Social Security For Dummies (eBook)

Jonathan Peterson is a former executive communications director at AARP and an award-winning journalist. His interest in Social Security began when he covered the political debate that led to major reforms in 1983. He is a former economics and politics correspondent for the Los Angeles Times.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Social Security 5

Chapter 1: What Social Security Is and Why You Need It 7

Chapter 2: A Breakdown of Benefits 19

Chapter 3: Deciding When to Start Collecting Retirement Benefits 39

Chapter 4: Protecting Your Number and Securing Your Card 57

Part 2: Taking the Plunge: Filing for Social Security 73

Chapter 5: Signing Up for Benefits 75

Chapter 6: Determining How Much You've Earned 89

Chapter 7: Navigating the System 99

Chapter 8: When You and Social Security Disagree: The Appeals Process 123

Part 3: Who Benefits and When 141

Chapter 9: Spousal Benefits: Watching Out for Each Other 143

Chapter 10: Family Benefits: Who Gets What 157

Chapter 11: When You Can't Work: Social Security Disability Benefits 173

Part 4: Social Security and Your Future 197

Chapter 12: Enrolling in Medicare 199

Chapter 13: Working in "Retirement" 221

Chapter 14: Shaping a Financial Future You Can Live With 241

Part 5: The Part of Tens 253

Chapter 15: Ten Myths about Social Security 255

Chapter 16: Ten Reasons Young People Should Care about Social Security 265

Chapter 17: Ten Choices Facing the Country about the Future of Social Security 273

Part 6: Appendixes 281

Appendix A: Glossary 283

Appendix B: Resources 291

Appendix C: Strengthening Social Security 297

Index 301