http://www.ss.com Social Security & Retirement Information and Resources Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:15:02 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be complicated and typically involves a variety of paperwork and perhaps interviews or hearings. This lady offers several useful suggestion. Lady: Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI is a benefits program that provides monthly disability income to those who've become seriously disabled and unable ... http://www.ss.com/2009/qualifying-for-social-security-disability-benefits/ Sue Winder asks a couple of questions about Social Security benefits, and gets a great answer from John Bishop. Deanna Sauceda: It is Tuesday and time for Ask Deanna. This week's questions comes from Sue Winder: "I'm 53 and my husband is 65. If something were to happen to him, would ... http://www.ss.com/2009/ask-deanna-social-security-questions/ Partner Victor Fusco of Fusco, Brandenstein and Rada explains Social Security Disability at a September 2009 Scleroderma Foundation conference. Victor Fusco: I'm going to focus on Social Security because Social Security is not the only disability benefits law. And sometimes what we try to do is tie in other benefits to ... http://www.ss.com/2009/disability-plans-explained/ Tim Rosen shares his thoughts on how to protect yourself from the consequences of a dwindling Social Security trust fund. Tim Rosen: Today, the U.S. News & World report came out with their findings that Social Security is broke. And to most of you, that is no surprise. They've actually updated ... http://www.ss.com/2009/will-social-security-be-there-for-you/ Attorney Mark Biernath offers suggestions regarding room and board agreements for SSI recipients. Mark E. Biernath: Hi, my name is Mark Biernath. I'm an estate planning attorney here in the Atlanta area, with a special emphasis on special needs planning. I've got a question here: "Our son is on SSI and is ... http://www.ss.com/2009/room-and-board-agreements-for-ssi-recipients/ Here's a great commentary by Congressman Ron Paul. He quotes an economist who says that if the original methodology of CPI had not changed, Social Security checks would be nearly double what they are today! Ron Paul: There has been a lot of talk in Washington recently about senior citizens, mostly ... http://www.ss.com/2009/ron-paul-politicians-must-stop-stealing-from-seniors-and-our-future/ Here's another great video in our Social Security Disability series. Harold Cameron of Haroldsays tells us what to do when experiencing a delayed response to an appeal for getting on Social Security disability. Most importantly: Remain patient and positive! There's a huge backlog, but the people at Social Security are ... http://www.ss.com/2009/denied-for-disability-stay-positive-and-let-the-people-at-social-security-do-their-job/ Agoraphobia is a condition where the sufferer becomes anxious in environments that are unfamiliar or where he or she perceives that they have little control. Triggers for this anxiety may include wide open spaces, crowds, or traveling (even short distances). This anxiety is often compounded by a fear of social ... http://www.ss.com/2009/agoraphobia-and-social-security/ Bob shares his experience with getting on Social Security disability. His advice: 1) Most people are denied the first time they apply, 2) always appeal, and 3) after the first appeal, get a lawyer. Bob: Hi everybody. Bob here with another version of "What The Heck?" This is episode 8. Today ... http://www.ss.com/2009/denied-for-social-security-disability-watch-this-video/ Social Security routinely rounds down the benefit amounts paid to the next lowest full dollar amount - even if the original amount would have included more than 50 cents. For example, if they calculate that your benefit is $685.90, you only get $685. But as there are 90 cents, most ... http://www.ss.com/2009/does-social-security-save-300-million-per-year-by-rounding-down-benefits/ In this video which was released today, Social Security provides excellent suggestions on how seniors can protect themselves from the flu. In a nutshell: Take your flu shot and don't visit Social Security. David Kessler M.D.: You can protect yourself from the flu by taking a few simple steps. First, cover ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-and-the-flu/ Social Security is the most successful government program ever. It has been making payments since January of 1940. In the near future, some important changes will have to be made so the program can continue to provide Social Security benefits as usual. Watch this video for a few insightful comments ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-field-representative-edward-sarkies-on-social-security/ Will Obama make us jump through the hoops to get our $250 stimulus checks in 2010? Watch the clip below for the Late Show's take