Social Security News

Social Security Q&A: How to Maximize BenefitsA spousal benefit is

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:25:03 -0500

Social Security Q&A: How to Maximize Benefits
A spousal benefit is one that is based upon the earnings record of your spouse as opposed to your own. If one member of a couple worked in higher-paying jobs or had more time in the paid workforce, a spousal benefit could be considerably higher

Column: First Social Security check 72 years ago
Al Neuharth: The benefits help, but it's not enough. We need to prepare for our golden years with investments, too.

7 little-known Social Security benefitsIn the first season of "Friends,"

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:20:19 -0500

7 little-known Social Security benefits
In the first season of "Friends," Rachel Green looks at her first paycheck as a waitress and asks, "Who's this FICA guy, and why is he getting all my money?"

Audit Cites Inmate Access To Social Security Numbers
A Maryland audit has found that prison inmates had access to personal information such as Social Security numbers while working for Maryland Correctional Enterprises.

The Impact Of Your Starting Age On Social Security
Retiring at 62 sounds nice, but it could affect the amount of social security you receive.

Biz Brain: Collecting spousal benefits from Social SecurityI am 62

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:10:06 -0500

Biz Brain: Collecting spousal benefits from Social Security
I am 62 years old and I would like to apply for Social Security. If I get my Social Security benefits now, will I be able to switch over to half of his benefit when he starts to collect or will I be locked into my own?

How to fix Social Security confounds Florida retirees
THE VILLAGES, Fla. It's an urgent issue seemingly on the minds of many in this retiree mecca, if not the entire state of Florida how to fix Social Security. And voters' proposed solutions to the

BBB warning of new Social Security scam
BBB cautions consumers about telephone calls purportedly from Social Security regarding the issuing of a new "Medical Benefits" card.

Social Security to Resume Paper StatementsWorkers age 60 and older

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:06:12 -0500

Social Security to Resume Paper Statements
Workers age 60 and older will get mailings beginning in February.

Social Security: Florida retirees eye GOP candidates' fixes
Social Security rescue plans vary among GOP presidential candidates. A majority of Florida's Republican retirees support raising age when Social Security benefits kick in.

Third of Florida's seniors have only Social Security to depend

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:05:30 -0500

Third of Florida's seniors have only Social Security to depend on
A third of Florida's nearly 3 million retirees, 65 and older, now rely entirely on Social Security, according to an analysis by AARP.

5 Social Security Changes Coming in 2012
Social Security recipients will see bigger payments this year for the first time since 2009. But the future of Social Security taxes for workers remains uncertain. The 2011 payroll tax holiday has been extended only through the end of February and is scheduled to increase in March under current law. Here's a look at the Social Security changes workers and retirees will experience this year.

Patty Duke Registers Online for Social Security, Medicare in PJs
Jan. 23, 2012 - After years of telling people they can apply online for Social Security in their pajamas, Patty Duke has taken her own advice. Duke turned 65 last month and applied online for retirement and Medicare benefits from home.

Trenton man pleads guilty to theft of $90,000 in Social

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:00:09 -0500

Trenton man pleads guilty to theft of $90,000 in Social Security benefits, faces 10 years in jail
TRENTON A 55-year-old Trenton man on Tuesday admitted he stole nearly $90,000 in Social Security disability benefits and used his brother s Social Security number to obtain employment and worker s compensation, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Consider Social Security part of investing strategy
Last month as my office was closing down 2011, a friend and financial planner, Peter Mullen of Sherpa Financial, sent me an e-mail with the subject How Much is Your Social Security Worth (to You)?

Budget cuts mean shorter office hoursThe North Platte Telegraph On

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:56:44 -0500

Child s social security number used in bank fraudA Rome woman

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:50:05 -0500

Child s social security number used in bank fraud
A Rome woman called local authorities Tuesday regarding her child s Social Security number was used in a Texas bank scam. According to Rome police reports: The East Rome resident said that someone ...

Social Security questions answered
Below are some questions and answers provided by Oscar Torres-Torres, Social Security office manager in Chambersburg, related to disability benefits.

Government defines Social Security as slush fund
Webster`s 7th New Collegiate Dictionary defines entitlement as having a legal right to, or to qualify for, something. A perfect example is Social Security. You pay in 15.3 percent of your yearly income before taxes if you are self-employed or you pay in 7.65 percent of your pretax total and your employer pays the same amount if you work for someone else. This money is collected during your ...

Social Security 'surplus' an illusionFor 40 years, Operation Holiday has

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:50:16 -0500

Social Security 'surplus' an illusion
For 40 years, Operation Holiday has been made possible by the generosity of countless contributors... - 10:26 pm

Social Security is online
The North Platte Telegraph Social Security touches the lives of more Americans than any other federal program.

