation’s website, www.AmacFoundation.org. We look forward to hearing from you!