Tips on how to apply for disability benefits Published: Sun, May 27, 2012 Q: How do I apply for disability benefits? A: Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov; or call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, to make an appointment to apply for benefits at your local Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take your application over the telephone. Get a head start... Read More

Gambling with Social Security Published: Mon, May 21, 2012 I find it rather curious that baby boomers, many of whom, in their youth, decried the accumulation of wealth and the materialism of their parents, are the first generation in history to regard Social Security not as the safety net it was intended to be but rather as a pot of gravy to pour over their already meaty... Read More

Bureaucracy inaction Published: Mon, May 14, 2012 Q: I want to apply for Social Security benefits on my ex-husband's record. I called Social Security to ask how to do this. The lady on the phone told me they can't even talk to me until I have original copies of the marriage certificate and divorce papers. I have the divorce papers but don't have the marriage... Read More

Reform 'yes' ... panic 'no' Published: Mon, May 7, 2012 I was all set to submit a column to my editor with reactions to the fact sheet I recently offered my readers called "When to Take Your Social Security Benefits." But then I woke up this morning to this headline in my morning paper: "Social Security Drain is Gaining Momentum." It was yet another news report... Read More

Social Security Q&A Updated: Fri, May 4, 2012 Special Social Security rules called “work incentives” can help recipients keep benefits and Medicare while they test their ability to work. Read More

Benefits for little ones cause big stink Published: Mon, Apr 30, 2012 Sometimes I am just blown away by the reaction I get to a column. I write what I think is the most innocuous and non-controversial answer to someone's question about Social Security benefits — and then, out of the blue, my email inbox is flooded with letters. Some of them have an inquisitive "this can't... Read More

When to take your Social Security -- a new fact sheet Published: Mon, Apr 23, 2012 Well, dear readers: do you want the good news ... or the bad news? Let me get the bad news out of the way first. I've been working on a new fact sheet for my readers (that's actually the good news -- but more about that in a minute); and as part of my research, I've discovered that I haven't been completely clear... Read More

More SSI clarification Published: Mon, Apr 16, 2012 Q: I read your article explaining that SSI is not a Social Security benefit and is not paid for out of Social Security taxes. But I'm still confused. What is the difference between Social Security disability and SSI disability? And how are they different from regular Social Security? A. I'm always puzzled when... Read More

Maximum payout impacts benefits to a retiree's family Published: Mon, Apr 9, 2012 Q: I am 67 years old. I took my Social Security at age 66. I have a 17-year-old son, a 14-year-old daughter and a 57-year-old wife. All three of them are getting benefits as dependents on my account. The Social Security office told me that my kids will keep getting checks until age 19. And my wife will get Social... Read More

The 'notch' won't go away Published: Mon, Apr 2, 2012 Q: You recently wrote a column in which you called the "notch" a hoax and a scam. I want you to know that you are wrong. At one time, there were millions of us who were cheated out of Social Security benefits that were rightfully ours. There aren't so many of us left, because the government is willing to let us... Read More

Agency checkup nothing to fear Published: Mon, Mar 26, 2012 Q: I am a certified public accountant. One of my clients, who signed up for his Social Security about a year ago, just got a letter from Social Security's "Office of Quality Assurance." The people there want to redo his claim for benefits. And they are asking him to bring in his military discharge papers (he was... Read More

This Florida doctor is a quack Published: Mon, Mar 19, 2012 Sometimes, I really feel as if I should just give up. In fact, if it were not for the encouraging emails I get from many of my readers telling me to "hang in there" and "keep up the good fight," I probably would have stopped addressing bogus emails that spread lies and misinformation about Social Security a long... Read More

SSI is not Social Security Published: Mon, Mar 12, 2012 Near the end of last year, around the holidays, I wrote a column that addressed what I called the 12 Myths of Social Security. It was supposed to be a takeoff on the "12 Days of Christmas" — get it? Anyway, earlier this year, I wrote another column addressing what I said was an even bigger misconception about... Read More

Social Security Q&A Published: Sun, Mar 11, 2012 Questions and answers about Social Security. Read More

Business owner gets lucky Published: Mon, Mar 5, 2012 Q: My wife and I own a dry cleaning business. I am about to turn 62 and want to start my Social Security. So we plan to put the business in my wife's name. I will draw a small salary — about $14,000, just enough to stay under the Social Security earnings limit. The rest of the business income will go under my... Read More