Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits

by Matthews, Joseph L.

• ISBN13: 9781413305760
• ISBN10: 1413305768
• Edition: 12th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-03-01
• Publisher: INGRAM PUB SERVICES

Summary

Everyone wants to get the highest possible retirement and pension income-not to mention the best medical coverage. Turn to the completely updated 12th edition of Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions to discover the benefits you're entitled to, and to claim them as easily as possible. Social Security benefits. Find all the latest information and instructions you need to get your retirement and disability benefits, dependents and survivors benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Medicare & Medicaid. Learn the nuts and bolts of both programs, plus how to qualify and apply for them. Understand Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage-what it covers, how to apply for it and how to use it with your medigap policy, managed care plan or Medicaid. Medical coverage options. Get the latest information on Medicare and Medicaid HMOs and other managed care plans, and learn about the different types of medigap health plans. Government pensions & veterans benefits. Discover when and how to claim the benefits you have earned. Practical advice for anyone thinking about retirement. Find out how much your benefits will be when you plan to claim them. Time your retirement to get the best benefits. Fill out and file important benefit forms. And more! Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Social Security: The Basics
History of Social Security	p. 11
Social Security Defined	p. 15
Eligibility for Benefits	p. 17
Earning Work Credits	p. 23
Determining Your Benefit Amount	p. 25
Your Social Security Earnings Record	p. 28
Reading Your Social Security Statement	p. 31
Correcting Your Record	p. 36
U.S. Citizens' Rights to Receive Benefits While Living Abroad	p. 39
Receiving Benefits as a Noncitizen	p. 39
Social Security Retirement Benefits
Work Credits Required	p. 47
Timing Your Retirement	p. 50
The Amount of Your Retirement Check	p. 61
Working After Claiming Early Retirement Benefits	p. 65
Social Security Disability Benefits
Who Is Eligible	p. 71
What Is a Disability	p. 77
Amount of Disability Benefit Payments	p. 84
Collecting Additional Benefits	p. 87
Eligibility Review	p. 90
Returning to Work	p. 92
Social Security Dependents Benefits
Who Is Eligible	p. 96
Calculating Dependents Benefits	p. 99
Eligibility for More Than One Benefit	p. 101
Working While Receiving Benefits	p. 102
Government Pension Offset	p. 103
Social Security Survivors Benefits
Work Credits Required for Eligibility	p. 108
Who Is Eligible	p. 109
Amount of Survivors Benefits	p. 112
Eligibility for More Than One Benefit	p. 115
Working While Receiving Benefits	p. 117
Government Pension Offset	p. 118
Supplemental Security Income
Who Is Eligible	p. 122
Benefit Amounts	p. 130
Reductions to Benefits	p. 132
Applying for Benefits
Retirement, Dependents, and Survivors Benefits	p. 136
Disability Benefits	p. 145
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	p. 150
Finding Out What Happens to Your Claim	p. 153
Appealing a Social Security Decision
Reconsideration of Decision	p. 159
Administrative Hearing	p. 168
Appeal to the National Appeals Council	p. 174
Lawsuit in Federal Court	p. 175
Lawyers and Other Assistance	p. 176
Federal Civil Service Retirement Benefits
Two Retirement Systems: CSRS and FERS	p. 187
Retirement Benefits	p. 188
Disability Benefits to Federal Workers	p. 203
Payments to Surviving Family Members	p. 207
Applying for CSRS or FERS Benefits	p. 210
Veterans Benefits
Types of Military Service Required	p. 212
Compensation for Service-Connected Disability	p. 213
Pension Benefits for Financially Needy Disabled Veterans	p. 217
Survivors Benefits	p. 219
Medical Treatment	p. 221
Getting Information and Applying for Benefits	p. 223
Medicare
The Medicare Maze	p. 229
Medicare: The Basics	p. 230
Hospital Insurance	p. 235
How Much Medicare Part A Pays	p. 249
Medical Insurance	p. 257
How Much Medicare Part B Pays	p. 270
Prescription Drug Coverage	p. 279
Deciding on a Part D Plan	p. 302
Medicare Procedures: Enrollment, Claims, and Appeals
Hospital Insurance	p. 313
Medical Insurance	p. 317
Medicare's Payment of Your Medical Bills	p. 319
Paying Your Share of the Bill	p. 326
How to Read a Medicare Summary Notice	p. 326
Appealing the Denial of a Claim	p. 332
Medicare Part D: Enrollment, Exceptions, and Appeals	p. 351
Switching Part D Plans	p. 359
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP)	p. 362
Medigap Insurance
Gaps in Medicare	p. 365
Standard Medigap Benefit Plans	p. 367
Terms and Conditions of Medigap Policies	p. 380
Finding the Best Medicare Supplement	p. 388
Medicare Managed Care Plans
The Structure of Managed Care	p. 399
Choosing a Medicare Managed Care Plan	p. 403
Comparing Medigap and Managed Care Plans	p. 414
Your Rights When Joining, Leaving, or Losing Managed Care Coverage	p. 417
Medicaid and State Supplements to Medicare
Medicaid Defined	p. 423
Who Is Eligible	p. 424
Medical Costs Covered by Medicaid	p. 429
Requirements for Coverage	p. 432
Cost of Medicaid Coverage	p. 434
Other State Assistance	p. 435
Index
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.