New Social Security Assistance Website Setup for Baby Boomers in Phoenix & Scottsdale Arizona

We finally were able to launch our new website to help people who are retiring in the Phoenix and Scottsdale AZ areas get the best possible information about signing up for Social Security and Medicare.

We offer live and free seminars every month.

Here is our press release.

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Social Security Calculators can help you determine how much Social Security benefits you will receive

What would you do if you retired at age 62, and live another 30 years? Your benefits will run out if you only have 20 year annuities to pull from. 

Social Security Calculators can help you determine how much Social Security benefits you will receive, but you can refuse them until you are 70 or even older so your amount monthly is more. 

This way, when your annuity payments or other retirement benefits run out, you still have Social Security to rely on, and your monthly amount will be higher because you waited to take the money.

Another question to consider is, how is my health history?  If you come from a family that tends to live long, you may want to postpone taking the benefits so that you have a larger benefit to live on in the later years.  

Studies have shown that as people age, more of their income needs are being met by Social Security.  Since Social Security benefits have inflation adjustments, the larger monthly payment could be beneficial if or when personal savings start to run low.

Today, the statistics are growing even more, as many unemployed seniors aged 62 and up have filed for early benefits to cover their expenses as they struggle to find work again and the paychecks start flying in. Since the economic recession, unemployment figures have also been on the rise, along with retirees who've filed for early Social Security benefits.

Procrastination seems to be the rule rather than an exception when it comes to filing applications for social security benefits. There are quite a few out there who end up creating unprecedented delays in filing their applications. 

Most of these people end up waiting for more than several months before applying for these benefits that they are entitled to. Some people decide to wait, as they remain unsure about their eligibility while others do not realize the benefits that these schemes can offer. 

For those who have very little information about these Social Security Disability Benefits it is important to learn why these schemes are so useful. The entire procedure is fast and simple; making it easier for you to avail the benefits right from the day you make the request.

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Someone suffering from depression might have a legitimate claim for Social Security Disability

Your unmarried children and dependent grandchildren under the age of 18 (including adopted children) should qualify for Social Security benefits if you are getting SSDI.  If your child is age 18 or 19, they will also qualify if they're in school full time. 

In some cases, your stepchildren will also qualify to receive benefits. If you have a disabled, unmarried child 18 years old or older who became disabled before they turned 22, they should also qualify to receive benefits.

If you encounter a denial of your Social Security application and you want to file an appeal, there are attorneys who can provide you the legal help that is needed. Through the help of these skilled attorneys, you will have a higher chance of having a successful appeal and receiving Social Security benefits.

There are no hard set standards for paying their child's expenses set by a country. And so, each state figures out on their own the amount of child support that the parent will have to consider, and whether they should award it or not. 

To figure this out, the states check the incomes of the parents, such as, their salary, income from other businesses, Social Security benefits, lotteries, etc.

In some people, depression can be so severe that it renders them unable to hold down a job. If that is the case, someone suffering from depression might have a legitimate claim for Social Security Disability. This article discusses the common disabling depression symptoms as well as how to apply for Social Security benefits if you are disabled by depression. 

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Married women who will qualify for survivor benefits from their spouse can consider drawing upon their Social Security benefits early...

Many Americans held their breath to see if Congress was going to extend the payroll tax cut at the beginning of this year. 

While most were happy to hear the cuts would be extended, many risk losing their benefits if these cuts continue. 

Because payroll taxes take care of a large portion of the funds by which many Social Security benefits are drawn, these cuts have taken quite a sizeable chunk out of an already dwindling pot. 

The current payroll tax cuts extension allows for employers to pay 2 percent in taxes, rather than the 2 maintained in previous years. With nearly 9 million Americans depending on Social Security benefits for their survival each month, further tax cut extensions could seriously threaten the future of benefit funds.

