Amit Mehta asked:


People who are gainfully employed have Social Security records. Through tax deducted from your monthly payroll, you make a contribution to a social insurance program, forming the basis of these documents. These records contain your Social Security number as well as other relevant information such as your full name, date of birth, contact numbers, dependents, and others.

Social Security documents enable you to obtain benefits for three major instances. The first is for disability, where you are temporarily or permanently unable to return to work because you became physically or mentally impaired. The second area for claiming benefits is for retirement from employment. The third and final incidence would be for death, wherein your dependents will be able to make a claim.

The Importance of Social Security Records

Familiarity with your own Social Security documents is crucial for the obvious reason that you are mandated by law to make contributions to the government through salary deductions. And the way to maximize these contributions is by becoming aware of the benefits that you are entitled to at any time in your work life.

For instance, your retirement age is dependent on the year that you were born and if you retire earlier than the required age, then you will get a smaller benefit package. The reverse is also true since if you delay retirement, then you will be entitled to a much larger benefit package.

In recent years, Social Security documents have had to be placed under tighter control and protection because of incidents of identity theft and fraud. Some people acquire the records of other people so that they can claim benefits that are not rightfully theirs. Indeed, there have been many instances where people diligently make their contributions only to find out that somebody else has robbed them of their benefits.

A worse scenario is when one’s records have been used by others to open bank accounts and obtain credit cards. In this case, the unwitting victim is accumulating debt and his credit record is being tarnished by others. All of these point to one thing – it is important that you regularly get a copy of your Social Security documents so that you can monitor your records and report any false entries immediately.

So how do you access your records?

Your Social Security records can easily be asked for online. You can apply for your benefits online too in addition to being able to update your records, and block access of your information to others. It is undeniably cheaper, faster and more efficient to transact online. Another advantage of accessing these online documents is that they are ideal for people who are disabled or incapacitated and cannot go to a nearby Social Security office.

Your Social Security information is one of the most important records you have so use it and protect it wisely.



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FDP Inc. asked:


Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security Income (SSI) is part of the Federal Social Security program that provides monthly disability payments to those who are younger than full retirement age, unable to engage in substantial employment activities. If one is applying for Social Security Disability benefits, having a lawyer, that has a good knowledge of how the Social Security Disability claims process works is critical and can improve the chances of getting the case approved in the application stage or at the hearing level.

To find the suitable lawyer www.social-security-lawyers.net – National Directory of Social Security Lawyers, launched by FDP Inc. is an ideal website to start with. A qualified and experienced social security lawyer can guide through all the process of claiming the Income and also answer the queries of Social Security. The website has a large directory of social security lawyers from all over the country, just entering the zip code, a lawyer can be easily found from a nearby area. It is a complete user friendly website, truly worth it! If one is applying for Social Security Disability benefits, having a lawyer, that has a good knowledge of how the Social Security Disability claims process works is critical and can improve the chances of getting the case approved in the application stage or at the hearing level.

Experienced and Qualified Social Security Lawyers are also invited to register at www.social-security-lawyers.net/Register.aspx , the growing network of Nationwide Social Security Lawyers. The client list of the lawyers can be improved as the site directs captured search requests from the web to the registered members. The help of a lawyer is precious as there are many search requests from all over the country through the web.



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Luis R Cardenas asked:


The main idea of the social security program is people welfare. The United States created this program based in what other countries in Europe were doing for its citizens. This program has experimented many changes since its creation in 1935. When this program was signed by President Roosevelt, the idea was to provide retirement income for people 65 or older. Lately the government has made changes on the retirement age and social security income requirements. People in the US are starting to worry about the Social Security funds which they think are getting lower and lower with time. The main question could be: Is there going to be money left when you retire. 

The average Social Security Check a retired person gets is around $1000.00 per month and usually does not replace more than 60% of the income they were making before retirement. The main factor that contributes to set a check figure is the average annual income the retired person was making while he/she was working. If that person was not able to save on a 401k program or any other retirement account before deciding to leave the workforce, he/she will have to considerably lower their living standards to be able to retire. But, it could get worst! 

It is considered by many that if congress does not make a big injection of money to the social security funds soon, money will run out within the next 30 years. In the past few years the Social Security reforms have helped alleviate the problem but, currently, more money is been paid to retirees than what the administration is collecting. In other words, more money is going out than what is coming in. If the social security administration don’t get at least 6 trillion dollars soon, we could expect the fund to run out by the year 2041 and it considers the contribution of tax payers made during that period too. The Social security administration has considered lowering the social security payment in the future. Would you like that? 

