MONEY & RETIREMENT

To Tax Or Not to Tax - A Social Security Question

Written by Joan Permar - Social Security Manager

When it comes to Social Security benefits, you may be wondering who must pay taxes on them and who does not. Let’s look at the numbers.

If you file a federal tax return as an "individual" and your total income is more than $25,000, then the answer for you is yes: you’ll have to pay federal taxes on your benefits. If you file a joint return and you and your spouse have a total income more than $32,000, you’ll be expected to pay federal taxes as well. 

SOCIAL SECURITY: To Tax Or Not to Tax - A Social Security Question

Apply for Social Security

Written by Living Well Webmaster

Many Americans begin each new year with a list of resolutions and goals.  You may want to go on a diet, shed a little weight, do a bit more exercising, or clean out the long-neglected attic.  The trouble is these well-intended goals often melt away long before winter’s snow does.  

So why not make a resolution that’s easier to keep? 

If applying for retirement benefits is on your list of things to do this year, resolve to do it online.  To get started, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.   

SOCIAL SECURITY: Apply for Social Security

SOCIAL SECURITY CAN BENEFIT SURVIVING HUSBANDS OR WIVES (AND KIDS)

Written by Laurie Stuchlik

So here are some basic facts that may interest you about Social Security survivors insurance. 

   If you are working and paying into Social Security, some of your Social Security taxes go toward survivors insurance. In fact, for most workers, the value of the survivors insurance under Social Security may be more than the value of any life insurance policy owned. 

   Who can receive survivors benefits based on your work? Your surviving husband or wife may be able to receive full benefits at his or her full retirement age.   They also can choose to take reduced Survivors benefits as early as age 60. And, if your surviving spouse is disabled, benefits can begin as early as age 50.

SOCIAL SECURITY: SOCIAL SECURITY CAN BENEFIT SURVIVING HUSBANDS OR WIVES (AND KIDS)

What Papers Do I need for my Taxes?

Written by Living Well Webmaster

Tax Prep 101 - Year End File Organization

I know that I dread this time of year.. Especially since I am a paperwork disaster.. As I come across these articles, I will add them so you can look all in one place. Living Well Magazine tries to  make our daily tasks easier, so instead of going to one hundred sites... all in one place, and maybe tax time won't be so stressful !  

TAXES: What Papers Do I need for my Taxes?

RETIREMENT ESTIMATOR EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE

Written by Loretta R. Hixenbaugh - Social Security Manager

    Improvements to one of the most popular online services in government — the Retirement Estimator,allow more people than ever before to get a personalized and instant estimate of future Social Security retirement benefits.

    Since its launch last year, the Retirement Estimator has provided more than four million personalized estimates, and is one of the most highly rated online services in government.

RETIREMENT: RETIREMENT ESTIMATOR EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE

Questions and Answers on Social Security

Written by Living Well Webmaster

Question: I applied for my baby’s Social Security number in the hospital but have not received it. How long does it take?

In many states, where the birth registration process is electronic, the average wait is four weeks.  But in other states, the wait can be twice or three times as long.  Here’s why. When a parent requests a Social Security number for a newborn as part of the birth registration process in the hospital, the state vital statistics office forwards to Social Security the information needed to assign a number to the child and issue a card.  From the time Social Security receives the data, the process of assigning the number and issuing the card takes about two weeks. Learn more about Social Security cards and numbers at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

SOCIAL SECURITY: Questions and Answers on Social Security