Every now and then we like to checkout Social Security’s blog that deals with different topics and programs Social Security offers. One feature these blogs offer is a place to comment about the content of the blog. Typically, if you read most stories on the internet that offer a place to comment you will get some nasty comments about politics, but also some really misinformed comments. The Social Security blog is no different.
Ex-Spousal Benefits
After a recent blog post related to ex-spousal benefits and how they affect individuals a number of people commented with thoughts on the program, of course many of these comments provided wrong information about the program. One of the posters stated that they had a divorce agreement where no spousal support to either party was issued. This person did not understand this Social Security program because divorce is a state law issue and Social Security is a federal program. If a marriage lasts 10 years or longer, an ex-spouse may be eligible to receive benefits on your record at 62 or older.
Filing Taxes
In an informational blog about filing taxes and how Social Security recipients could get their benefit statement in preparation for filing their taxes, one of the better questions was “If I receive SSI and SSD, am I eligible to file taxes? I am curious if I can claim taxes?” A proper response was issued by a Social Security employee this response was “some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income.”
Planning For Retirement
The final blog entry we looked at what about questions you should ask yourself as you plan for retirement. These are helpful questions because it gets people talking about how much money they will need when they retire. One of the posters who receives Social Security disability, asked about how his disability benefits would impact retirement. The correct and appropriate response from Social Security included information that Social Security automatically converts disability pay to retirement pay when a person reaches full retirement age. Some people are confused about getting disability and/or retirement benefits. A person can’t get both at the same time that would be double-dipping on benefits. Disability amounts are very similar to someone’s retirement amount when they reach the full retirement age.
There is constantly misinformation issued when it comes to Social Security benefits and its rules. Rather than relying on other comment posters to informational blogs those who are curious about Social Security issues and rules should seek information from Social Security directly so they don’t get conflicting or wrong information.
