SOCIAL SECURITY RESOURCES
Applying for Social Security benefits can be a complex process for many people, especially when they’re trying to plan which benefits to apply for and when.
In this page you will find useful links to Social Security forms, letters and important updates. You will be able to watch our education videos from the Social Benefit Advisors YouTube channels and download the newest version of the most popular forms used for Social Security.
DOWNLOADABLE TOOLS
VISITOR LOG
Use this this when visiting a local Social Security office to keep track of what you discuss.
When an appointment is made, review the following: verify the primary phone number and list an alternate number. Also, double-check the spelling of your address for any correspondence that will be mailed.
WAGE REPORTING LOG
It is critical to report wages on a monthly basis to the Social Security Administration while on SSDI.
Failure to do so may result in suspension, termination and overpayment of benefits. Use this wage reporting log to keep track of when you turn in your paystubs. If mailing, we insist on using tracking.
SOCIAL SECURITY FORMS
The links below will allow you to download some of the Social Security forms that are needed when dealing with Social Security benefits.
MOST POPULAR SOCIAL SECURITY LINKS
All of the forms issued by Social Security and available on our website are FREE. There are hundreds of forms and we are not make all of them available to your on our site. If need help finding a for or filling out the form, please call us at (803) 526-7951 or visit our contact us page to us a message.
EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
Below are the most watch videos from our YouTube channel.
How to complete form SSA-44 for the Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)
In this video we go over the form, the criteria, terms, definitions and evidence needed for consideration to have your Medicare premium surcharge deducted or removed.
Social Security Administration 2023 Cost Of Living Adjustment
In today’s video we discuss the 2023 COLA across all SSA programs from Retirement/Survivors benefits, to taxes, work restrictions, disability limitations and SSI.
Social Security Working While Disabled
In this video we discuss the Trial Work Period (TWP) and the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
USEFUL LINKS
Additional resources that can help you clear up questions and learn more about Social Security.
POPULAR SOCIAL SECURITY LINKS
These are the links we share the most with our clients. We will keep this list updated to follow the most important topics affecting Social Security recipients.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FAQs
While every claim is different, here are some common questions about Social Security benefits and claim analysis:
Social Security’s main function is to keep seniors, the disabled and widows out of poverty. It’s meant to be a piece of your income during those periods, but shouldn’t be a significant percentage.
The easiest way to think of Social Security is they are just an insurance company, like your car insurance. The way you pay your premiums is through your tax contributions from your work. If you are a W-2 employee you pay half the tax burden, and your employer pays the other half. If you are self-employed or a 1099 worker the total tax burden is on the worker to pay.
When you file your taxes with the IRS, they will eventually send your wage information to the Social Security. It’s for this reason that, depending on when you were born, Social Security would send you an earnings statement. The purpose of the statement is your you to verify the wages were recorded correctly so that if/when the time came to utilize Social Security you know you are being paid correctly
Believe it or not, there is more than just one Social Security calculator available online! Different companies may offer these free tools, but be careful. They may not have the depth of knowledge and expertise that a representative from Social Benefit Advisors does.
We use the calculators provided by the Social Security Administration itself to help determine our estimates for your benefits. This ensures that we’re using the most accurate tools. However, if you feel like you aren’t getting enough, one of our representatives will be happy to review your claim, and help you appeal if necessary.
To keep it simplified, your retirement benefits are calculated using your highest 35 years of work. If you have worked more than that, then anything outside of your highest 35 years will not be counted in the computation of your benefits.
For disability purposes, it works in a similar way but depending on your age, how many years of Social Security contributions you have, as well as how much you’ve contributed would determine your benefit. As an example if you are a much younger person, say in your late 20’s or early 30’s there basically a curve on your record to account for missed wages because of your disability.
If you are receiving survivors benefits from someone else’s record like a spouse, there are a number of things that can come into play but the benefit is based on the deceased workers wage history, their age, if they filed for benefits before they passed, what type of benefit they filed for and maybe how old they were at that time, as well as your age and a few other details. Survivors benefits are arguably one of the most complex benefits Social Security has.
Getting started is easy! Call us (803) 526-7951 or schedule an appointment online to request additional information and speak directly with one of our professionals. Because Social Security is a federal agency we can provide assistance anywhere in the country, so it doesn’t matter where you are located.
We often get asked “is there anything I haven’t asked?”. Basically, what clients are trying to ask with this is “have I told you everything you need to know about myself, to understand what I am eligible for?” Yes, that’s exactly what we try to do. During the initial free consultation our representative will ask you all the key questions they need to provide you with the correct assessment of benefits.
We will contact Social Security and complete our comprehensive processing questionnaire with the agency, from there we will compare the information gathered and provide you with our recommendations based on your scenario
Retirement
For retirement benefits that can vary depending on your financial situation, your retirement plan and mainly if you are still working. If let’s say you met all the criteria needed to be able to file, you could do everything about a month before you’d like to start getting a payment. Social Security Administration – Retirement Benefits
Survivors
Survivors benefits are more complexed and you may have more options if you qualify for these benefits. In some cases you could be widowed more than once, which would give you even more options. There are thousands of different scenarios and everyone’s can be different. It’s very important you understand the options you have before initiating an application. Social Security Administration – Survivors
Disability
If you have no other disability policies that prevent you from doing so, I would recommend filing for disability as soon as you have a diagnosis for a condition that is expected to be greater than 12 months and keep you from working. If you do have another disability insurance, whether short-term or long-term, you should consult with them in regards to Social Security Disability and if it could affect anything. Social Security Administration – Disability
How to perform a proper Social Security Benefits Analysis?
One of the most frequent questions we get is: “What is a Social Security benefits analysis?”
Well, Social Security is a broad program designed to help individuals or families in a number of different situations. Determining what kinds of benefits you’re eligible for and when to take them is essential. We can help. Call us today to set up an appointment to review your situation, or to submit a claim analysis, so that we can help you and your family maximize your social security benefits.
FAMILY BENEFITS PLANNING
For married couples and families, Social Security planning is different. There is a Family Maximum Social Security benefit, which is the most that can be paid on a worker’s earnings record. For example, if the family’s primary wage earner begins taking Social Security retirement benefits, then their spouse or a family member with a disability may also qualify for benefits called “Social Security auxiliary benefits.” Family Benefits Planning
SOCIAL BENEFIT ANALYSIS
If you’re single and thinking about retirement, collecting the maximum benefits can come down to the right timing. Social Security is often a large chunk of the income retirees collect. It’s natural to want to ensure that you’re getting the highest possible payout. That’s why knowing when to start collecting is so important, so that you can coordinate Social Security with other types of retirement options. When done right, you may have thousands more each year in income. Individual Benefits Analysis
PREVIOUS CLAIM ANALYSIS
Sometimes, the SSA will deny a claim for benefits, even if you think you’re entitled to them. Perhaps you didn’t fill out the right form, or maybe you did not send it on time. The team at Social Benefits Advisors can review past claims and re-submit them on your behalf. We’ll look at how your situation has changed, or if you’ve had any life changes that would entitle you to new benefits. Start a Claim Analysis