In 1940, benefits paid totaled $35 million. These rose to $961 million in 1950, $12 billion in 1960, $39 billion in 1970, $125 billion in 1980, and $248 billion in 1990 (all figures in nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation). In 2004, $492 billion of benefits were paid to 45 million beneficiaries. In 2009, nearly 51 million Americans received $650 billion in Social Security benefits.

Married women who will qualify for survivor benefits from their spouse can consider drawing upon their Social Security benefits early, as long as their spouse waited until full retirement age to begin drawing benefits. 

This ensures that the survivor benefits a married woman receives is not reduced by up to 25% for early retirement, and will be an amount that is better suited to sustain her during her later years of life.

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Social Security proponents argue that the correct plan is to fix Medicare

The balances in the Trust Fund are projected to be depleted either by 2036 (OASDI Trustees' 2011 projection), or by 2038 (Congressional Budget Office's extended baseline scenario) assuming proper and continuous repayment of the outstanding treasury notes. 

At that point, under current law, the system's benefits would have to be paid from the FICA tax alone. Revenues from FICA are projected at that point to be continue to cover about 77% of projected Social Security benefits if no change is made to the current tax and benefit schedules.

These Social Security proponents argue that the correct plan is to fix Medicare, which is the largest underfunded entitlement, repeal the 2001–2004 tax cuts, and balance the budget. They believe a growth trendline will emerge from these steps, and the government can alter the Social Security mix of taxes, benefits, benefit adjustments and retirement age to avoid future deficits. 

The age at which one begins to receive Social Security benefits has been raised several times since the program's inception.

You'll need to estimate how much coverage you need, and what type of policy is best for your situation such as term life insurance or whole life insurance. 

Again, consider your income, combined debts and future financial goals such as college and home buying. Then, subtract out assets such as Social Security benefits, other life policies, your spouse's income, and retirement plan benefits. The difference should be your minimum coverage to replace your income in the event of your death.

With the assistance of testing, at times it is extremely hard to prove disabling conditions of a person. As a result, in those cases it relies on a disabled person’s representative or legal assist to demonstrate doctor’s health reports correctly & to convince the government that a person is eligible for social security benefits. 

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You are restricted in how much money you can be paid when collecting Social Security

While you're restricted in how much money you can be paid when you are under full retirement age and collecting Social Security, as soon as you attain full retirement age you may make as much as you desire without your retirement benefits being lowered. 

Yet another plan may be to take a part time job when you finally retire so that you can postpone collecting Social Security benefits.

Here's a hypothetical example. Leslie is about to reach her full retirement age of 66, but she wants to postpone filing for Social Security benefits so that she can increase her monthly retirement benefit from $2,000 at full retirement age to $2,640 at age 70 (32% more). 

However, her husband Lou (who has had substantially lower lifetime earnings) wants to retire in a few months at his full retirement age (also 66). He will be eligible for a higher monthly spousal benefit based on Leslie's work record than on his own   $1,000 vs. $70 So that Lou can receive the higher spousal benefit as soon as he retires, Leslie files an application for benefits, but then immediately suspends it. 

Leslie can then earn delayed retirement credits, resulting in a higher retirement benefit for her at age 70 and a higher widower's benefit for Lou in the event of her death.

When you are married, you can claim your spouse's benefits. Even if you never held a job yourself you are entitled to share your spouse's Social Security benefits. If you wait until both of you are of retirement age (currently 66 years old) you can claim 50% of your spouse's benefit. 

If you claim it before age 66, the percentage goes down. Social Security has no marriage penalty, so there's absolutely no downside in claiming both benefits. Social Security allows a widow or widower to claim their spouse's benefits, even if they remarry. 

You can claim a deceased spouse's benefits as early as age 60, and add their own benefit whenever necessary   though waiting until age 70 will bring the highest benefit possible.

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Determining when to collect social security income

Determining when to collect social security income is a very important decision and there are many factors that should be taken into consideration to maximize social security benefits such as longevity, income needs and survivors needs to name a few.  

