Social Security

Social Security - Retirement before age 62

Asked Friday, December 29, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

When the social security administration averaged out your 35 highest years of earnings to estimate your benefits on your social security Statement, it was assumed you would continue to work up to age 62, making the same earnings you made last year.
If, instead, you have zero earnings each year over the next 6 years, your average earnings will probably be less and so will your benefit.
You can use the Social Security Benefits Calculators to see how this will affect your monthly benefit amount. The Social Security Benefits Planner is located at http://www.ssa.gov. In addition to using the SSA website, you can call SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.
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Retirement Planning

How much is my social security benefits reduced if I am younger than 65 and earn wages ?

Asked Thursday, December 28, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

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.
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Social Security

Social Security - Benefits Planner Web site

Asked Thursday, December 28, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The IRS Social Security Benefits Planner is located at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/.
This planner provides detailed information about your Social Security retirement benefits under current law.
If you are Looking for information, you can find your retirement age, Estimate your life expectancy, Estimate Your Retirement Benefits and use our other benefit calculators to test different retirement ages or future earnings amounts, apply for retirement benefits.
If you are close to age 65, you can find out how to apply for just Medicare. You may need to sign up for Medicare close to your 65th birthday, even if you will not be retired by that time.
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Social Security

Social Security and Medicare Taxes - Deductibility

Asked Wednesday, December 20, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

In the current year, the Social Security and Medicare taxes that are withheld from your paycheck from your wages are not deductible by you on your tax return.
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Retirement Planning

Is Form 2031 the form an exempted minister uses to re-elect social security coverage ?

Asked Monday, December 18, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

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.
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Retirement Planning

Minister - elects exempt from social security

Asked Monday, December 18, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

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.
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Social Security

Social Security - Withholding Maximum

Asked Monday, December 18, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For the current year, wages up to $113,700 are subject to Social Security tax and the maximum Social Security withholding would be $7,049.40.
Employers should withhold Social Security taxes (6.2 percent) from employee's wages up to $113,700 and withhold Medicare tax (1.45 percent) on all wages.
For 2014, wages up to $117,000 are subject to Social Security tax and the maximum Social Security withholding would be $7,254.
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Social Security

What is the Social Security Administrations phone number ?

Asked Friday, December 01, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If your name or social security number on your social security card is incorrect or you need to speak to the Social Security Administration the phone number is 1-800-772-1213.
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Social Security

Social Security Disability - Duration

Asked Monday, November 20, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Generally, there is no limit to the duration of Social Security disability benefits.
If you qualify, you will keep collecting Social Security Disability benefits as long as your disability condition prevents you from working.
The Social Security Administration will periodically review your case to see if there has been an improvement in your disabled condition.
If you are once again determined healthy enough to work, your benefits will stop. If you are still receiving benefits when you reach age 65, your disability benefit will be automatically converted to retirement benefits.
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