User: sburris
Time: 10-14-2013 13:06 Product: INIBrd PubDate: 10-16-2013 Zone: Special
Edition: 1 Page: OfAdvFolio-D Color: C K Y M
THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR • INDYSTAR.COM
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013 •
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In the aftermath of disaster, Social Security can help By Casey Hurst SSA District Manager
For some Americans, life has been more difficult in recent years because of natural disasters.
Spouses have a significant benefit By Robert Hilcz SSA District Manager
Social Security can be an important financial asset for married couples when the time comes to apply for retirement benefits. In many cases, one spouse may have earned significantly more than the other or worked for a longer span of years. Or it could be that one spouse stayed home to do the work of raising children or caring for elderly family members while the other focused on a career. Regardless of your situation, Social Security will look at all possibilities to make sure both spouses receive the maximum benefit possible. Even if you haven’t paid Social Security taxes, it’s likely you’ll be eligible to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. If you did work and pay into Social Security, we will check eligibility based on your work record and your spouse’s to see which amount is higher. You can apply for spousal benefits the same way you apply for benefits on your own record. You can apply for reduced benefits as early as age 62 or for 100 percent of your full retirement benefits at your “full retirement age.” You can find your full retirement age, based on your birth year, at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.
The benefit amount you can receive as a spouse, if you have reached your full retirement age, can be as much as one-half of your spouse’s full benefit. If you opt for early retirement, your benefit may be as little as a third of your spouse’s full benefit amount. If your spouse already has reached full retirement age but continues to work, he or she can apply for retirement benefits and request to have the payments suspended until as late as age 70. This would allow the worker to earn delayed retirement credits, which would mean higher payments later, but would allow you to receive your spouse’s benefit. You also can apply for spouse benefits based on the earnings record of an ex-spouse or deceased spouse if you were married at least 10 years. Spouses can consider a number of options and variables. We make it easier to navigate them. A good place to start is by visiting our benefits planner at www. socialsecurity.gov/planners. Take note of the “Benefits As A Spouse” section. If you are ready to apply for benefits, the fastest, easiest and most convenient way is to apply online. You can do so at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. Whether you receive benefits on a spouse’s record or your own, rest assured we will make sure you get the highest benefit we can pay you. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov. ★
Fatal tornadoes in Oklahoma. Massive wildfires and strong earthquakes in Colorado and California. Landslides in Washington. Flooding in Texas, North Carolina and Florida. Hail storms in Tennessee. Hurricane Sandy along the Eastern seaboard. And now, we brace ourselves for another hurricane season. In addition to natural catastrophes, there are man-made tragedies, such as the theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., which killed 12 and injured 58; the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Conn., which took the lives of 26 children and staff members; and the Boston Marathon explosions, killing three and injuring more than 260. When disasters strike, you may not know where to turn, despite the immediate response by so many well-intentioned people and organizations. But when it comes to the need for disability and survivors benefits, Social Security is always here to serve those who require our services. Dependent survivors of wage earners — such as spouses, minor children and in some cases parents or grandchildren — may be eligible for survivor benefits when the family’s provider dies. The sad fact is that about 1-in-8 of today’s 20-year-old workers will die before reaching age 67. The good news is about 96 percent of people age 20 to 49 who work have survivors insurance protection if they die and leave behind young children and spouses. Social Security is here to help people afflicted with disabling conditions as well. In fact, disabled workers account for about 19 percent of all Social Security benefits paid. Of today’s 20-year-old workers, 1-in-4 will become disabled before reaching age 67. Our emergency services reach more than the limited number of people who die or become disabled from a tragedy. For example, if you still receive a paper check and your mail delivery is interrupted due to severe weather, in many cases any Social Security office can issue an immediate replacement payment. To avoid this situation, switch to electronic payments as required by law. Even if your mailbox — or home — is destroyed due to an emergency or you are evacuated or displaced, your payment will arrive on time every time if you receive it electronically. Sometimes, emergencies cause Social Security offices to close. If you want to check whether your local office is open, the best place to go is the Social Security’s Office Closings And Emergency Information page at www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency. This site is a great place to visit before you go to an office, especially when severe weather affects your area. The emergency page also offers valuable FEMA advice, which can help you prepare for or cope with emergency situations. While we all hope and pray to avoid disasters, unfortunately they are bound to occur. The best we can do is be prepared to deal with them if they happen. And know that Social Security will be here for you when you need it. Be prepared. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency. ★
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SOUTH Beech Grove Meadows ............................783-2911 Bethany Village (Assisted Living) .............784-3066 (Healthcare) .............................................783-4042 Forest Creek Village ................................787-8253 Franklin Meadows ..................................736-9113 Greenwood Meadows..............................300-2200 Rosegate (Assisted Living & Garden Homes) ............... 889-0100 (Healthcare) .............................................889-9300 EAST Community Nursing & Rehabilitation .....................................356-0911 Harrison Terrace ......................................353-6270 Rosewalk (Assisted Living) .......................356-2760 (Healthcare) .............................................353-8061 WEST Brownsburg Meadows .............................852-8585 Countryside Meadows.............................495-7200 Eagle Valley Meadows .............................293-2555 Meadow Lakes ........................................834-1791 Washington Healthcare Center ...............244-6848 DOWNTOWN North Capitol Nursing & Rehabilitation .....................................924-5821 * services vary per location