However, by taking the time to understand your social security benefits now, you can make an educated decision when the time comes.

Every year, the Trustees of the Social Security Trust Funds release a report to Congress on the current financial condition and projected financial outlook of the program. 

This year's report, released on July 28, contains valuable information about the health of Social Security that may help you understand how your Social Security benefits might be affected.

The Social Security program consists of two parts. Retired workers, their families, and survivors of workers receive monthly benefits under the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) program; disabled workers and their families receive monthly benefits under the Disability Insurance (DI) program. 

The combined programs are referred to as OASDI. Each program has a financial account (a trust fund) that holds the Social Security payroll taxes that are collected to pay Social Security benefits. Other income (reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury and income tax revenue from benefit taxation) is also deposited in these accounts. 

Money that is not needed in the current year to pay benefits and administrative costs is invested (by law) in special Treasury bonds that are guaranteed by the U.S. government and earn interest. 

As a result, the Social Security Trust Funds have built up reserves that can be used to cover benefit obligations if payroll tax income is insufficient to pay full benefits.

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Web based Social Security benefits calculator

In 2004, Urban Institute economists C. Eugene Steuerle and Adam Carasso created a Web based Social Security benefits calculator. Using this calculator it is possible to estimate net Social Security benefits (i.e., estimated lifetime benefits minus estimated lifetime FICA taxes paid) for different types of recipients. 

In the book Democrats and Republicans – Rhetoric and Reality Joseph Fried used the calculator to create graphical depictions of the estimated net benefits of men and women who were at different wage levels, single and married (with stay at home spouses), and retiring in different years. 

These graphs vividly show that generalizations about Social Security benefits may be of little predictive value for any given worker, due to the wide disparity of net benefits for people at different income levels and in different demographic groups. 

For example, the graph below (Figure 168) shows the impact of wage level and retirement date on a male worker. As income goes up, net benefits get smaller – even negative.

The amount of social security income a retiree will receive at full retirement age is based on the top 35 years of earnings.  

The benefit is then reduced or increased according to when you apply. Retirees can apply for social security benefits when they have attained age 60.

Unfortunately, by collecting social security income early a retiree settles for a reduced benefit. One way a retiree can maximize their social security income is by simply postponing the application. 

Social security benefits at age 62 are roughly 75% of what they would be at Full Retirement age and increase by roughly 8% each year that they are delayed up to the maximum benefit at age 70.

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Many people don't recognize their eligibility for social security benefits?

Many people don't recognize their eligibility of the social security benefits, because of so many mix ups and confusing procedures in the social programs. 

Unluckily, a group of people consumes their own savings and financial assets to meet their requirements, before recognizing their eligibility to get the disability benefits. 

Even, some of them oversee the proper medical support, which could have cured them, enabling them to resume their job as soon as possible.

The first thing that will need to know is that you can apply for social security benefits if you become disabled or have been disabled for a while. 

Disability that is covered here ranges from work disability, where you have become disabled at the work place. However, you need to make sure that you have some kind of disability from you place of work.

If you're dealing with a disability situation and want to access your social security benefits, you probably understand the many benefits that come from working with a disability lawyer. 

The truth about social security is that it is a very complex system with many complicated processes. Many people have spent countless hours trying to figure out the best way to work with the system to get the benefits they are entitled to, and many of these people have given up because of the sheer amount of work and confusion it comes with. 

The good news is that working with a lawyer allows you access to a professional who understands every part of the complicated social security system, and they can stand up for your rights and help you get the disability and social security benefits you are entitled to.

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There is no right time to begin collecting Social Security benefits?

There is no right time to begin collecting Social Security benefits, but the age at which you begin receiving benefits will affect how much retirement income you will receive over your lifetime, so you should weigh the consequences carefully. 

Keep in mind that if you collect Social Security before your full retirement age, your benefit will be permanently reduced. 

Depending on the year you were born, you'll receive between 25% and 30% less per month if you collect benefits at age 62 than if you wait until full retirement age. 

