http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net What is Social Security? Social Security is a federal government program that was created to provide benefits for working Americans and their families. en-us Tue, 21 May 2013 08:43:27 CDT Tue, 21 May 2013 08:43:27 CDT http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/ What is Social Security? Social Security is a federal government program that was created to provide benefits for working Americans and their families. Tue, 21 May 2013 08:43:27 CDT http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151020/Post-retirement---Change-in-Marital-Status... Change in Marital Status Background: Marriage and divorce can affect benefit entitlement under public and private plans. Some of these effects may not be well understood. For example, a woman sometimes can maximize her Social Security benefits by first applying as a widow or divorced spouse, later applying at age 70 for benefits credited on her ... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151021/Post-retirement---Needs-of-Family-Members... Unforseen Needs of Family Members Background: Many retirees find themselves helping other family members including parents, children and grandchildren. Retirement planning should recognize any obligation to assist such family members. A change in health, employment or marital status may upset such plans and call for greater personal or financial ... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151022/Post-retirement---Bad-Advice,-Fraud,-or-Theft... Bad Advice, Fraud, Or Theft Background: Retirees and surviving spouses may lack financial skills and judgment, especially at advanced ages if mental capabilities decline. They often are preyed upon because of their substantial assets and fading cognitive skills. Friends and relatives may be unqualified to advise them about some issues or even ha... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151023/Post-retirement---Longevity-Risk... Longevity Risk – Outliving Your Retirement Resources Background: Managingyour own retirement funds over a lifetime has many pitfalls, even with expert help. Nobody knows how long the money must last. Life expectancy at retirement is an average, with about half of retirees living longer and a few living past 100. Planning to live to a... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151025/Post-retirement---Inflation-Risk... Inflation Risk Background: Inflation should be an ongoing concern for anyone living on a fixed income. In the recent era of relatively low inflation, workers may not remember the double-digit inflation rates of 1947, 1974 or 1979-81. Even low rates of inflation can seriously erode the financial well-being of retirees who live many years. Social ... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151026/Post-retirement---Interest-Rate-Risk... Interest Rate Risk Background: Lower interest rates tend to reduce retirement income in several ways: • Workers must save more to accumulate an adequate retirement fund. • Retirees earn less spendable income on investments such as CDs and bonds; any income reinvested earns lower rates. • Payout annuities yield less income when l... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151027/Post-retirement---Stock-Market-Risk... Stock Market Risk Background: Stock market losses can seriously reduce one’s retirement savings. But common stocks have substantially outperformed other investments over time, and thus are often recommended for retirees’ long-term investments as part of a balanced investment allocation strategy. Predictability: Individual stocks ris... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151029/Post-retirement---Business-Risk... Business Risk Background: Loss of retirement funds can occur if: • An employer pension plan sponsor goes out of business. • An insurer that is providing annuities becomes insolvent. • Assets held in a participant’s defined contribution plan account lose value. Risk of such loss depends on the individual’s investment ... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151030/Post-retirement---Employment-Risk... Employment Risk Background: Many retirees plan to supplement their income by working at a bridge job part-time or full-time. Today’s jobs often make few physical demands, and may even be done at home. Some organizations prefer to hire older workers because of their stability and life experience. But success in the job market may also call ... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151031/Post-retirement---Public-Policy-Risk... Public Policy Risk Background: Policy risks include these possible changes: • Increase in taxes (income, property, sales, etc.). • New kinds of taxes such as a consumption tax or value-added tax. • Reduction in entitlement benefits from Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. • Increase in retiree contributions for Medicar... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151032/Post-retirement---Unexpected-Health-Care... Unexpected Health Care Background: Unexpected health care costs are a major concern. Employers continue to cut back on post-retirement health care benefits. Low-income retirees may spend a large percentage of their resources on health care. Medical technology improvements that extend life may increase health care costs. Predictablity: Health c... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151033/Post-retirement---Lack-of-Facilities-or-Caregivers... Lack of Available Facilities or Caregivers Background: Facilities or caregivers sometimes are not available for acute or long-term care, even for private paying individuals. Couples may be unable to live together when one of them needs a higher level of care, thereby increasing cost and emotional stress. Predictability: Individuals may want to... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151034/Post-retirement---Loss-of-Ability-to-Live-Independently... Loss of Ability to Live Independently Background: Changes can be sudden, tied to an illness or accident, or gradual, perhaps linked to a chronic disease. Multiple problems are common when physical or mental capabilities decline. Predictablity: The percentage needing help rises substantially with age, but changes in individual cases often... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151035/Post-retirement---Change-in-Housing-Needs... Change in Housing Needs Background: Special housing for the elderly provides a range of services including help with activities of daily living and sometimes with ongoing health care too. Housing that includes care can be quite costly. Some housing focuses on care for specific diseases or conditions. The most appropriate form of housing for an i... