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Social Security – Questions and Answers
GENERAL
Question:
Do I need
a Social Security card? I want to get a summer job and my
dad can’t find my card.
Answer:
If you
know your number, you probably don’t need to get another
card. If you find out that you do need a replacement card,
the best place to go to find out how to get a replacement is
www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
In some states and the District of Columbia, you might even
be able to request a replacement Social Security card
online. In other areas, you can download the application to
print out, complete, and submit by mail or in person. If you
do get a replacement card or find the original, you
shouldn’t carry it with you. Keep it in a safe place with
your other important papers. Learn more at
www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
Question:
Can I get
a new Social Security number if someone has stolen my
identity?
Answer:
We don’t
routinely assign a new number to someone whose identity has
been stolen. Only as a last resort should you consider
requesting a new Social Security number. Changing your
number may adversely affect your ability to interact with
Federal and State agencies, employers, and others. This is
because your financial, medical, employment and other
records will be under your former Social Security number. We
cannot guarantee that a new number will solve your problem.
To learn more about your Social Security card and number,
read our online publication Your Social Security Number
and Card at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/.
RETIREMENT
Question:
I just got back from an overseas military deployment and I
want to plan ahead. How will my military retirement affect
my Social Security benefits?
Answer:
Your military retirement won’t affect your Social Security
benefits at all. You can get both. Generally, there is no
offset of Social Security benefits because of your military
retirement. You will get full Social Security benefits based
on your earnings. The only way your Social Security benefit
might be reduced is if you also receive a government pension
based on a job in which you did not pay Social Security
taxes. You can find more information in the publication
Military Service and Social Security at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html. Or call
us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Question:
I'm retiring early, at age 62, and I receive investment
income from a rental property I own. Does investment income
count as earnings?
Answer:
No. We count only the wages you earn from a job or your net
profit if you're self-employed. Non-work income such as
annuities, investment income, interest, capital gains, and
other government benefits are not counted and will not
affect your Social Security benefits. Most pensions will not
affect your benefits. However, your benefit may be affected
by government pensions earned through work on which you did
not pay Social Security tax. You can retire online at
www.socialsecurity.gov.
For more information, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213
(TTY 1-800-325-0778).
DISABILITY
Question:
I was
turned down for disability. Do I need a lawyer to appeal?
Answer:
You’re
entitled to hire an attorney if you wish to, but it is not
necessary. And, you can file a Social Security appeal online
without a lawyer. Our online appeal process is convenient
and secure. Just go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/appeal. If you
prefer, call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to
schedule an appointment to visit your local Social Security
office to appeal.
Question:
It’s hard for me to get around because of my disability. Do
I have to go to a Social Security office to apply for
benefits?
Answer:
Not
anymore. You can prepare and submit your Social Security
disability application and all the needed forms right over
the Internet. Our online disability application is
convenient and secure. When you decide to apply, begin by
taking a look at our Disability Starter Kit at
www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
Question:
My brother has been completely disabled from birth. He gets
Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Our grandfather died
recently and left him a little money. Will this extra money
stop his SSI benefits?
Answer:
It all depends on the amount of the inheritance. Inheritance
money is considered income for the month he received it.
You’ll have to report the income and we will adjust his
benefit for the month accordingly. If he keeps the money
into the next month, it then becomes a part of his
resources. To get SSI benefits, he is limited to $2,000 in
total resources, although there are exceptions. Call Social
Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and report
the inheritance. We’ll tell you how your brother’s
eligibility will be affected. For more information, visit
our website at
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question:
My dad receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
He soon will be coming to live with my brother. Does he have
to report the move to Social Security?
Answer:
Yes. He should report to us within 10 days any change in
living arrangements. The change could affect his benefit.
Failure to report the change could result in a penalty being
deducted from his SSI benefits. Also, we need his correct
address so we can send correspondence. Please have him call
Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Or,
he can report the change by mail or in person at a Social
Security office. Visit our website for more information at
www.socialsecurity.gov.
MEDICARE
Question:
Should I
sign up for Medicare Part B if I am working and have health
insurance through an employer?
Answer:
Choosing
to sign up for Medicare is an important decision that
involves a number of issues you may need to consider. The
decision you make will depend on your situation and the type
of health insurance you have. You may be able to delay
signing up for Medicare Part B without a late enrollment
penalty if you or your spouse (or a family member, if you’re
disabled) is working, and you’re getting health insurance
benefits based on current employment.
In many cases, if you don't sign up for Part B when you're
first eligible, you'll have to pay a late enrollment penalty
for as long as you have Part B. Also, you may have to wait
until the General Enrollment Period (from January 1 to March
31) to enroll in Part B, and coverage will start July 1 of
that year.
Find out
how your coverage works with Medicare at www.medicare.gov
or contact your employer or union benefits
administrator.
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