on the issue. (Sadly, some people haven't even received their 2009 stimulus checks yet.) Bret Baier: We told you last week that there will be no ... http://www.ss.com/2009/how-to-claim-your-250-stimulus-check-not/ A few days ago, CNBC's Sharon Epperson shared her helpful advice on how to maximize your Social Security benefits. Reporter: This morning on today's Fountain of Youth: Maximizing Social Security Payouts. More than 52 million Americans who draw Social Security will not see a cost of living increase next year. ... http://www.ss.com/2009/pump-up-your-social-security/ For the first time in 30 years, Social Security recipients in the United States will not receive an annual adjustment in benefits. More than 52 million older Americans depend on Social Security for all or part of their retirement income. As pension funds and the stock market have declined in ... http://www.ss.com/2009/no-social-security-benefit-increase-in-2010/ Mike Kilburn, a Warren County Commissioner who is ready to challenge Jean Schmidt (R-OH) for her seat in Congress, recorded the following video on Social Security: Mike Kilburn: A much bigger problem than healthcare in this country is the financial stability of our Social Security program. Social Security is the program ... http://www.ss.com/2009/mike-kilburn-on-social-security/ It's official: There will be no COLA in 2010, even though costs of living have been going up for most seniors. Should the government pay Social Security recipients a $250 COLA replacement, and if so, how should they pay for it? [poll id="8"] http://www.ss.com/2009/2010-social-security-cola-poll/ Next year, for the first time ever, social security recipients will not receive a cost of living adjustment in their payments. Instead, Barack Obama is proposing a one-time $250 payment right before next fall's midterm elections. Gerald Celente says that the cost of living really hasn't decreased, the government is ... http://www.ss.com/2009/is-the-2010-cola-just-a-government-bribe-for-seniors-on-social-security/ The National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare delivered 120,000 petitions to Congress saying "Seniors Need A COLA". Senator Bernie Sanders: On October 15th, it is expected that social security administration will announce for the first time in 35 years that seniors will not receive a COLA. Based on the ... http://www.ss.com/2009/seniors-need-a-250-cola-in-2010/ Prompt Passage of Economic Recovery Act Payment for 2010 Needed Law Does Not Provide for a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2010 With consumer prices down over the past year, monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 57 million Americans will not automatically increase in 2010.  ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-confirms-no-cola-in-2010/ Capitol Hill News Conference on HealthCare Reform and Medicare September 30, 2009 Nancy Pelosi: Medicare is our solemn pledge, a pledge of stability for our seniors. They paid into the system and we want them to get everything they deserve out of it. What we are promising with our new legislation ... http://www.ss.com/2009/healthcare-reform-and-closing-the-medicare-doughnut-hole/ Productivity and Processing Times Also Improve Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that for the first time since 1999, the agency has ended the year with fewer disability hearings pending than in the prior year. Social Security ended fiscal year (FY) 2009 with 722,822 hearings pending compared ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-hearings-backlog-down-for-first-time-in-decade/ Research Centers Will Develop Innovative Ways to Help Americans Plan for a Secure Retirement Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the establishment of a new Financial Literacy Research Consortium (FLRC), made up of research centers at Boston College, the RAND Corporation, and the University of Wisconsin. The FLRC, ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-establishes-financial-literacy-research-consortium/ There will be no COLA this year because officially there is no inflation. But in reality, many prices -- above all healthcare costs -- continue to rise. What is your experience? Are your costs of living going up? Should COLA be redefined so that it is more consistent with reality? Mr. ... http://www.ss.com/2009/no-cola-for-ss-beneficiaries-lower-benefits/ One commentator in this video describes Social Security as a "multi-generational Ponzi scheme that has no end". Even if the SS trust fund runs out of money, the government can always print more money to send out Social Security checks. The only question is, will the money still be worth something? The ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-scare-tactics/ Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today hosted the agency's fourth public hearing on Compassionate Allowances. Commissioner