Table of Contents
Your Social Security, Medicare & Government Pension Companion
1. Social Security: The Basics
History of Social Security
Social Security Defined
Eligibility for Benefits
Earning Work Credits
Determining Your Benefit Amount
Your Social Security Earnings Record
Reading Your Social Security Statement
Correcting Your Record
U.S. Citizens’ Rights to Receive Benefits While Living Abroad
Receiving Benefits as a Noncitizen
2. Social Security Retirement Benefits
Work Credits Required
Timing Your Retirement
The Amount of Your Retirement Check
Working After Claiming Early Retirement Benefits
3. Social Security Disability Benefits
Who Is Eligible
What Is a Disability
Amount of Disability Benefit Payments
Collecting Additional Benefits
Eligibility Review
Returning to Work
4. Social Security Dependents Benefits
Who Is Eligible
Calculating Dependents Benefits
Eligibility for More Than One Benefit
Working While Receiving Benefits
Government Pension Offset
5. Social Security Survivors Benefits
Work Credits Required for Eligibility
Who Is Eligible
Amount of Survivors Benefits
Eligibility for More Than One Benefit
Working While Receiving Benefits
Government Pension Offset
6. Supplemental Security Income
Who Is Eligible
Benefit Amounts
Reductions to Benefits
7. Applying for Benefits
Retirement, Dependents, and Survivors Benefits
Disability Benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Finding Out What Happens to Your Claim
8. Appealing a Social Security Decision
Reconsideration of Decision
Administrative Hearing
Appeal to the National Appeals Council
Lawsuit in Federal Court
Lawyers and Other Assistance
9. Federal Civil Service Retirement Benefits
Two Retirement Systems: CSRS and FERS
Retirement Benefits
Disability Benefits to Federal Workers
Payments to Surviving Family Members
Applying for CSRS or FERS Benefits
10. Veterans Benefits
Types of Military Service Required
Compensation for Service-Connected Disability
Pension Benefits for Financially Needy Disabled Veterans
Survivors Benefits
Medical Treatment
Getting Information and Applying for Benefits
11. Medicare
The Medicare Maze
Medicare: The Basics
Part A Hospital Insurance
How Much Medicare Part A Pays
Part B Medical Insurance
How Much Medicare Part B Pays
Part D Prescription Drug Coverage
12. Medicare Procedures: Enrollment, Claims,
and Appeals
Enrolling in Part A Hospital Insurance
Enrolling in Part B Medical Insurance
Medicare’s Payment of Your Medical Bills
Paying Your Share of the Bill
How to Read a Medicare Summary Notice
Appealing the Denial of a Claim
Medicare Part D: Enrollment, Exceptions, and Appeals
Switching Part D Plans
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP)
13. Medigap Insurance
Gaps in Medicare
Standard Medigap Benefit Plans
Terms and Conditions of Medigap Policies
Finding the Best Medicare Supplement
14. Medicare Managed Care Plans
The Structure of Managed Care
Choosing a Medicare Managed Care Plan
Comparing Medigap and Managed Care Plans
Your Rights When Joining, Leaving, or Losing Managed Care Coverage
15. Medicaid and State Supplements to Medicare
Medicaid Defined
Who Is Eligible
Medical Costs Covered by Medicaid
Requirements for Coverage
Cost of Medicaid Coverage
Other State Assistance
Applying for Medicaid, QMB, SLMB, or QI
What to Do If You Are Denied Coverage
Index
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