By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Questions and Answers
Who can get Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug coverage?
Answer:
Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is available to anyone with Medicare. Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary, and you pay an additional monthly premium for the coverage. People with higher incomes might pay higher premiums.
If you have limited resources and income, you may be eligible for Extra Help to pay for the costs — monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments — related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. To be eligible for Extra Help, you must reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. If your resources and income meet the requirements, you can save nearly $5,900 in prescription costs each year. For 2024, your resources must be limited to $17,220 (or $34,360 if you are married and living with your spouse). Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count your house and car as resources. Your annual income must be limited to $22,590 (or $30,660 if you are married and living with your spouse).
In some cases, you might be able to get assistance even with a higher income. Learn more at www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help.
Question:
I am receiving Social Security retirement benefits and I recently went back to work. Do I have to pay Social Security (FICA) taxes on my income?
Answer:
Yes. By law, your employer must withhold FICA taxes from your paycheck. Although you are retired, you do receive credit for those new earnings. Each year Social Security automatically credits the new earnings. If your new earnings are higher than in any earlier year used to calculate your current benefit, your monthly benefit could increase. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Question:
How can I get a copy of my Social Security Statement?
Answer:
You can get your personal Social Security Statement (Statement)online by using your personal my Social Security account. If you don’t yet have an account, you can easily create one on our website. Your online Statement gives you secure and convenient access to your recent earnings records. It also shows estimates for retirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for.
To set up or use your account to get your online Social Security Statement, go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
We also mail Statements to workers age 60 and over who aren’t receiving Social Security benefits and do not yet have a personal my Social Security account. We mail the Statements 3 months prior to your birthday.
Question:
How can I get proof of my benefits to apply for a loan?
Answer:
If you need proof that you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and/or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online through your personal my Social Security account. This letter is sometimes called a “budget letter,” a “benefits letter,” a “proof of income letter,” or a “proof of award letter.” You even can select the information you want included in your benefit verification letter. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Question:
Will my son be eligible to receive benefits on his retired father’s record while going to college?
Answer:
No. At one time, Social Security did pay benefits to eligible college students. But the law changed in 1981. We now pay benefits only to students taking courses at grade 12 or below. Normally, benefits stop when children reach age 18 unless they have a disability. However, if children are still full-time students at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, benefits generally can continue until they graduate or until 2 months after they reach age 19, whichever is first.
Question:
When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, are benefits payable on that person’s record?
Answer:
Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:
• A surviving spouse—unreduced benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60.
• A surviving spouse with a disability—as early as age 50.
• A surviving spouse at any age if they take care of the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability and is receiving Social Security benefits.
• Unmarried children under 18 or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, or adopted children.
• Children at any age who developed a disability before age 22 and continue to have a disability.
• Dependent parents age 62 or older.
Even if you are divorced, you still may be eligible for survivorsbenefits. For more information, go to www.ssa.gov.
Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Specialist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at hillary.hatch@ssa.gov