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May questions and answers from Social Security

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[May 11, 2011]  Question: I can’t seem to find my Social Security card. Do I need to get a replacement? 
Answer:

In most cases, knowing your Social Security number is enough.  But if you do apply for and receive a replacement card, do not carry that card with you.  Keep it with your important papers. For more information about your Social Security card and number and for information about how to apply for a replacement, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. If you believe you’re the victim of identity theft, read our publication Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html.  

Question:

My husband doesn't have enough work under Social Security to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits or Medicare. But I am fully insured and eligible. Can he qualify on my record? 
 

Answer:

Yes. The answer applies to husbands as well as wives. Even if your spouse has never worked under Social Security, he (or she) can, at full retirement age, receive a benefit equal to one-half of your full retirement amount. Your husband is eligible for reduced spouses benefits as early as age 62, as long as you are already receiving benefits. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov and select the “Retirement” tab.  If your spouse will receive a pension for work not covered by Social Security such as government employment, the amount of his or her Social Security benefits on your record may be reduced. For more information, read the fact sheet, Government Pension Offset, Publication No. 05-10007 at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10007.html.  


 
RETIREMENT 


Question:

What can Social Security do to help me plan for my retirement?

Answer:

Social Security has some great online financial planning tools you can use to make an informed decision about your retirement. Social Security's online Retirement Planner and our online Retirement Estimator are both tools you can access online at any time. These will let you compute estimates of your future Social Security retirement benefits. They also provide important information on factors affecting retirement benefits, such as military service, household earnings, and Federal employment. You can access our Retirement Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2. Find the Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.  
 

Question:

How long does a person need to work to become eligible for retirement benefits?  
 

Answer:

Everyone born in 1929 or later needs 40 Social Security “credits” to be eligible. You can earn up to four credits a year. So, you will need at least 10 years of covered employment or self-employment to become eligible for retirement benefits. During your working years, we post earnings covered by Social Security to your record. You earn credits based on those earnings. The amount of earnings needed for a credit rises as average earnings levels rise. In 2010, and 2011, you receive one credit for each $1,120 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits a year. For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.  
 
DISABILITY 
 

Question:

I understand that to get Social Security disability benefits, my disability must be expected to last at least a year or be expected to result in death. I am disabled now; does this mean that I must wait a year after becoming disabled before I can receive benefits? 
 

Answer:

You do not have to wait a year after becoming disabled. If you’re disabled and expect to be out of work for at least a year, you should apply for disability benefits right away. It can take months to process an application for disability benefits. If we approve your application, your first Social Security disability benefit will be paid for the sixth full month after the date your disability began. For more information about Social Security disability benefits, refer to Disability Benefits (Publication No. 05-10029) at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10029.html.  
 

Question:

I get disability benefits. I would really like to try to work again, but I can’t risk losing my medical coverage. I understand Social Security’s Ticket to Work might let me try working without endangering my benefits. What can you tell me about it? 
 

Answer:

Ticket to Work is a voluntary program that offers disabled Social Security beneficiaries a variety of choices in obtaining the support and services they need to help them go to work and achieve their employment goals. If you receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits based on disability or blindness and would like to work or increase your current earnings, this program can help you get vocational rehabilitation, training, job referrals, and other ongoing support and services to do so. For more information, visit our Ticket to Work website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work.  
 
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SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME 
 

Question:

What is the difference between Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability? 
 

Answer:

Social Security is responsible for running two major programs that provide benefits based on disability.  Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on prior work and the taxes you pay into the Social Security program.  To be eligible for a SSDI benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work to be "insured" for Social Security purposes.  SSDI benefits are payable to eligible blind or disabled workers, the widow(er)s of a disabled worker, or adults disabled since childhood.  SSI disability payments are made on the basis of financial need to adults or children who are disabled or blind, have limited income and resources, meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise eligible.  SSI is a program financed through general revenues.  For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).  
 

Question:

Are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits taxable?

 

Answer:

No.  Unlike Social Security benefits, which may be subject to income tax, SSI payments are not subject to Federal taxes, and you will not receive an annual form SSA-1099.  For more information, see Supplemental Security Income (Publication No. 05-11000), visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).  
 

MEDICARE 
 

Question:

What can I do if my Medicare prescription drug plan says it won't pay for a drug that my doctor prescribed for me?

 

Answer:

If your Medicare prescription drug plan decides that it won't pay for a prescription drug, it must tell you in writing why the drug isn't covered in a letter called a "Notice of Denial of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage." Read the notice carefully because it will explain how to ask for an appeal. Your prescribing doctor can ask your Medicare drug plan for an expedited redetermination (first level appeal) for you if the doctor tells the plan that waiting for a standard appeal decision may seriously harm your health. For more information, visit www.medicare.gov. 

 

By Judith Bartels

Social Security District Manager in Springfield, IL  

 

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