A Brief Overview Of Social Security For Senior Cit...

By Doug Callahan Still not exactly sure how Social Security works? That’s OK – it’s only been around since 1935. Just kidding … this stuff can be confusing. Let’s see if we can help a little. When President Roosevelt first signed the Social Security Act, it was a reaction to the Great Depression, and all the unemployment and poverty that resulted from it. The system is designed as a way for Americans to deposit a...

Social Security In America, By The Numbers

By Doug Callahan Here are some interesting fact and figures, courtesy of Social Security Online. In 2009, $675.5 billion of Social Security benefits was paid out as part of Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. 36.4 million Americans received Old Age Insurance as a part of Social Security in 2009. The average monthly benefit for retirees was $1,164 in 2009. 65% of seniors get 50% or more of their income from Social...

Paying For Senior Housing And Home Care With Socia...

By Doug Callahan Social Security benefits are an excellent way to supplement the cost of senior housing and home health care. But unfortunately, your monthly Social Security check will probably not cover the costs entirely – but it will certainly help! For example, the cost of living in assisted living facilities usually hovers around $3,000. For comparison, the average monthly benefit for retirees was $1,164 in 2009....

Ways For Seniors To Prevent Identity Theft

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that nine million Americans become victims of identity theft annually. Not only does identity theft cost victims hundreds of dollars but credit reports are inevitably damaged causing an array of consequences from lost job opportunities to denied loan applications. And identity theft can sneak up on you—you may not even know someone has gotten hold of your credit card number until you...

How To Apply for Social Security Online

The Cousins are Back and They’re Filing Online: Patty Duke Reprises Patty and Cathy Lane for new Retire Online Campaign Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, and Patty Duke, Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy winning actress, today unveiled Social Security’s new online retirement application and launched the agency’s Retire Online campaign. Featuring cousins Patty and Cathy Lane from the hit...

Can I apply for Social Security disability benefit...

If you have not seen a doctor and medical information is unavailable, the state Disability Determination Service will arrange for a consultative examination to obtain additional medical information from an appropriate medical source. Social Security will pay for the exam at no cost to...

New US Government Pension and Benefit Plan for Vet...

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reaching out to inform wartime veterans and surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans about an under-used, special monthly pension benefit called Aid and Attendance. “Veterans have earned this benefit by their service to our nation,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “We want to ensure that every veteran or surviving spouse who qualifies has...