Social Security 101
- 1. Social Security 101 www.socialsecurity.gov Women Managing the Farm Conference Manhattan, Kansas February 6, 2015 Presented by Jenee Hopper
- 2. • Retirement Benefits • Disability Benefits • Survivor’s Benefits • MySocialSecurity Accounts • What You Can Do Online? • Apply Online for Medicare – Even if You Are Not Ready to Retire. • Electronic versions available www.ssa.gov SSA Publications
- 3. A Foundation for Planning Your Future OTHER INCOMEOTHER INCOME SAVINGS & INVESTMENTSSAVINGS & INVESTMENTS PENSIONPENSION SOCIAL SECURITYSOCIAL SECURITY
- 4. You need to work to earn Social Security “credits” Each $1,220 in earnings gives you one credit You can earn a maximum of 4 credits per year Example: To earn 4 credits in 2015, you must earn at least $4,880. Earning 40 credits (10 years of work) throughout your working life will qualify you for a retirement benefit. How Do You Qualify for Benefits?
- 5. Deciding what is the ‘right’ age to retire Check online Social Security Statement How working after retirement can affect benefits Medicare considerations How to apply online for benefits Thinking of Retiring?
- 6. Your Age at the Time You Elect Retirement Benefits Affects the Amount At age 62, you get a lower monthly payment At your full retirement age, you get your full benefit You get an even higher monthly payment if you work past your full retirement age If You’re a Worker and Retire
- 7. Full Retirement Age Year of Birth Full Retirement Age 1937 or earlier 65 1938 65 & 2 months 1939 65 & 4 months 1940 65 & 6 months 1941 65 & 8 months 1942 65 & 10 months 1943 – 1954 66 1955 66 & 2 months 1956 66 & 4 months 1957 66 & 6 months 1958 66 & 8 months 1959 66 & 10 months 1960 or later 67
- 8. You Can Work & Still Receive Benefits Note: If some of your retirement benefits are withheld because of your earnings, your benefits will be increased starting at your full retirement age to take into account those months in which benefits If You Are You Can Make Up To If You Make More, Some Benefits Will Be Withheld Under Full Retirement Age $15,480/yr. ($1,290/mo.) $1 for every $2 The Year Full Retirement Age is Reached $41,400/yr. ($3,450/mo.) $1 for every $3 Month of Full Retirement Age and Above No Limit No Limit
- 9. Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov It is the most convenient way to apply; SAFE, SECURE, and Easy Call Social Security to schedule an telephone or in-office appointment 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778); or How Do I Apply for Retirement Benefits?
- 10. What Will You Need When Applying for Your Social Security Benefits? Social Security number for each applicant Proof of Age (only if date of birth allegation doesn't match Social Security records) Latest W-2 or self-employment tax return Earnings estimate Bank RTN and account number Information about marriages/divorces Information about military or railroad service
- 11. In Addition to the Retiree, Who Else Can Get Benefits? Your Child Not married under 18 (under 19 if still in high school) Not married and disabled before age 22 Your Spouse Age 62 or older At any age, if caring for a child under age 16 or disabled
- 12. In Addition to the Retiree, Who Else Can Apply for Benefits? Your Ex-Spouse Marriage lasted at least 10 years Ex-spouse 62 or older Divorced at least two years and you and your ex-spouse are at least 62, he or she can get benefits even if you are not retired Ex-spouse’s benefit amount has no effect on the amount you or your current spouse can get
- 13. Spouse’s Benefit Computation Benefit is 50% of worker’s unreduced benefit Reduction for early retirement If spouse’s own benefit is less than 50% of the worker’s, the benefits are combined Does not reduce payment to worker
- 14. Your Online Account ... Your Control ... www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount my Social Security is an easy-to-access, easy-to-use portal to view and update some my Social Security my
- 15. A valid E-mail address; A Social Security number; and A U.S. mailing address. Who Can Create a my Social Security Account? You must be at least 18 years old and have:
- 16. If you don’t get benefits, you can— View, save, and print your online Social Security Statement. If you do get benefits you can— Get your benefit verification letter; Check your benefit and payment information and your earnings record; Change your address and phone number; and Start or change your direct deposit. my Social Security Services
- 17. Your Online Social Security Statement Provides Estimates of the retirement and disability benefits you may receive; Estimates of benefits your family may get when you receive Social Security or die; A list of your lifetime earnings according to Social Security’s records; The estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid; Information about qualifying and signing up for Medicare; and A printable version of your Social Security Statement.
