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Social Security requires beneficiary to be alive for entire month, or payment must be returned
Published on Monday, Nov 19, 2007
Q:My father passed away Oct. 29. The October Social Security check was deposited into his checking account on Nov. 3. I am the administrator of the estate, and my name is also on the bank account. How does Social Security handle checks paid after someone dies? Do I have to return the check to Social Security and have it reissued to the estate, or can I just use the money to pay expenses? — F.H., Ravenna
A:A person must live the entire month to be entitled to that month's payment. It doesn't matter whether he or she dies on the first or the last day of the month. Because your father died on Oct. 29, the check for that month is not payable. This provision wasn't part of the original Social Security Act, but it was added in 1939. If you would like more information, go online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov or call 800-772-1213.
Q:Can a person call 800-MEDICARE to get help enrolling in a prescription drug plan? I find it very difficult to understand, and I don't feel comfortable choosing the best plan for me. I am currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan in Akron. — M.T., Hudson
A:Yes, people can call Medicare for explanations and assistance enrolling into a prescription plan. But people covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan must be especially careful when choosing a Part D prescription drug plan because Medicare Advantage plans normally offer their customers specific Part D options.
If you want to stay with your current Advantage Plan and want to add the prescription coverage, you should check with the plan administrator for more information before making any decisions about Part D enrollment.
Q:If a widow chooses to receive Social Security benefits at the age of 60 from her deceased husband's account, how much can she earn, and how much will she lose? Also, can she elect to retire at her full retirement age and receive a larger amount either from her own work record or from her deceased husband? — B.F., Akron
A:The 2007 earnings limit for someone younger than full retirement age is $12,960 (the 2008 amount is $13,560). At age 60, a surviving spouse can receive 71.5 percent from the deceased person's record.
Your own retirement can begin as early as age 62, but the amount would be reduced. Waiting until full retirement age results in a ''full'' benefit. Some people eligible on more than one record might find an advantage in starting one benefit early and delaying the other benefit until reaching full retirement age.
For more information about this option, call 800-772-1213 or visit our Web site at http://www.socialsecurity.gov.
Send questions to Joe Paukovich, Social Security Administration, Second Floor, Federal Building, 2 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44308. Fax: 330-375-5616 or e-mail: Joseph.Paukovich@ssa.gov.
Q:My father passed away Oct. 29. The October Social Security check was deposited into his checking account on Nov. 3. I am the administrator of the estate, and my name is also on the bank account. How does Social Security handle checks paid after someone dies? Do I have to return the check to Social Security and have it reissued to the estate, or can I just use the money to pay expenses? — F.H., Ravenna
Get the full article here.
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