Without a doubt we need a Social Security reform soon. But we need to know where the money is going to come from. Congress can not make a good reform if it has not been studied as for its consequences. It is very difficult to consider a tax increase when the economy may not be able to support its impact. The normal citizen may be pushed to avoid paying what for others could be considered fair but some do not have. Our best option at this time could be to start preparing our selves by saving money for retirement through a retirement account or long term investments but not every person will be able to do it. 

We need to make conscience that the Social Security fund may not be enough for everybody to retire unless something is done soon. Due to the actual situation some people are thinking about how to survive the moment but time does not stop and we have to get ready for the future. Our congress needs to start working on a reform and stop thinking about the next election or how to look good in the eyes of the voters. We could be sure that good ideas are welcomed by your congressman because if he/she can not come up with something we may be able to help. Think about it. We may be able to change things.  The point is that we need a reform NOW!



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Claysphere Rivera asked:


 

This article will tackle about Social Security Death Benefits, in matters of its purpose, coverage and entitlement, including the value of Attorney representation in claims of this sort.

A good way to start would be to discuss significant points regarding Social Security Death Benefits.

Social Security Death Benefits

Everyone who works in the United States is mandated or required by law to pay into Social Security. Upon occurrence of circumstances such as disability or upon retirement, these benefits are paid out to the person who contributed into Social Security. This is normally how the system works.

Specifically, when a member dies, the benefits that he/she are entitled for or was receiving does not expire with his/her death. Instead, they are passed on or transferred to certain eligible members of his/her family. The benefits that the surviving family will get are capped as survivor’s benefits.

Under the Social Security guidelines, if a person worked, paid Social Security taxes and have earned good amount of work credits, any eligible members of the person’s surviving family can be entitled for survivors benefit upon his death.

The number of years a benefactor needs to work for their family to be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits depends on his/her age when he or she dies. The younger a person is, the fewer years he or she needs to work. However, no one needs more than 10 years of work to be fully insured or eligible for any Social Security benefit.

Eligible Survivors

The rules are more complex in this matter. However, as a general overview these people can receive Social Security death benefits, given any of the following conditions:



Your spouse (full benefits upon retirement, reduced benefits at age 60, and full benefits for disabled individuals 50 and older)

Your spouse at any age, who is taking care of your child who is under age 16 or disabled

Your ex-spouse age 60 or over (50 or older if disabled) who was married to you for at least 10 years

Your ex-spouse at any age, who is taking care of your child who is under age 16 or disabled

Dependent parents who are 62 or older

Disabled children of any age

Unmarried children under 18, up to the age of 19 who are still in high school full time

Stepchildren, grandchildren, and adopted children (circumstances vary with these survivors)



Benefit Amount

The amount of Social Security death benefits that a survivor can receive depends on several different factors.

However, the benefits that an eligible family will receive monthly from survivor benefits depend on the decedent-member’s average lifetime earnings. That means, the higher the earnings, the higher the benefits. In turn, the monthly benefit is equal to a percentage of the decedent-member’s basic Social Security benefits. The percentage depends on the survivor’s age and relationship to the decedent-member.

This is all too complex and complicated. For better light on this matter, you can confer with a Social Security Attorney to give you a clearer and detailed account.

Lump-sum benefit

If the decedent-member has accumulated enough work credits, his or her surviving spouse or minor children may receive a lump-sum benefit of $255, if they meet certain requirements.

For the surviving spouse to be eligible, he/she must have been living with the decedent-member at the time of the latter’s death, or if living apart, must have been receiving benefits based on the decedent-members earnings record.

If the decedent-member is not married at the time of his or her death, the death benefits may be divided among his/her children who are eligible.

Actions Needed

After the death of the decedent-member, it is significant that survivors take all the essential steps to determine the availability of Social Security Death Benefits. On this score, it is relevant to consider the hiring of a Social Security Death Benefits Lawyer who is adeptly knowledgeable with claims and compensation under the Social Security.

Because of the complexities in the procedure of filing a death benefit application, the surviving family may necessitate the aid of a Social Security representative in order to have better chances of approval. In Los Angeles, there is a considerable number of qualified Social Security Lawyers who can help you in this respect.

Closing tune

With the great depression brought about by the death of a loved one, there is a reason to feel low and a great reason to move on. For the surviving family members, when you happen to be in this situation, be quick to respond in order to get the rightful Social Security benefits at the soonest. For more help and assistance, seek Attorney’s services.

Our expert Los Angeles social security lawyers are knowledgeable with issues such as death benefit claims. For more information, you can log on to our website and have your case evaluated.



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Adriane Lauren Luna asked:


Losing a loved one is hard. It is additionally difficult when that person was the one who was providing for the family. Without him, family members begin to think that they had no one else to turn to for support, especially for emotional and financial support.