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/151036/Post-retirement---Death-of-a-Spouse... Death of a Spouse Background: The death of a spouse is a major change in family situation that is often accompanied by a decline in economic status: • Some income may stop at the death of a spouse or former spouse. • The death of a disabled person’s caregiver spouse may bring financial problems at a very difficult time. • ... 2011-12-24 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137229/What-Is-Social-Security... What Is Social Security & How Does It Benefit You? Social Security benefits you and your family because Social Security can help you with your retirement income, provide assistance if you are disabled, and helps provide financial security for your family when you die. Social Security is based on the plan that while you work, you pay taxes in... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137233/Social-Security-2012... Social SecurityPayments In 2012 There is good news for Americans that receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits because there will be a Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) increase for 2012. It was recently announced that the the COLA increase for 2012 will be 3.6%. The increase in payments will begin December 30,... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137235/Social-Security-Administration... The Social Security Administration (SSA) The Social Security Administration (SSA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that manages the Social Security program. Social Security isan insurance program that provides retirement, survivors benefits, and disability. American workers pay Social Security taxes on ... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137270/Social-Security-Appeal... Social Security Appeals If you applied for Social Security benefits and your application was denied, you do have the option to appeal that decision. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does want to make sure that every decision the agency makes regarding a Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim is accurate. When the S... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137271/Social-Security-Attorneys... Social Security Attorneys and How They Can Help You If you are denied on your initial Social Security claim, a qualified Social Security disability attorney can provide representation and help you with your claim for continuing and past due social security benefits or even back pay. Initial claims are typically denied 60 to 70 percent of the time,... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137272/Social-Security-Benefits... Social Security Benefits - Are You Eligible? Do you know if you or your family are eligible to receive Social Security benefits? Find out if you qualify for disability benefits, retirement benefits or survivors benefits. As you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn “credits” that count toward your eligibility for Social Secur... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137273/Social-Security-Death-Master-File... Social Security Death Master File (DMF) This Death Master File (DMF) is maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and contains over 86 million deaths that have been reported to the SSA. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the SSA is required to disclose the Death Master File to the public. The SSA provides the database throu... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137274/Social-Security-Disability... Social Security Disability Insurance If you can't work because you have a disability, you are essentially forced into retirement. Unfortunately this is probably not the type of retirement that you were planning on. If you take the time to learn how Social Security Disability (SSD) can help you, then your retirement due to a disablity is something ... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137275/Social-Security-Eligibility... Social Security Eligibility Are you eligible to receive Social Security benefits? The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides you with an easy to use, fast, and secure online eligibility tool. The Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool simply known as BEST, helps you determine which Social Security benefits you might be eligible to receive. ... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137276/Social-Security-Numbers-&-Cards... Social Security Numbers and Social Security Cards What is a Social Security Number? A Social Security Number or SSN is a unique nine-digit number that is assigned to a citizen of the United States or a lawful, work-authorized immigrant. The benefits you receive from Social Security are based on the earnings your employer (or you, if you a... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137277/Social-Security-Online... Social Security Online The Internet allows you to conduct a lot of your Social Security tasks online. The Social Security Administration (SSA) Web site provides you with a quick, easy, and secure way to submit applications, determine if you are eligible for benefits, locate and submit forms, change your contact information, estimate your retireme... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137278/Social-Security-Retirement... Social Security Retirement Benefits - Are You Eligible? What is the earliest age you can get Social Security retirement benefits? The earliest age at which you can begin getting Social Security retirement benefits is 62. The 1983 Social Security Amendments included a provision for raising the retirement age beginning with persons born in ... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137280/Social-Security-Survivors-Benefits... Social Security Survivor Benefits - What Happens After You Die? As you plan for the future, you'll want to think about what your family would need if you should die now. Social Security can help your family if you have earned enough Social Security credits through your work. If you die before certain members of your family, some of your survivor... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137285/Social-Security-Verification... Social Security Verification There are two ways that you can verify your employee names and Social Security numbers to match Social Security records. Both of these Social Security verification procedures can be conducted through the Internet. The first Social Security verification option is to verify up to 10 names and Social Security Numbers (SS... