Your Social Security from Creators Syndicate

'Simple' Math Behind Retirement Benefits Explained for 07/01/2009

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I just got my annual statement of projected Social Security benefits and it got me to wondering how Social Security retirement benefits are calculated. Can you explain?

A: The basic definition of a Social Security retirement benefit is relatively simple. It's a percentage of your average monthly income indexed for inflation over a 35-year time span. But as you might guess — this ...

Updated: Wed Jul 01, 2009

Follow These Tips to a Successful Disability Claim for 07/08/2009

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I was recently injured in a car accident that put me in the hospital for about two weeks. While there, a social worker suggested I apply for Social Security disability benefits because I won't be able to go back to work for quite a while. But a friend told me it takes two years to get government benefits. I figure why bother because I should be back to work by then. Is there any reason why I ...

Updated: Wed Jul 08, 2009

The Mythical 'Notch' for 07/15/2009

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I was born in 1919 and have been getting Social Security since I was 65. I recently heard that I'm getting less Social Security than I'm due because I was born in a "notch year." Can you explain what this is?

A: Gosh, I thought this issue finally had died a quiet death and gone away! It was a hot topic in the Social Security world about 15 years or so ago. But it's been off ...

Updated: Wed Jul 15, 2009

Working Out the Difference Between 'Apples and Oranges' for 07/22/2009

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I am 68 years old and get a supplemental Social Security check each month in addition to my regular Social Security. But it simply isn't enough money to live on. So I plan to get a part-time job. In a past column, you said that once people turn 66 years old, they can make as much money as they can without reducing their Social Security. But when I called Social Security's toll-free number, I ...

Updated: Wed Jul 22, 2009

Familiar Song Has Many Refrains for 07/29/2009

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: Both my husband and I are 61 years old. We've been married for almost 40 years. My husband's most recent Social Security statement said he can expect about $2,000 per month at age 66. My own age-66 Social Security benefit would be $1,200 monthly. We are trying to decide if we should retire and take reduced Social Security benefits at 62, or wait until age 66. I know you've discussed this iss ...

Updated: Wed Jul 29, 2009

Early Retirement Reduces Benefits for 08/05/2009

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I am 61 years old. My husband is the same age. I am thinking of taking my Social Security at 62. My husband intends to wait until he is 66. His Social Security is going to be much more than mine. I was planning on getting half of his benefits when he reaches age 66. But someone told me I won't get half of his if I take mine at age 62. Is this true?

A: Yes, it's true. If you take reduc ...

Updated: Wed Aug 05, 2009

One Day Can Make a Difference for Social Security Payments for 08/12/2009

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I will turn 62 on Dec. 2. A Social Security representative told me that my first Social Security check would be paid in January. So, I understand Social Security holds back one month's pay. But why did my friend have to return her mother's April Social Security check when she died on April 30?

A: Remember that old song, "What a Difference a Day Makes?" Well, you'll be hummin ...

Updated: Wed Aug 12, 2009

Widower Will First Receive Own Social Security Benefit for 08/19/2009

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I know Social Security pays benefits to widows. But how about widowers? If my wife dies, will I receive any monthly allotment on her Social Security account?

A: Only if her Social Security retirement benefit exceeds yours. Or to put it another way, only if your wife made more money than you did, thus making you partially dependent on her income.

As in all cases, the government ...

Updated: Wed Aug 19, 2009

Family's Benefits Subject to Maximum Limit for 08/26/2009

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I am a 44-year-old widow. I have two young children, ages 5 and 8, who are getting monthly benefits on their deceased father's Social Security account. I currently work full time. I would like to be able to stay home as a full- time mom to care for my kids. If I quit my job, would I be eligible for Social Security widow's benefits?

A: As a young widow with minor children in your care, ...

Updated: Wed Aug 26, 2009

Social Security Math for the Do-It-Yourself Crowd for 09/02/2009

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q. I recently started getting Social Security retirement benefits, but I don't think I'm getting the right amount. When I asked my Social Security representative to explain how the benefit was figured, she just said: "I really don't know. We let the computers do it!" Needless to say, I wasn't satisfied with that answer. Can you explain how Social Security benefits are calculated?

...

