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

by Matthews, Joseph L.

• ISBN13: 9781413310979
• ISBN10: 1413310974
• Edition: 15th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-02-26
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

Everyone wants the highest possible retirement and pension income-not to mention the best medical coverage. Discover everything you're entitled to with this completely updated edition of Social Security, Medicare Government Pensions.

Author Biography

Joseph Matthews, an attorney since 1971, has written several Nolo titles, including How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim and Long-Term Care. Dorothy Matthews Berman, Joseph's mother, worked with seniors for over 25 years.

Table of Contents

Your Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions Companion	p. 1
Social Security: The Basics	p. 9
History of Social Security	p. 11
Social Security Defined	p. 15
Eligibility for Benefits	p. 18
Earning Work Credits	p. 24
Determining Your Benefit Amount	p. 26
Your Social Security Earnings Record	p. 29
Reading Your Social Security Statement	p. 32
Correcting Your Record	p. 37
U.S. Citizens' Rights to Receive Benefits While Living Abroad	p. 40
Receiving Benefits as a Noncitizen	p. 40
Social Security Retirement Benefits	p. 45
Work Credits Required	p. 47
Timing Your Retirement	p. 50
The Amount of Your Retirement Check	p. 56
Working After Claiming Early Retirement Benefits	p. 60
Social Security Disability Benefits	p. 65
Who Is Eligible	p. 67
What Is a Disability	p. 73
Amount of Disability Benefit Payments	p. 80
Collecting Additional Benefits	p. 83
Eligibility Review	p. 86
Returning to Work	p. 88
Social Security Dependents Benefits	p. 91
Who Is Eligible	p. 92
Calculating Dependents Benefits	p. 95
Eligibility for More Than One Benefit	p. 97
Working While Receiving Benefits	p. 98
Government Pension Offset	p. 99
Social Security Survivors Benefits	p. 103
Work Credits Required for Eligibility	p. 104
Who Is Eligible	p. 105
Amount of Survivors Benefits	p. 108
Eligibility for More Than One Benefit	p. 111
Working While Receiving Benefits	p. 113
Government Pension Offset	p. 114
When to Claim Social Security Benefits, and Which One to Claim	p. 117
Considerations for All Beneficiaries	p. 118
Considerations for Specific Situations	p. 123
Supplemental Security Income	p. 131
Who Is Eligible	p. 132
Benefit Amounts	p. 141
Reductions to Benefits	p. 143
Applying for Benefits	p. 147
Retirement, Dependents, and Survivors Benefits	p. 148
Disability Benefits	p. 157
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	p. 163
Finding Out What Happens to Your Claim	p. 165
Appealing a Social Security Decision	p. 171
Reconsideration of Decision	p. 173
Administrative Hearing	p. 182
Appeal to the National Appeals' Council	p. 188
Lawsuit in Federal Court	p. 190
Lawyers and Other Assistance	p. 191
Federal Civil Service Retirement Benefits	p. 199
Two Retirement Systems: CSRS and FERS	p. 201
Retirement Benefits	p. 202
Disability Benefits to Federal Workers	p. 217
Payments to Surviving Family Members	p. 221
Applying for CSRS or FERS Benefits	p. 224
Veterans Benefits	p. 225
Types of Military Service Required	p. 226
Compensation for Service-Connected Disability	p. 227
Pension Benefits for Financially Needy Disabled Veterans	p. 231
Survivors Benefits	p. 233
Medical Treatment	p. 235
Getting Information and Applying for Benefits	p. 237
Medicare	p. 239
The Medicare Maze	p. 243
Medicare: The Basics	p. 245
Part A Hospital Insurance	p. 250
How Much Medicare Part A Pays	p. 264
Part B Medical Insurance	p. 272
How Much Medicare Part B Pays	p. 285
Part D Prescription Drug Coverage	p. 294
Medicare Procedures: Enrollment, Claims, and Appeals	p. 327
Enrolling in Part A Hospital Insurance	p. 329
Enrolling in Part B Medical Insurance	p. 333
Medicare's Payment of Your Medical Bills	p. 335
Paying Your Share of the Bill	p. 342
How to Read a Medicare Summary Notice	p. 342
Appealing the Dental of a Claim	p. 348
Medicare Part D: Enrollment, Exceptions, and Appeals	p. 367
Switching Part D Plans	p. 375
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)	p. 378
Medigap Insurance	p. 379
Gaps in Medicare	p. 381
Standard Medigap Benefit Plans	p. 383
Terms and Conditions of Medigap Policies	p. 397
Finding the Best Medicare Supplement	p. 404
Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans	p. 411
Medicare Advantage Managed Care Plans	p. 415
Medicare Advantage Fee-for-Service Plans	p. 419
Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan	p. 421
Comparing Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans	p. 433
Your Rights When Joining, Leaving, or Losing a Medicare Advantage Plan	p. 437
Medicaid and State Supplements to Medicare	p. 439
Medicaid Defined	p. 441
Who Is Eligible	p. 442
Medical Costs Covered by Medicaid	p. 447
Requirements for Coverage	p. 450
Cost of Medicaid Coverage	p. 452
Other State Assistance	p. 453
Applying for Medicaid, QMB, SLMB, or QI	p. 456
What to Do If You Are Denied Coverage	p. 459
Index	p. 461
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