The Benefits Blog

Does a person pay a penalty when they re-enroll if they lose their Medicare status upon incarceration?

No, there is no penalty for re-enrolling in Medicare after losing Medicare status due to incarceration. Here’s how it works:

1. Medicare Suspension:

   • During Incarceration: Medicare benefits ar
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I am working with parents of a special needs adult child. An attorney has advised the family that one of the parents needs to collect their SS benefit for the son to receive SSDI. That does not sound correct to me…is it?

The attorney’s advice might be based on a misunderstanding. Here’s how Social ...

We have a client that is at FRA and plans to begin collecting benefits. She (and her husband) are primary caregivers of their two grandchildren both under the age of 16. They have a “split” custodial agreement for their grandchildren. They have primary custody at 51% and the remaining amount is spli...

I think this may have been discussed on a previous webinar, but is there any way to “see” how the filing for benefits looks?  I have clients that have asked questions about the application process and seeing what they are walking through would be super helpful. Not sure if that is possible.  Any ins...

I have the fire chief asking me how to contest the reduction in his SS due to his Gov’t pension. Is that even possible? He is single and retiring in 2024 will be age 59. He has worked and you already provided how his WEP reduction affects his benefit. 

If your fire chief client is facing a reductio...

A client born Dec of 1958, turning 65 in Dec. He has been drawing SS benefits since November, 2022. This year he has earned $20k in working part time income. PLUS $2k in a military pension, $152/month in military disability, and $480/month in a pension from another company.  Will the client have to ...

How do I figure out Social Security credits – is it strictly based on time/quarters worked?

Social Security credits are not based strictly on time or quarters worked; instead, they are earned based on income. Here’s how it works:

1. Earning Credits:

   • Income-Based: In 2024, you earn one Social S
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Do you know whether someone receiving SS benefit can suspend their benefit – basically stop the payments and resume them at a later time.  You used to be able to do this, but I’m wondering whether SSA put limits on this.  I have someone needing to reduce their income for the next 2 years and they st...

How is WEP reduced benefit computed if beginning SS prior to FRA?

When calculating a Social Security benefit that is subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and is being taken before Full Retirement Age (FRA), the reduction is a two-step process. First, the WEP reduction amount is appli...

I have a client that is being told to repay Dec 2022 Social Security payment. He did not work in Dec 2022 (the month he began SS). The SSA 561 doesn’t seem like the right form. But I can’t find anything else. How can he apply for this appeal?

If your client is being told to repay their December 202...