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Social Security benefits are calculated using a formula that takes into account the average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) of the worker, the number of years of covered earnings, and the age at which the worker begins receiving benefits. First, the Social Security Administration (SSA) indexes a worker’s past earnings to account for inflation. Then, the… Read more »

We realize it may be a stretch for ordinary people to want to keep up with the comings and goings of the Social Security Administration, but sometimes circumstances permit where someone does want to follow the latest news regarding the agency due to a possible retirement or disability interest. This blog is an ongoing piecemeal… Read more »

The Social Security Advisory Board recently issued a lengthy report on Social Security’s relationship with state operated Disability Determination Services, agencies that are in charge of making medical decisions on Social Security disability claims at lower levels of the process. The report shows that DDS is struggling to keep up with the backlog of claims,… Read more »

We realize it may be a stretch for ordinary people to want to keep up with the comings and goings of the Social Security Administration, but sometimes circumstances permit where someone does want to follow the latest news regarding the agency due to a possible retirement or disability interest. This blog is an ongoing piecemeal… Read more »

Once an application for Social Security disability benefits is filed a claimant can expect to received correspondence from Social Security regarding the claim. This paperwork is important to keep the claim on track. Failing to respond to Social Security’s request for action can result in denied claim. Below we will explain the type of paperwork… Read more »

Most people think of retirement benefits when Social Security is discussed, but there are other types of Social Security benefits for people who are unable to work due to disability, survivor’s benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Below we look at the different types of benefits that are available through the Social Security Administration…. Read more »

Social Security disability is based on a claimant’s ability to work. If a claimant has significant physical or mental health impairments it may prevent them from working, but at other times a claimant may find they are able to work, but not at a fulltime level and could still be eligible for disability benefits. When… Read more »

In 1983 Congress passed, and then President Ronald Reagan signed a law that increased the full retirement age for Social Security benefits gradually over time from 65 to 67 by the end of 2022. Now that we are past 2022 and the retirement age is now set at 67. A recent article from the People’s… Read more »

A recent study conducted by BMJ, a medical research group, shows some evidence that new mental health disorders diagnosed in Long COVID-19 patients may not be a coincidence. During the study, BMJ analyzed records of more than 150,000 COVID-19 patients in the Veterans Health Administration, who prior to having COVID-19 reported no mental health diagnosis…. Read more »

The SSI program provides monthly benefits to individuals who are retired or disabled who meet strict financial guidelines. The SSI program was meant for individuals with limited income and assets, but too many individuals were being negatively impacted by SSI’s limits so the agency recently adjusted its income and asset rules. Below is a message… Read more »