General

Question: I am a 62-year-old woman who was married for almost 30 years before my divorce several years ago. I expect a relatively small Social Security retirement check, since I mostly worked part-time jobs. My ex-husband is 68 and already getting about $1,800 per month from Social Security. Any chance I can receive benefits based on his record?

Answer: Yes. Under Social Security, a divorced spouse who was married for more than 10 years and is currently unmarried is entitled to the same benefits as a spouse. Learn more by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/ or call us at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).

---

Question: Are people in the military covered by Social Security?

Answer: Yes. People in the military services pay Social Security tax just like civilian employees do. By paying Social Security tax, people in the military receive the same coverage for Social Security survivors, disability and retirement benefits. To learn more, read our online publication, Military Service and Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html or call us toll-free at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778) to ask for a copy to be mailed to you.

---

Retirement

Question: All my life I have planned on retiring at age 62, but I heard the retirement age is rising to 67. Does this mean five more years of work for me?

Answer: Not unless you want to continue working. While it is true that the full retirement age is gradually rising to 67, early retirement remains at age 62. So if you go ahead with your plans to retire early, your benefits will be reduced. You also should know that if you choose to keep working even beyond your full retirement age, you can increase your future Social Security benefits. With delayed retirement credits, your benefit will increase automatically by a certain percentage from the time you reach your full retirement age until you start receiving your benefits or until you reach age 70. For example, if you were born in 1943 or later, we will add 8 percent per year to your benefit for each year that you delay signing up for Social Security between your full retirement age and age 70. Check out our online Retirement Estimator, which you can use to get quick and accurate estimates of your retirement benefits based on different scenarios, at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Or read the When to Start Receiving Benefits fact sheet at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.

---

Question: I work for the county government and will get a pension from the county at age 60. But I also have Social Security coverage because during the same 36 years, I paid Social Security tax. Will my Social Security retirement benefit be reduced because of my county pension?

Answer: No. But the earliest you can start collecting Social Security retirement benefits is at age 62. If you start your Social Security at 62, your benefit will be reduced for early retirement. It will not be reduced because you get a county pension. However, you should check with your county pension office to find out if your Social Security benefit will reduce your county pension. Learn more about Social Security by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).

---

Disability

Question: I have an appointment to apply for Social Security disability benefits. Is there anything I can do to make the process go faster?

Answer: There are things you can do to speed up the process. First, you can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov. If you must visit an office, bring as many medical records as you can, but don't wait to get your medical records before you come in. Ask your treating sources to respond immediately to Social Security's requests for information. Have the names and addresses of all sources—doctors, hospitals, clinics—that have treated you. And notify us of changes, especially changes in contact information, like your address and phone number. These things will help speed up the processing of your claim. For more information visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).

---

Question: A young secretary I work with says she has carpal tunnel syndrome and is going to apply for Social Security disability benefits. Can you get disability payments for something like that?

Answer: That depends. A person can qualify for disability benefits for any impairment or combination of disabling conditions if they are found to be so severe that they keep a person from doing any substantial work for at least a year, or if they are expected to result in death. So if the person's carpel tunnel syndrome is severe enough to render her unable to work, it is possible for her to receive disability benefits. Learn more about Social Security by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).

---

Supplemental Security Income

Question: I get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a mental disability. I would like to try going to work. Am I allowed to get a part-time job without risking loss of benefits?

Answer: Yes. In fact, Social Security encourages recipients with disabilities to try working. For example, if your only income is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and you start to work, only a portion of your income is used in recalculating your monthly benefit amount. Also, in most cases you are able to keep your medical coverage. Social Security has a number of work incentives to help you attempt working without taking away the security of your benefits. Learn more about them by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/work. You're also welcome to call us at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).

---

Medicare

Question: I'd like to enroll in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. When is open season?

Answer: You couldn't have picked a better time to ask—the next open season for enrollment in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program begins November 15 and runs through December 31. The Medicare prescription drug program is available to all Medicare beneficiaries to help with the costs of medications. Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary, and participants pay an additional monthly premium for the coverage. Some people with limited income and resources also may qualify for extra help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. The extra help is worth an average of $3,600 this year, and $3900 in 2009. For more information about the Medicare prescription drug program, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1.800.MEDICARE (1.800.633.4227; TTY 1.877.486.2048). To learn more about the extra help available through Social Security visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call Social Security at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).

---

Ginny Jordan is a Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration. Her weekly column on all things Social Security appears in the Sunday Edition of the Sun-Sentinel.

Ginny has agreed to let us reprint her articles here for your convenience.

Thank you Ginny!