Contents

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Epigraph

1 ♦ Get Real Security from Social Security Retirement Benefits

2 ♦ Social Security Survivor Benefits: A Security Blanket to Protect the Family

3 ♦ Social Security Disability Benefits: A Treasure That Really Has Been Buried!

4 ♦ Getting Uncle Sam to Play Fair with Medicare

5 ♦ The Appeal of Medicare Appeals

6 ♦ Retirement Plans: An Alphabet Soup That Spells Big Benefits

7 ♦ COBRA: Insurance Protection That Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking

8 ♦ Tax Treats for Older Americans

9 ♦ Home Sweet Home: Treasures Right Under Your Roof

10 ♦ Supplemental Security Income: A Little Extra to Make Ends Meet

11 ♦ Invaluable Aid from Medicaid

12 ♦ Civil Service: It’s Time for Uncle Sam to Give Something Back

13 ♦ Railroad Retirement: Benefits to Keep Your Retirement on Track

14 ♦ Veterans’ Benefits: Uncle Sam’s Reward for Military Service

Appendices

1. Calculating Retirement Benefits

2. Special Minimum Benefit

3. Calculating Spouse Retirement Benefit

4. Calculating the Maximum Family Benefit

5. Calculating Survivor Benefits

6. Checklist of Important Documents and Information for Application

7. The Grids

8. Calculating Disability Benefits

9. Social Security Disability Questionnaire

10. Form for Request for Reconsideration

11. Form for Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge

12. Form for Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order

13. Tips for Using HCFA 2649

14. Form for Request for Review of Part B Medicare Claim

15. Form for Appointment of Representative

16. Health Insurance Claims Activity Log

17. List of Medicare Carriers

18. Medicare Peer Review Organizations (PROs)

19. Health-Care Financing Administration Regional Offices

20. Samples of Form for Tax on Lump-Sum Distributions

21. The Credit for Elderly or Disabled

22. Earned Income Credit Table

23. Application for Hospital Insurance

Notes

Index

Also by Armond D. Budish

Copyright