Updated: Wed Sep 02, 2009

'Social' Security Means What it Says for 09/09/2009

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q. In a past column, you said that Social Security pays higher benefits to poor people and lower benefits to rich people. This is just another example of social equalization, which is what's wrong with our country today. If you work hard all your life, the government does its best to take money away from you and give it to those lazy folks who never worked and don't deserve it. How can you just ...

Updated: Wed Sep 09, 2009

Examples of Rare Social Security Cutbacks for 09/23/2009

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

In the almost 75-year history of the Social Security program, I can cite hundreds of instances where new Social Security benefits were added or where existing benefits were expanded. But I can think of only a half-dozen times when benefits were actually cut. The questions in today's column highlight three of those cutbacks.

Q: My mother recently died. She was 78 years old and was getting ...

Updated: Wed Sep 23, 2009

Taking Care of Grandma Versus Fiscal Responsibility for 09/30/2009

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: Someone just told me that we are not going to get a Social Security increase next year. What is that all about?

A: Annual increases to Social Security benefits, called cost-of-living-adjustments or COLAs, are tied to the rate of inflation. For example, if inflation goes up 5 percent in one year, Social Security recipients get a 5 percent increase in their Social Security benefits the ...

Updated: Wed Sep 30, 2009

Social Security Scheme can Work for Some for 10/07/2009

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I am 66 and my wife is 62. Throughout our careers, I have made more money than my wife. So, I am due a higher Social Security benefit. However, neither of us has signed up for Social Security yet. A financial adviser just told us about a Social Security plan that sounds too good to be true. He said my wife could file for reduced retirement benefits now, and then I could file for spousal bene ...

Updated: Wed Oct 07, 2009

Your Number is Up for 10/14/2009

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: My employer recently contracted with a private company to do some kind of research into our insurance benefits. I was asked to supply this outfit with my Social Security number. I thought I remember reading somewhere that there are only three or four times when I am legally obligated to provide someone with my Social Security number. Do I have to give these folks my Social Security number?
Updated: Wed Oct 14, 2009

Going Back to Work can Boost Social Security Payments for 10/21/2009

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I started my Social Security when I was 62. I'm now 64 and have been offered a job that I am seriously considering. It would pay me quite a bit of money — way more than the Social Security earnings limit of $14,000. Can I stop my Social Security benefits? If I do, when I restart them, will I get credit for my additional earnings?

A: Yes, you can stop and restart your Social Secu ...

Updated: Wed Oct 21, 2009

Stay-at-Home Wife Should Stay Home for 10/28/2009

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: Both my husband and I are pushing 60 years old. My husband has always made very good money and has paid the maximum into Social Security. I have been a stay-at-home wife and mother all of my married life. I have about 30 quarters of Social Security coverage on my own record from work I did before we were married. So, I know I won't qualify for my own Social Security and will have to settle f ...

Updated: Wed Oct 28, 2009

Three Big Social Security Mistakes a Woman Can Make for 11/04/2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Mistake No. 1: Letting a man fill out your self-employment tax return:

Q: My ex-husband and I used to run our own business about 20 years ago. We did this for about five years. Now that I am about to turn 62 and am thinking of retiring, I'm paying more attention to my Social Security. And I've noticed that there are no earnings posted to my Social Security record for those five years whe ...

Updated: Wed Nov 04, 2009

Benefits to an Ex-Spouse Don't Impact Current Spouse for 11/11/2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Q: Can there be more than one woman collecting benefits as a spouse on the same man's Social Security record? In other words, if a man was married twice (or even more) and retires, can his ex-wives get part of his Social Security? And how does that impact the current wife?

A: Yes, more than one woman can receive spousal benefits on the same man's Social Security record. The law says a di ...

Updated: Wed Nov 11, 2009

A Back-Door Plan to Keep Disabled Daughter on Medicaid for 11/18/2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Q: My husband is turning 66 and will soon apply for Social Security retirement benefits. He's scheduled to get about $2,000 per month. We have a 35-year-old daughter living at home who has been severely retarded since birth. She currently gets $900 in monthly SSI payments. I am 58 years old and have stayed home all my adult life to care for our daughter. So, I never worked to earn my own Social Se ...

Updated: Wed Nov 18, 2009