Rick Santorum Calls For Social Security Cuts
KEENE, N.H. -- Risking the wrath of older voters, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is calling for immediate cuts to Social Security benefits and says the country can't wait to phase in reductions as most of his rivals have advocated.

Social Security Helps The HomelessLouise Cotton, Social Security District Manager

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:40:06 -0500

Social Security Helps The Homeless
Louise Cotton, Social Security District Manager in Bushwick More than half a million Americans experience homelessness on any given night. Nearly 20 percent of them are chronically homeless, meaning they are on the streets regularly. read more

Your Social Security questions answered
Below are some questions and answers provided by Oscar Torres-Torres, Social Security office manager in Chambersburg, related to calculating retirement benefits; audio books; retired, but now working - and, is the "early" retirement age going up?

Rick Santorum Knocks Ronald Reagan On Social Security
Fresh off his second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses , GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum took part in a town hall event in New Hampshire, held Wednesday evening in a Brentwood nursing home.

Paulonomics: Ron Paul s plans for taxes, spending and Social SecurityIf

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:36:22 -0500

Paulonomics: Ron Paul s plans for taxes, spending and Social Security
If you know anything about Ron Paul's economic views, it's probably that he's not a big fan of the Federal Reserve system, or that he loves the gold standard. But those are hardly the only noteworthy planks in his platform. The Republican congressman from Texas, who now looks to have a real chance of winning [...]

Seniors focus on candidates' plans for Medicare, Social Security
By Britt Kennerly Florida Today -- When it comes to Social Security, there's one word Micco resident Jamie Lawson doesn't want to hear from anyone seeking the presidency of the United States.

Payroll tax cut may imperil Social Security funding
WASHINGTON - By extending the payroll tax cut, Congress and the administration have quietly made a critical change in how Social Security is funded, one that some worry could undermine the program's foundation if lawmakers keep renewing the tax break.

Paulonomics: Ron Paul s plans for taxes, spending and Social SecurityIf

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:20:05 -0500

Paulonomics: Ron Paul s plans for taxes, spending and Social Security
If you know anything about Ron Paul's economic views, it's probably that he's not a big fan of the Federal Reserve system, or that he loves the gold standard. But those are hardly the only noteworthy planks in his platform. The Republican congressman from Texas, who now looks to have a real chance of winning [...]

Congressman visits Copper Country: Constituents voice concerns in Mohawk
MOHAWK - Social security and taxes were the topics of discussion at Slim's Cafe in Mohawk Thursday morning where Congressman Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, fielded questions.

Social Security payments will increase in 2012
Many senior citizens living on a fixed income will soon receive something they haven t seen in two years a raise. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits will increase 3.6 percent in 2012 to cover cost of living increases. This will be the first cost-of-living adjustment for people receiving Social Security since 2009, when the benefits went up 5.8 percent.

Budget cuts mean shorter office hoursThe North Platte Telegraph On

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:17:04 -0500

Budget cuts mean shorter office hours
The North Platte Telegraph On Aug. 15, the North Platte Social Security office, 300 East Third Street, Room 204, will reduce the number of hours it is open to the public by 30 minutes each weekday. The office will be open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Harrison woman has to prove she's alive after Social Security declares her dead, and that's only the beginning
AHarrison woman has had to figuratively fight for her life after being declared dead by Social Security, and she hasn t been able to collect her benefits because her bank does not believe she is among the living.

The ins and outs of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits
With each paycheck you earn, a small amount is deducted to ensure that you'll be able to receive payments should you ever become disabled and unable to work. By paying Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) throughout your working life, you entitle yourself to payments from the Social Security Administration if you ever become incapacitated.

Safeguard Your Child's Social Security NumberJaleesa Suell, a senior at

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:30:12 -0500

Safeguard Your Child's Social Security Number
Jaleesa Suell, a senior at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., recently tried to establish credit by applying for a modest student credit card. To her surprise, she was turned down. She later ...

Charles Schwab CEO on the future of the 401(k)
Walt Bettinger weighs in on all things concerning the American investor in this landscape, including 401(k)s, Social Security, and just who should and shouldn't invest in stocks.

Ex-spouse Social Security benefitsIf you're divorced and drawing Social Security

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:25:10 -0500

Ex-spouse Social Security benefits
If you're divorced and drawing Social Security benefits -- or just getting ready to file for Social Security -- you need to know the rules of ex-spouse Social Security benefits.

Republicans muscle tax cut bill through House
Defiant Republicans pushed legislation through the House Tuesday night that would keep alive Social Security payroll tax cuts for some 160 million Americans at President Barack Obama's request but also would require construction of a Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline that has sparked a White House veto threat.