The Social Security Administration recently published its final Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibility for Appointment Representatives. Typically when Social Security changes rules related to representatives who assist disability claimants, the new rules create problems for the representatives and these new rules are no exception. The rule change that could create the most difficulty… Read more »
Blog
Most People Collect Social Security Benefits Before Full Retirement Age
There has been talk about raising the full retirement age to collect Social Security benefits as a way to stabilize the Social Security trust funds so that people will continue to receive their benefits uninterrupted in the future. The question remains if this is a good idea. We have previously reported that beginning in 2034,… Read more »
The Social Security Red Book
Social Security’s Red Book is a good resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Social Security disability process. The Red Book is a general reference tool designed to provide a working knowledge of provisions. The Red Book is primarily for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve persons with disabilities. Social… Read more »
A Look Into The Future Of Social Security
The financial services website The Motley Fool recently posted an article about what Social Security might look like in the year 2035. It seems like a long ways away, but 2035 is only 17 years away. The story cautions that this look into the future is based on the current situation where Social Security would… Read more »
Supreme Court Will Hear Disability Case
The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear Biestek v. Berryhill a Social Security disability case that involves the validity of a vocational expert. Every Social Security case involves a vocational expert when a disability hearing is before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). During a disability hearing the vocational expert will testify about job… Read more »
The Latest With Social Security
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 Future Of ALJs Is Unclear After Supreme Court Decision
By a vote of 7-2 the Supreme Court created a lot more questions than answers on the lawfulness of Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). The decision from the Court in Lucia v. SEC ruled that an ALJ at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was not lawfully appointed and had no authority to issue a decision…. Read more »
Benefits That Are Reduced Due To Windfall Provision
Many people are unaware of Social Security’s Windfall Elimination Provision, but this provision is a reason some people may see a reduction in retirement or disability benefits. The Windfall Elimination Provision can affect how Social Security calculates your retirement or disability benefit. If you work for an employer who doesn’t withhold Social Security taxes from… Read more »
Social Security To Pay Institutions That Report Beneficiaries Who Are Incarcerated
Social Security is sending notice to correctional facilities that if they report beneficiaries that are newly incarcerated, it will be worth their while. Social Security released a message informing of a new policy where correctional facilities can earn between $200 and $400 each time they report of a newly incarcerated individual who is receiving Social… Read more »
Less Social Security Disability Claims Being Filed
As is typical, when the economy is doing well less people file claims for Social Security disability benefits, and the reverse is true when the economy struggles. Social Security sees an increase in the number of people who file disability claims when the economy is struggling, but as the New York Times recently reported, the… Read more »