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137288/Social-Security-&-Medicare... Social Security and Medicare - How Are They Related? Social Security and Medicare are entirely different programs but they are related. If you receive Social Security benefits you may automatically qualify for Medicare. People that get Social Security benefits and meet one of the following criteria will also be covered by Medicare Parts A and B.&... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137290/Social-Security-&-Your-Future... Social Security And Planning For The Future One of the reasons that many people are having a hard time with either considering retirement or wondering if Social Security benefits will pay for their bills, is that they have gone into debt by borrowing and spending more money than they make. Unfortunately, many banks and credit card companies took ... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137292/Special-Veterans-Benefits... Special Veterans Benefits Under the Social Security Act, certain World War II Veterans can receive Special Veterans Benefits. You may be eligible for Special Veterans Benefits if you served in the active U.S. military from September 16, 1940 - July 24, 1947. This also includes Filipino veterans that served in the Philippine military from July 26,... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/articles/137293/Supplemental-Security-Income-(SSI)... Supplemental Security Income (SSI) What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and are you eligible? Supplemental Security Income is a Federal program that supplements the income of eligible participants. SSI is funded by general tax dollars and not Social Security taxes. The Supplemental Security Income program was set up to help people on a lim... 2011-04-19 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/headlines/news/Social Security Social Security News Headline :What is Social Security? Social Security is a federal government program that was created to provide benefits for working Americans and their families. Tue, 21 May 2013 08:43:27 CDT http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/resources/partners Other Resources :What is Social Security? Social Security is a federal government program that was created to provide benefits for working Americans and their families. Tue, 21 May 2013 08:43:27 CDT http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479009/-Social-Security:-Find-Retirement-Goodies-on-The-Internet... Eggs have long been a symbol of new life in the spring. In America, the Easter egg hunt finds its roots in the 1700s when German immigrants brought the tradition to Pennsylvania. Today, the traditional egg hunt thrills children everywhere.... Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:50:25 -0700 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479010/-Senator-seeks-Social-Security-number-restriction... JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri employers would be barred from identifying workers by the last four digits of their Social Security numbers under a bill in the state Senate. Missouri law already prohibits an employer from using a worker's entire Social Security number for ID purposes. Republican Sen. Luann Ridgeway, of Smithville, says even using ... Thu, 05 Apr 2012 06:38:18 -0700 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479011/-Social-Security:-Website-offers-hunt-for-valuable-eggs... Eggs long have been a symbol of new life in the spring. In America, the Easter egg hunt finds its roots in the 1700s when German immigrants brought the tradition to Pennsylvania. Today, the traditional egg hunt thrills children everywhere.... Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:11:53 -0700 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479012/-12-FAQs-to-get-the-most-from-Social-Security... Retirement » 12 FAQs On Social Security BenefitsDr. Don Taylor, Ph.D., CFA, CFP, has been advising Bankrate readers for 13 years. A topic that frequently comes up is Social Security. People want to know ...... Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:03:45 -0700 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479013/-Should-we-wait-to-take-Social-Security?... Dear Dr. Don, I am 60, and my wife is 62½. We both worked and will get our own Social Security benefits. My benefit at 62 will be $1,500, and hers is $1,100. I am still working, and she is recently retired with a pension. Money to live on is not an issue.... Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:02:45 -0700 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479014/-12-FAQs-on-Social-Security-benefits... Dr. Don Taylor, Ph.D., CFA, CFP, has been advising Bankrate readers for 13 years. A topic that frequently comes up is Social Security. People want to know the best strategy for claiming Social Security benefits, or they just want to know how it works.... Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:17:22 -0700 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479015/-European-hackers-suspected-in-Utah-Medicaid-files-breach... A data security breach at the Utah Health Department, believed to be the work of Eastern European hackers, has exposed 24,000 U.S. Medicaid files bearing names, Social Security numbers and other private ...... Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:36:05 -0700 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479016/-Mo.-senator-seeks-Social-Security-number-restriction... Missouri employers would be barred from identifying workers by the last four digits of their Social Security numbers under a bill in the state Senate.... Thu, 05 Apr 2012 06:12:27 -0700 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479017/-Pastor-charged... FOXBORO - The pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was charged Wednesday with attempting to scam four elderly people out of their Social Security checks in three other states by telling them they were lottery winners.... Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:19:21 -0700 http://www.whatissocialsecurity.net/news/1479018/-Rep.-Silvestre-Reyes-takes-shot-at-budget-proposal-that-would-affect-Social-Security... Congressman Silvestre Reyes on Tuesday attacked a Republican budget proposal he said would throw many elderly people relying on Social Security into poverty.... Tue, 03 Apr 2012 23:11:20 -0700