Key Takeaway: For immigrants to be eligible to collect Social Security benefits, they must meet age, work credit, and lawful residency status requirements. Generally, they must be 62 years or older, have earned a minimum number of work credits, and be either a lawful permanent resident or have other authorized immigration status. There are three…
Key Takeaway: Social Security survivor benefits provide financial support to eligible dependents of a deceased individual. The amount of benefits depends on the deceased individual’s earnings history, age, and marital status. A lump sum death payment may be available to a surviving spouse or dependent child, but it is not available to all survivors. The…
Key Takeaway: A Quality Assurance Review (QAR) is a process that ensures the accuracy and consistency of disability determinations made by Disability Determination Services (DDS) for Social Security Disability. QAR helps to identify areas of improvement and promote better services for beneficiaries. SSA’s QAR process involves evaluating DDS’s performance, selecting cases for review, conducting reviews…
Key Takeaways: To claim a parent as a dependent, the parent must meet certain eligibility criteria including income, relationship, and residency requirements. If a parent receives Social Security income, it may affect their eligibility to be claimed as a dependent. However, as long as the parent’s total income is below a certain threshold, they may…
Key Takeaway: A temporary Social Security Card can be obtained in case of loss or theft of the original card, and can be used as a form of identification for employment and other purposes. To apply for a temporary Social Security Card, gather necessary documents such as a passport or driver’s license and complete Form…
Key Takeaway: Invalid social security numbers can result from typographical errors, fraudulent use, or inactive/expired numbers, and can have serious consequences. Using an invalid social security number can result in tax penalties, ineligibility for government benefits, and difficulties in employment and credit applications. You can check if your social security number is valid by using…
Key Takeaway: Withholding federal taxes from Social Security can ensure you have enough funds to cover your tax liability and avoid owing money at the end of the year. To withhold federal taxes from Social Security, you must determine the appropriate tax amount, complete and submit IRS Form W-4V, and receive confirmation from the Social…
Key Takeaway: Medical conditions that qualify for Social Security Disability include serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and kidney failure, as well as mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. In order to receive Social Security Disability benefits, a person must prove that their condition is severe enough to prevent them from…
Image credits: retiregenz.com by Joel Arnold How to File Taxes When your spouse doesn’t have a social security number, you may encounter difficulties when filing your taxes. The process may seem confusing, but we’ve provided a guide to simplify it. Here’s a 4-step guide on how to file taxes when your spouse doesn’t have a…
Key Takeaway: Social Security benefits are distributed to eligible individuals who have worked and paid into the program during their lifetimes. Benefits are calculated based on a formula that considers the worker’s average earnings over their career. To be eligible for Social Security benefits, individuals must have earned a minimum number of credits and reach…
Key Takeaway: Retirement age has increased: Social Security retirement age has increased to 67 years. This means that workers need to work for a longer period to receive full benefits. Calculation of Benefits: The calculation method for Social Security benefits has changed, particularly for high-earning beneficiaries. This means that these beneficiaries may receive lower payments….
Key takeaway: Social Security Death Benefit is available for eligible surviving family members of a deceased worker. The benefit can help ease financial hardship during a difficult time. To be eligible for Social Security Death Benefit, the surviving family member must have a close relationship with the deceased worker, such as a spouse or dependent…