Comprehensive Legal Assistance: The SSD Attorney Bucks County Deserves
The social security program is critical, offering many different kinds of benefits and programs for people in need. If you are disabled and struggling to work, you may be able to benefit from social security. This is why it’s important that you know as much as possible about the programs.
Do you need the Social Security Bucks County uses most? If you are in the area and want to receive benefits, you should consider your options. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a number of benefits, including disability benefits, spousal benefits, survivor benefits, children’s benefits, and supplemental benefits for people 65 or older, blind, or disabled
At Chermol & Fishman, LLC, we can guide you throughout the complicated process. We understand the ins-and-outs of these often confusing applications and appeals procedures.
Getting Help from SSD Lawyer Bucks County
- With the help of our attorneys, you will have a much better understanding of the social security benefits process as well as the guidance you need to successfully file an application or appeal. Let’s first start with the basics of social security.
- Social security is a program where public funds are used to offer a degree of economic security for qualified recipients. It was established by the government of the United States in 1935 to provide disability, old age, and survivors insurance. It also provides supplemental security income and income for elderly or disabled people.
- Employers, as well as employees, have to pay social security taxes to the government. The funds raised by these taxes are used to provide benefits to those who are eligible. So, if you are suffering from a disability, you should not feel guilty about applying for SSD. You can contact an experienced SSD Attorney Bucks County expert to learn if you may qualify.
Start Collecting Social Security Benefits When Needed
- Social security benefits vary depending upon the age you start receiving them. For instance, if a person begins receiving benefits at age 62, the monthly check amount will be less than if the benefits were received at age 65 or 70.
- The amount and time of base benefits are calculated by government actuaries, through information such as the lifespan of an average American. This is why it’s important that you consider your full retirement age, and other factors, before receiving benefits.
- The Full Retirement Age (FRA) is also known as ‘normal retirement age.’ It is the age at which a person becomes eligible for full social security benefits. Disability is also an important factor. A person with a disability should contact the Social Security Disability Lawyer Bucks County trusts most.
- The FRA used to be 65 years for everyone. Following the Social Security Amendments of 1983, however, the retirement age has increased from age 65 to 67.
Factors Affecting Social Security Benefits
How much you receive depends on:
- Your age: If you start getting benefits as early as 62, the benefits could be reduced for the rest of your life. If you wait and take delayed benefits, your monthly check amount is obviously going to be more. It is the same amount, just spread out accordingly.
- Your salary: The SSA takes into account the 35 years during which you earned your highest income. This is how the administration calculates your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings. They then use a formula to see how much you will be paid.
- Whether you worked for the government: If you were a government employee and received a pension, a different formula will be used to calculate your social security benefits.
Spousal Benefits
- Being married gives you an advantage as far as social security benefits are concerned. You can take spousal benefits, worth up to 50% of the other spouse’s benefit. For instance, if your benefit is worth $3,000, but your spouse’s benefit is only worth $1000, your spouse can switch to a spousal benefit worth $1,500—bringing in $500 more in income per month.
- However, this calculation may change if you take the benefits before the full retirement age. That means, if you take the spousal benefits before FRA, it won’t be equal to 50% of the amount. Also, note that you cannot apply for a spousal benefit until your spouse has applied for his or her benefit. An experienced disability Attorney Bucks County expert can guide you through this decision-making.
- Remember: you don’t need to take social security benefits just because you are retired. If you can live without these benefits until you reach 70, you will ensure that you receive the maximum payment for yourself. When it comes to spousal benefits, you can choose to wait and lock in the maximum spousal benefit as well.
- However, it is important to consider if you have enough income to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle before you delay benefits.
If you have any questions or concerns, consult the attorneys at Chermol & Fishman, LLC. We are dedicated to helping people receive their social security benefits without aggravation. We can also represent your case before the court, if necessary.
