Posted on May 31, 2007 by Jason
Journal & Courier Online, May 30th, 2007
We have just honored our military service members
on Memorial Day. Social Security announced on May 25 that it will
expedite payment of survivors and disability applications for our
military service members and their qualified family members.
The
Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Michael J.
Astrue, announced that Social Security wants active duty personnel and
their families to know that procedures are now in place to expedite
survivors applications and disability claims that apply to any injured
military service member, no matter where the injury occurred.
Commissioner
Astrue stated: “I want to assure the brave men and women of our Armed
Forces and their families that they will not have to wait for these
needed benefits. The special process is just one way Social Security
can show our military personnel how much we appreciate their service.”
Survivors
eligible for benefits should call Social Security’s toll-free number –
1-800-772-1213 — to sign up. SSA reports there is a
specially-dedicated immediate claims taking unit that processes an
application at the time of contact. Those applications received in a
local Social Security office also are expedited and are given priority
handling.
Read more of this Article.
Posted on May 31, 2007 by Jason
Monsters & Critics.com, May 30th, 2007
The age U.S. workers choose to retire is rising, after falling for more than 100 years, U.S. government statistics show.
In the mid-1980s, 18 percent of people in their late 60s still had
jobs, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The figure is now
up to 29 percent, it said.
And experts say it will continue to rise as workers face the
prospect of a lengthy and expensive old age, with limited retirement
benefits, the Los Angeles Times reported.
More than one in four baby boomers — born from 1946 to 1964 — say
they never plan to retire, a recent survey by the National Association
of Realtors showed.
In contrast to the latter half of the 20th century — with Social
Security retirement benefits, Medicare health insurance and guaranteed
income through employer pensions — workers today face a hazardous
landscape, the Times said.
Traditional pensions are rare. Companies have cut back retiree healthcare benefits. Even Social Security is retrenching.
Workers born in 1960 and later will have to wait until age 67, rather than 65, to get their full retirement benefits.
And more Social Security benefits will be subject to income tax and higher Medicare premiums.
Read more of this article.
