How Seniors Can Maximize Social Security Benefits

If you’re approaching retirement, you may be wondering how you can receive the highest Social Security check possible. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers monthly disability, survivors’ and retirement benefits to people who are no longer working. You may be eligible for more than one program. Here’s a little more information on how to know which program you’re eligible for, and when you should start drawing benefits: Disability vs. Retirement Social Security disability and retirement benefits are both offered by the SSA, but cannot be received at the same time. If you’re at your full retirement age (66-67 depending on
Continue reading2016 Guide to Social Security Benefits


Social Security is an important part of most Americans' retirement planning, so it's important to know how it works and how you can estimate your Social Security benefits. You should also understand your Social Security eligibility and how taking Social Security benefits before, at, or after full retirement age can affect your retirement income. 2016 Guide to Social Security Benefits How your Social Security benefit is calculated Unlike many pension plans, which are based on just the top few years of your earnings, Social Security takes your 35 highest-earning years into account when computing your benefit. Each year's income, up to the
Continue readingSocial Security Spouse Eligibility



Spouse Eligibility In order to receive benefits from Social Security, spouses do not need to have worked and paid SS taxes. The reason for this is that they qualify for the benefits on your record. At their full retirement age, a spouse can receive benefits equal to ½ of the full amount of benefits you receive. A spouse can start receiving benefits as early as age 62, but the amount will be permanently reduced by a percentage based on the number of months until his/her full retirement age. If your spouse is working but his/her benefits are lower than yours,
Continue readingSocial Security Makes Seniors Active Citizens



Social Security Makes Seniors Active Citizens Anyone who has been to a political gathering or tracked election-night statistics knows that America’s senior citizens are super-participators. More than younger adults, seniors regularly turn out to vote, make campaign contributions, and contact officials. It hasn’t always been this way. Decades ago, senior citizens were the least active age group. What changed? A major public program – Social Security – not only grew to provide economic security, but also helped turn older Americans into attentive, active, and politically effective citizens. How Social Security Encourages Seniors to be Active Citizens Social Security Grows into a
Continue readingWhat is Social Security?


What is Social Security? Social Security in the United States refers to the (OASDI) program, Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, which is the overall program that supports the following initiatives:What is Social Security? Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Unemployment benefits Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Health Insurance for Aged and Disabled (Medicare) Grants to States for Medical Assistance Programs (Medicaid) State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Social Security is a social insurance program funded through dedicated payroll taxes called Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Tax deposits are formally entrusted to Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
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