 

Luckily, this is not true. Social Security came up with a seamless solution. With the help of the Social Security Survivor Benefits Program, surviving family members would be able to get on their feet after the loss and start anew.

 

What is Survivor Benefits?

 

It is a program launched by the Social Security to aid surviving family members by providing them monthly pensions based on the contributions given by the deceased wage earner to Social Security.

 

How can a worker be eligible for Survivor Benefits?

 

By paying contributions to the Social Security, a worker earns credits that are transmitted to his Survivor Benefits. Generally, his eligibility is founded on the number of years he/she worked and how old he/she died.

 

Younger workers earn higher credits than older workers. Nevertheless, a worker who has rendered 10 years of service is automatically entitled to the Survivor Benefits.

 

Exception: If within three years before the worker’s death, he had worked for only a year and a half, his children and his spouse (who cared for his children) shall be entitled to survivor’s benefits.

 

How much Survivor Benefits will I receive?

 

The computation for the Survivor Benefits is based on how much the deceased paid to Social Security. The more contribution he/she gave the more benefits the family members will receive. It is calculated by getting the percentage based on his basic benefits amount. The said percentage shall vary on how old the survivors are and how they are related to the deceased wage earner. For instance:

 



The Widow or widower gets 100% benefits if he is within the retirement age or older.

The Widow or widower gets 71-94% benefits if he is between 60 to 64 years old.



 



The Widow or widower, regardless of the age, gets 75% benefits if with a child under age 16.



 



The Children gets 75% benefits.



 

What is the one-time death payment?

 

A one-time payment of $255 shall be given to a spouse or to the minor children if they have met the requirements set by the Social Security and if the deceased worker has worked long enough.

 

Who receives the survivor benefits?

 

Not all family members get to receive the survivor benefits. Only those eligible receives them. They are as follows:

 



The widow or widower who shall receive the (a) full benefit if 65 years or older; or if disabled and 50 years or older; (b) reduced benefit if aged 60 years.







The widow or widower who shall receive benefits, regardless of age, if she/he takes care of the deceased’s child (a) entitled to child’s benefit and is age 16 and below; or (b) who is disabled.



 



The unmarried children who are (a) 18 years and below; (b) up to 19 years old if attending full time elementary or secondary school; (c) disabled, regardless of age, if became disabled before turning 22 and remain disabled.



 



The stepchildren, grandchildren, stepgrandchildren or adopted children, under certain circumstances.



 



The dependent parents if they are 62 years and above.



What should I present to avail of the survivor benefits?

The following may be presented by the dependents in order to claim the survivor benefits of a deceased loved one:



Proof of death;



 



The deceased’s and your social security number;



 



Your birth certificate;



 



Your marriage certificate;



 



Your divorce papers;



 



The social security numbers of dependent children;



 



The birth certificate of dependent children;



 



W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year of the deceased worker; and



 



The bank’s name and your account number where you want the survivor benefits to be deposited.



For more questions on Survivor Benefits, it would be advisable to consult a Social Security Attorney near you.

 

 

 



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Sammy Beanard asked:


The value of Social Security should be determined by its effectiveness as a social insurance program, combining elements of both individual equity and social adequacy.

Because benefits are related to a worker’s lifetime earnings, individual equity is an intrinsic part of the Social Security concept.

But to understand and evaluate the program, we have to remember that certain features of Social Security are geared toward meeting broad-based social needs rather than simply whether or not an individual is getting a good return on the dollar.

For example, the basic benefit formula is designed, and always has been, to replace a higher proportion of earnings for low earners than for high earners.

Also, there is another part of the social adequacy aspect of Social Security. Dependents’ and survivors’ benefits are paid to workers with families.

Because the program strikes a balance between the goals of individual equity and social adequacy, I believe we must judge Social Security’s value by how well it performs as an entire package of social insurance protection.

The value of benefits for any given worker depends on his or her individual circumstances, whether that worker has high earnings or low earnings, whether that worker is married or has children, whether that worker becomes disabled, dies prematurely, or receives benefits far into old age.

Some people can expect to get back more than they put into Social Security, some to break even, and some to get less.

The value of these programs cannot be overestimated. For example, over 40 percent of male workers and nearly 30 percent of female workers will become disabled or die before they reach retirement age.

They may not get their money’s worth if you only look at whether they get their contributions back and do not consider the program’s other aspects.

So Social Security disability and survivors’ benefits assure workers that they and their families will not become destitute. And when we assess the value of Social Security, we have to take that into consideration.

Social Security is an integral part of American life. Virtually the entire labor force pays Social Security taxes.

And people count on Social Security to be there for them when they retire. And they count on Social Security to be there for their families should they become disabled or die.

The American people have a right and a need to know that Social Security is still a valuable program.



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