Astrue was joined by Marie A. Bernard, M.D., Deputy Director of the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, and other Social Security officials. They heard testimony from some of the ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-holds-compassionate-allowances-hearing-on-early-onset-alzheimers-disease/ Dr. Peter Holmes: And good morning and welcome. I'm Dr. Peter Holmes, an orthopedic surgeon and host of your program, Ask the Doctor. My guest this morning is Dr. Byron Limmer. Dr. Limmer is a dermatologist. If you have any question for Byron in the future and my other ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-and-medicare-as-pyramid-schemes/ In an interview with the Washington Post, President Barack Obama suggested today that, once the health care reform is behind him, he might tackle Social Security reform: Barack Obama: "I think we're in a position to be able to, either at the end of this year or early next year, start ... http://www.ss.com/2009/president-obama-after-health-care-i-may-address-social-security/ Lady Narrator: On the next Destination Casa Blanca, a large number of Latinos admit not to know anything about retirement saving plans and most of them expect to retire solely on the Social Security funds. But will this money be enough? Male Speaker: Social Security from the very beginning was not ... http://www.ss.com/2009/the-future-of-social-security/ [poll id="7"] http://www.ss.com/2009/do-you-believe-social-security-will-be-there-for-you-when-you-retire/ Lady Narrator: While the economy worsens, the future of Social Security remains uncertain. As many baby boomers approach retirement age, the funds are shrinking and expected to vanish. At the Covello Senior Center, many retirees share their concerns about this problem. Milagros Ruiz: You know, we need that check. What ... http://www.ss.com/2009/the-need-for-social-security/ Lady Narrator: By the year 2016, Social Security will spend more than it collects in taxes. This gloomy forecast has many wondering if they will get any money once they retire. Although Andres Vido is only a few years away from retiring, he shares this concern. Andres Vido: In this situation, ... http://www.ss.com/2009/will-social-security-survive/ Lady Speaker: All right, Brian. Thank you. Do you think your Social Security number is safe? Well, you might want to think again. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have found a way to correctly guess your Social Security number just by knowing your state and your date of birth. Male ... http://www.ss.com/2009/researchers-claim-they-can-guess-your-social-security-number/ David John, a Senior research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, explains his position on Social Security as it relates to taxes and health care. He suggests it would be a good solution for the government to raise the age of retirement. David John: The problem is that while I agree ... http://www.ss.com/2009/the-problem-with-social-security/ The biggest misconceptions I hear about Social Security cases are: "If my doctor agrees I can't work, surely I will receive benefits", or "I'm disabled because I can't return to my old job", or "It shouldn't take long to find out if I qualify for disability". The truth is that that it ... http://www.ss.com/2009/the-biggest-misconceptions-about-social-security-disability/ Harold Cameron: A lot of people have been messaging me about applying for Social Security disability benefits, either SSI or SSDI, and I've had some questions, so I'm going use another message here, if you will, another video to try to help maybe keep it real simple for you as ... http://www.ss.com/2009/how-to-apply-for-social-security-disability-ssdi-or-ssi-benefits/ [poll id="6"] http://www.ss.com/2009/what-is-your-current-age/ Center Will Help Agency Handle Calls from Boomer Wave Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency plans to open a new teleservice center (TSC) in Jackson, Tennessee, which will be the first new call center opened by Social Security in more than a decade. The Jackson ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-to-open-new-teleservice-center-in-jackson-tn/ Hi, this is Don Jorgensen again with MySocialSecurityAttorney.com and this... today's topic is going to be Social Security Disability Benefits, SSDI vs. SSI, what's best for me? Now, in order to understand Social Security, or SSI vs. SSDI, let me take a step back. Social Security, everyone knows or most ... http://www.ss.com/2009/ssi-or-ssdi/ Have you applied for and been denied for Social Security Disability? Tell your story to the world by posting your comment. Just yesterday we read a heartbreaking SS disability story by PASMdude, and there are surely other people out there who want to tell their story of being denied or having ... http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-disability-denied/