http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement The Bare Essentials of Social Security Retirement Explained in Plain English Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:48:36 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Social Security has announced the cost of living increase for 2007. This increase will be a 3.3% raise reflected in your January check. The Medicare Part B premium is also going up; this premium will have a $5 increase from $88.50 to $93.50, also effective in January 2007. http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/social-security-cost-of-living-increase/ You may recall the Bush Administration suffered a defeat in their attempt to privatize Social Security. After this initiative failed due to public outcry, the focus of Bush’s presidency shifted back to the war in Iraq. This defeat does not mean the Republican efforts to outsource Social Security are finished, ... http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/social-security-privatization-is-not-dead/ If you find yourself owing money to Uncle Sam every year in April, voluntary tax withholding from your Social Security benefits could be the answer for you. If you receive Social Security Retirement or Disability benefits you can designate a percentage of your benefit amount to be paid to the ... http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/voluntary-tax-withholding/ You might think because you have “Power of Attorney” for your relative or loved one you will be able to conduct business for them with the Social Security Administration. The agency does not recognize “Power of Attorney” and this document will get you no information from Social Security about your ... http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/social-security-and-power-of-attorney/ Millions of people request replacement Social Security cards every year. Social Security has recently changed the rules for accepting applications for these cards. Here is what you need to know to get your Social Security card replaced. In order to replace your Social Security card you will need to fill out ... http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/replacing-your-social-security-card/ If you plan on starting your Social Security Retirement benefits at age 62, there are several things you need to know. To start your benefits you will need to schedule an appointment or apply online; the earliest you can call to schedule the appointment is three months prior to ... http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/social-security-retirement-at-age-62/ As of today Social Security has completed mailing form 1099 to all Disability and Retirement beneficiaries. The amounts on this 1099 have been reported to IRS for tax purposes. Remember, Social Security benefits (with the exception of SSI) are not exempt from Federal income tax. Whether or ... http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/social-security-1099-forms/ Social Security benefits are not exempt from Federal income tax. This is true for both Social Security retirement and disability benefits. SSI benefits however, are not taxable. Whether or not you have to pay income taxes on these benefits depends on your total income for the year. ... http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/are-social-security-benefits-taxable/ In order to qualify for Retirement benefits under Social Security you need to work and pay Social Security taxes for a minimum of ten years. The ten year requirement does not mean that the ten years of work has to be continuous; Social Security breaks your work record up into ... http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/social-security-retirement-benefits/ A common misconception about Social Security is that: "The money I pay into Social Security is my retirement or disability, and when I retire that pile of money is there waiting for me." In fact, the taxes you pay on your wages fund the Social Security Trust Fund, which actively ... http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com/retirement/how-social-security-works-the-trust-fund/