- 18. Who Can Get Survivors Benefits? Your Child if: Not married under age 18 (under 19 if still in high school) Not married and disabled before age 22 Widow or Widower: Full benefits at full retirement age Reduced benefits at age 60 If disabled as early as age 50 At any age if caring for child under 16 or disabled Remarriage after age 60 (50 if disabled)
- 19. Widow or Widower Benefit Computation At full retirement age, 100% of deceased worker’s unreduced benefit At age 60, 71.5% of deceased worker’s unreduced benefit Reduced benefits on one record at age 60, reduced or unreduced benefit on other record at age 62 or older Full benefits to both widow or widower and divorced widow or widower
- 20. Social Security’s Disability Definition: A medical condition or combination of impairments preventing substantial work for at least 12 months, or expected to result in death. The determination also considers age, education & work experience.
- 21. Who Can Get Disability Benefits? Must have paid into Social Security five out of last 10 years For younger workers, under age 31 less work is required
- 22. Applying Online for Disability Benefits Social Security offers an online application for adults to apply for disability benefits. It’s the most convenient way to apply. www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits
- 23. Advantages of Applying Online for Disability You can: Apply for yourself or for someone else; Provide all the information at once or over several sessions, in the setting of your choice; Use the “more info” links if you need help answering a question; Print or save a copy of what you submit; Send the information electronically; and Check the status of your application online after you submit it.
- 24. Who Can Apply Online for Disability You can apply online for disability benefits if you: Are age 18 or older; Have a medical condition or combination of impairments that has prevented you from working or is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or end in death; and Reside in the United States or one of its territories or commonwealths.
- 25. About 1/3 of people who get Social Security pay income taxes on their benefits. At the end of each year, you’ll receive a Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099). Use this statement to complete your Federal income tax return to find out if you have to pay taxes on your benefit. Your Benefits Can Be Taxable
- 26. 65 & older -or- 24 months after entitlement to Social Security disability benefits -or- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis -or- Permanent kidney failure and receive maintenance dialysis or a kidney transplant Who Can Get Medicare ?
- 27. When Can I Sign Up for Medicare Part B? Initial – at age 65 Special – if still working General – January-March Medicare Enrollment Periods:
- 28. Medicare Has Four Parts Part A - Hospital Insurance Covers most inpatient hospital expenses 2013 deductible $1,184 Part B - Medical Insurance Covers 80% doctor bills & other outpatient medical expenses after 1st $147 in approved charges 2013 standard monthly premium $104.90
- 29. Medicare Has Four Parts Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans Health plan options offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies When you join a Medicare advantage plan, you can get the benefits and services covered under Part A, Part B, and in most plans, Part D Part D – Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Covers a major portion of your prescription drug costs Your out-of-pocket costs—monthly premiums, annual deductible and prescription co-payments—will vary by plan You enroll with a Medicare-approved prescription drug provider not Social Security
- 30. Complete the Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (Form SSA-1020). Here’s how: Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020/start Call Social Security to apply over the phone or request an application at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Apply at your local Social Security office Social Security will review your application and send you a letter to let you know if you qualify How Do I Apply for Extra Help?
- 31. For More Medicare Information 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY 1-877-486-2048 www.medicare.gov
- 32. The Affordable Care Act President Obama signed Affordable Care Act into law March 23, 2010. Key parts of Affordable Care Act took effect January 1, 2014. If your employer doesn’t offer health insurance, you can buy insurance directly in a new competitive “Marketplace.” Every plan will offer comprehensive coverage— from doctors to medications to hospital visits.
- 33. The Affordable Care Act The Marketplace lets you compare health plans in plain language. Visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.HealthCare.gov now to get information about how the Affordable Care Act can help you. You may call the following toll free number to get your Marketplace questions answered by a customer service representative available 24/7: 1-800-318-2596 (TTY:1-855-889-4325).
- 34. Social Security’s Online Services www.socialsecurity.gov What You Can Do Online? MySocialSecurity Accounts Retirement, Disability, and Medicare Applications Appeal Unfavorable Disability Decisions Change of Address and Phone Number Start or Change Direct Deposit Retirement Estimator Medicare Card Replacements
- 35. • Quick Calculator • Rough estimate when you input your date of birth and this year's earnings. • Online Calculator • Input your date of birth and your complete earnings history to get a benefit estimate. You may project your future earnings until your retirement date. • WEP Online Calculator • If you are eligible for a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security • Detailed Calculator • This calculator provides the most precise estimates. It must be downloaded and installed on your computer • Retirement Estimator * All calculators assume you have enough credits to apply for benefits. * SSA Online Calculators
- 36. Go Mobile with Social Security • In May 2013, we launched a mobile version of our website for smartphone users. • Learn about our most popular programs, services, publications, frequently asked questions, social media, and more. • All you need to know is www.socialsecurity.gov. on your smartphone.
- 37. Thank You For Your Attention! Any Questions? 877-840-5741 Local Office 9am-3pm 800-772-1213 7am-7pm