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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (98954)	2/6/2005 4:21:39 PM
From: KLP	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793717

This from the SS site: Social Security is more than retirement Many people think of Social Security as just a retirement program. Although it is true that most of the people receiving Social Security receive retirement benefits, many others get Social Security because they are: Disabled; or A spouse or child of someone who gets Social Security; or A spouse or child of a worker who died; or A dependent parent of a worker who died. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for Social Security at any age. In fact, Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other government program. Today, more than 45 million people, about one out of every six Americans, collect some kind of Social Security benefit.<<<<<<<<< >>>Retirement benefits for widows and widowers If you are receiving widow’s or widower’s benefits, you can switch to your own retirement benefits as early as age 62, assuming your retirement benefit is more than the amount you receive on your deceased spouse’s earnings. In many cases, you can begin receiving one benefit at a reduced rate and then switch to the other benefit at the full rate when you reach full retirement age. The rules are complicated and vary depending on your situation, so talk to a Social Security representative about the options available to you. Disability benefits If you cannot work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Our disability rules are different from those of other private plans or government agencies. The fact that you qualify for disability from another agency or program does not mean you will be eligible for disability benefits from us. And having a statement from your doctor indicating you are disabled does not mean you will automatically be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. People with disabilities, including children, who have little income and few resources, also may be eligible for disability payments through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. For more information about SSI, contact us and ask for the publication, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Publication No. 05-11000). If you become disabled, you should file for disability benefits as soon as possible, because it usually takes several months to process a disability claim. We may be able to process your claim more quickly if you have the following when you apply: Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers; Your laboratory and other test results; The names, addresses and phone and fax numbers of your doctors, clinics and hospitals; The names of all medications you are taking; and The names of your employers and job duties for the last 15 years. <<<<<<<<< >>>>>If you are divorced If you are divorced, your ex-spouse may qualify for benefits on your earnings. In some situations, he or she may get benefits even if you are not receiving them. To qualify, a divorced spouse must: Have been married to you for at least 10 years; Have been divorced at least 2 years; Be at least 62 years old; Be unmarried; and Not be eligible for an equal or higher benefit based on his or her own work or someone else’s work.<<<<<< >>>Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program If you get Social Security benefits, but have limited income and resources (things you own), SSI may be able to help. SSI is financed from general revenues, not Social Security taxes. SSI makes monthly payments to people who are age 65 or older or who are blind or disabled. We do not count some of your income and some of your resources when we decide whether you are eligible for SSI. Your house and your car, for example, usually are not counted as resources. Call us for more information or to apply for SSI.<<<<<<<< Some facts about Social Security 2004 Social Security taxes You and your employer each pay 6.2 percent If you are self-employed, you pay 12.4 percent You do not pay Social Security taxes on any earnings above $87,900 2004 Medicare taxes You and your employer each pay 1.45 percent If you are self-employed, you pay 2.9 percent Medicare taxes are paid on all of your earnings; there is no limit Work credits in 2004 For each $900 you earn, you receive one Social Security “credit,” up to four per year Most people need 40 credits to be eligible for retirement benefits Younger people need fewer credits to qualify for disability and survivors benefits Average 2004 monthly Social Security benefits Retired worker: $922 Retired couple: $1,523 Disabled worker: $862 Disabled worker with a spouse and child: $1,442 Widow or widower: $888 Young widow or widower with two children: $1,904 2004 SSI payment rates (does not include state supplement, if any) $564 for an individual $846 for a couple 888888888888888888888888 Other SS items of interest: cis.org Excellent Link!! The High Cost of Cheap Labor Illegal Immigration and the Federal Budget Executive Summary ssa.gov ancestry.com ct.gov This explains what SSI is and the eligibility.... whitehouse.gov More SS and SDI... acf.dhhs.gov Office of Refugee Resettlement ilo.org Cost of Social Security 1994-96 -International Labor Organization......