Retirement Planning

You can go to the SSA website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm or get the SSA Publication.
Disability Evaluation Under Social Security (SSA Pub. No. 64-039) contains the medical criteria that Social Security uses to determine disability. It is intended primarily for physicians and other health professionals.
You can fax a request to the Social Security Administartion Fax Number, 410-965-0696. You can also write or call: Social Security Administration Public Information Distribution Center P.O. Box 17743 Baltimore, MD 21235-6401 Phone 410-965-0945.

If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, SSA deducts $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2013, that limit is $15,120. In the year you reach full retirement age, SSA deducts $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit, but we only count earnings before the month you reach your full retirement age. If you will reach full retirement age in 2013, the limit on your earnings for the months before full retirement age is $40,080. (If you were born in 1943 - 1954, your full retirement age is 66 years.).
If you were born in 1960 or later your full retirement age is 67.
Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, you can get your benefits with no limit on your earnings.

The Form first used to claim exemption from social security is filed on IRS Form 4361. The exemption once granted is irrevocable unless requested within a 27 and a half initial period.

The Form first used to claim exemption from social security is filed on IRS Form 4361.
The exemption once granted is irrevocable unless requested within a 27 and a half initial period. Exempted Ordained Ministers, Priests, or Rabbi's may revoke the original election and re-elect social security coverage by filing out IRS Form 2031.
Once you revoke the exemption you can never elect exemption from social security coverage again.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal agency that administers the Medicare program and monitors the Medicaid programs offered by each state. Medicare makes it easy for you to get information. You can find answers to general questions about eligibility, coverage, and Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) on this Web site. You can also compare health and drug plans, Medigap policies, hospitals, nursing homes, and more! For specific questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, visit MyMedicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE .

Go to the Social Security Website http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/. You can use the online Medicare application if you:
•are at least 64 years and 8 months old, •want to sign up for Medicare but do not currently have ANY Medicare coverage, >br>•live in the United States or one of its commonwealths or territories and •do not want to start receiving Social Security benefits at this time.
(If you aren't sure, you can apply for Medicare now and apply online for benefits later.) Traditional medicare comes in 3 parts, Part A and Part B. At age 65 you are automatically enrolled into premium free Part A which helps pay for hospital, hospice and some nursing care.
Medicare benefits most often used come from Part B which helps pay for doctors, outpatient care, laboratory and other medical services which is voluntary.

Go to the government website at: http://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/enroll-now.aspx

The Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is essentially an exemption that allows seniors who meet certain circumstantial events to make Medicare Advantage plan purchases outside of the annual open enrollment period. Qualifying circumstances include: •Seniors with a change in there permanent address •Seniors who enter or leave a nursing home •Seniors who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, who lose cost sharing assistance provided by Medicaid •Seniors eligible for low-income subsidy •Senior who lost credible Rx coverage •Seniors dis-enrolling from employer sponsored health plan

Medicare is a national health insurance program for people ages 65+, or younger individuals with certain disabilities.
Like most other insurance programs, Original Medicare does not pay for all health care costs. You must pay for deductibles, premiums, coinsurance or copayments. Medicare has four parts:
A. Hospital Insurance - helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health care and hospice care.
B.Medical Insurance - helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that are not covered by hospital insurance.
C.Medicare Advantage - plans are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C.
D.Prescription Drug Coverage - helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment. Go to the Social Security website for more information at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/