Posts under ‘Useful Sites’

The Cornell Legal Information Institute Social Security Library is a great top level clearing house for information about the Social Security system, regulations, rulings and court decisions.
However, this is a professional level resource and does not ease you into the Social Security system. But if you want to find a particular law, regulation, or [...]

Do you think you do not need private disability insurance?  See financial planner Paul Ferraresi’s take on this:
You have an eight times greater chance of becoming disabled than dying before age 65, yet, you purchase privately a life insurance policy but not disability insurance. Disability is known as “living death”. Income drops and you cannot [...]

Supplemental Security Income, SSI for short, pays up to the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).
For 2009, the Federal Benefit Rate is $674 for individuals and $1,011 for couples. For most people, this means the maximum SSI benefits you can get in 2009 is $637 per month.
In 2008, the FBR was $637 per month.
In 2007, the FBR [...]

If you are looking for a clear, simple, and understandable explanation of the ins and outs of the Social Security system, the go-to guide is the Online Social Security Handbook.
This online resource boils down the regulations into plain English and keeps the legalese to a minimum.
Here are some sample topics:

What are the categories of eligibility [...]

Are you looking for a specific Social Security form? Social Security has a page where you can find it.
You can search for a form or browse by category:

Prepare for Your Interview
Benefits Claims Supporting Forms
Medicare Prescription Drug Help Forms
Other Forms
Forms for Other Agencies
Forms You Can Complete and Submit Online

Listed below are the most frequently [...]

How much will you get from Social Security?
You can check your annual Social Security statment (mailed annually before your birthday) for a rough idea.
Or you can use Social Security’s on-line benefit calculator.