However, this doesn't necessarily mean that collecting benefits at age 62 is unwise. In fact, unless you live to an especially old age, you may actually end up with more money if you start collecting Social Security benefits at age 62 than if you wait until full retirement age, because you'll receive more benefit checks.

If a spouse did not work they are still eligible for Social Security benefits equal to 50% of their working spouse's PIA (full retirement amount). When the working spouse dies, the surviving, nonworking spouse, is entitled to 100% of their deceased working spouse's retirement benefits.

Should I begin collecting benefits at age 62 (early retirement)?

If they choose to enter retirement at age 62, Social Security benefits can be lowered by 25 % and by 20 %, if they work till they are 64. This discount will be in place no matter how long Social Security benefits are paid. The one time it is going to enhance is when the government points value of dwelling changes, which usually are not very high.

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SSA administers the retirement, survivors, and disabled social insurance programs

SSA administers the retirement, survivors, and disabled social insurance programs, which can provide monthly benefits to aged or disabled workers, their spouses and children, and to the survivors of insured workers. 

In 2010, more than 54 million Americans received approximately $712 billion in Social Security benefits. The programs are primarily financed by taxes which employers, employees, and the self-insured pay annually. 

These revenues are placed into a special trust fund. These programs are collectively known as Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI).

The nearly 500 page social security book is split into sixteen chapters plus an index. All the chapters contain clear to see advice on the chapter topic, with side bars, tables, cautions, lists, and extra resources. The group of the book makes it easy to determine the various components best for your own situation or needs. Again, the publication does a very good job of providing basic information regarding the themes within an straightforward way. 

The chapters or topics include: Social Security, Basic fundamentals; Social Security Retirement Benefits; SS Disability Benefits; SS Dependents Benefits; SS Survivors Benefits; When you should Claim Social Security Benefits, and What type to say; Supplemental Security Income; Getting Benefits; Appealing a Social Security Decision; Federal Civil Service Retirement Benefits; Veterans Benefits; Medicare; Medicare Procedures: Enrollment, Claims, and Appeals; Medigap Insurance; Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans; and Medicaid and State Supplements to Medicare.

During working years, the low wage worker is eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (FICA refunds) and Federal child credits and may pay little or no FICA tax or Income tax. By Congressional Budget Office (CBO) calculations the lowest income quintile (0 20%) and second quintile (21 40%) of households in the U.S. pay an average income tax of  3% and  6% and Social Security taxes of 3% and 9% respectively. By CBO calculations the household incomes in the first quintile and second quintile have an average Total Federal Tax rate of 0% and 8% respectively. Higher income retirees will have to pay income taxes on 85% of their Social Security benefits and 100% on all other retirement benefits they may have.

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Deciding when to begin receiving Social Security benefits is a complicated decision

Deciding when to begin receiving Social Security benefits is a complicated decision. 

You'll need to consider a number of scenarios, and take into account factors such as both spouses' ages, estimated benefit entitlements, and life expectancies.

A Social Security representative can't give you advice, but can help explain your options.

You also have the right to retain a social security benefits attorney to represent your case. 

According to some statistics, claimants that have been represented by attorneys have become more successful in receiving their benefits. Following this fact, you must consider the advantageous points regarding having an attorney to represent your disability claim.

It is very simple to become eligible for social security benefits. You need to accumulate at least forty social security credits during your working life to qualify for the minimum social security income.  You can earn a maximum of four credits in a year, and the amount of earned income needed to obtain a social security credit is set each year. 

For example, in 2011 you need to have at least $1,120 of earned income to obtain one credit.  This makes it fairly easy for most people to obtain the four credits each year and qualify for the minimum social security benefits after 10 years of working.

All people who want to avail or to receive Social Security benefits must first submit an application and wait for its approval. 

However, there are various instances wherein denial of Social Security application occurs and necessary steps can be taken by a person in order for an application to be reconsidered.

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