Estate and Elder Law

Recent Posts

Federal Appeals Court Rules Retirees Cannot Dodge Medicare Eligibility
Posted on 23 Feb 2012 by Anne Rabuck

By Anne Rabuck A federal appeals court has ruled [ enhanced version available to lexis.com subscribers ] that those over age 65 and eligible for Social Security cannot escape their automatic entitlement to Medicare Part A benefits unless they repay... Read More

New Law Protects Garnishment of Automatic Social Security Funds
Posted on 18 May 2011 by karplaw

In a perfect world, Social Security funds in your bank account should be immune to garnishment for any unpaid debts. Federal law says so. But in the real world, it happens. A lot. The National Consumer Law Center estimates that about one million... Read More

New Law Protects Garnishment of Automatic Social Security Funds
Posted on 18 May 2011 by karplaw

In a perfect world, Social Security funds in your bank account should be immune to garnishment for any unpaid debts. Federal law says so. But in the real world, it happens. A lot. The National Consumer Law Center estimates that about one million... Read More

Thirty-Three Social Security Planning Tips
Posted on 21 Aug 2012 by Marc J. Soss

Social security can be a confusing government benefit. The following is a brief list of tips to make it more beneficial to you. 1. If you are already collecting your retirement benefit and are at or over full retirement age, you can tell Social Security... Read More

A Recent Study on How to Outsmart Social Security
Posted on 19 Mar 2012 by Marc J. Soss

A savvy Sarasota or Bradenton Florida retiree can maximize their Social Security benefits by choosing to begin payments at just the right time. Eligible Sarasota and Bradenton residents who turn 62 this year must wait until age 66 to begin receiving full... Read More

Thirty-Three Social Security Planning Tips
Posted on 21 Aug 2012 by Marc J. Soss

Social security can be a confusing government benefit. The following is a brief list of tips to make it more beneficial to you. 1. If you are already collecting your retirement benefit and are at or over full retirement age, you can tell Social... Read More

Your Social Security Is Not Safe from Unpaid Student Loan Debts
Posted on 12 Nov 2012 by Marc J. Soss

Thousands of retirees are learning today that defaulting on student-debt can threaten something that used to be untouchable: their Social Security benefits . The federal government is withholding money from a rapidly growing number of Social Security... Read More

2011 ELDER LAW NUMBERS
Posted on 14 Jan 2011 by Sandra L. Smith

There are several figures of interest to seniors and their families for 2011. They include long-term care spousal standards, long-term care premium deductibility limits, Social Security benefit changes, and Medicare premiums. The Center for Medicare... Read More

Oast & Hook: Taxation of Social Security Benefits
Posted on 8 May 2012 by Andrew H. Hook, CELA, CFP®

By Andrew Hook As a firm specializing in assisting retirees and their families, Oast & Hook is frequently asked by its clients how their Social Security benefits are taxed. That depends on their other income. In the worst case scenario, 85% of... Read More

Social Security Administration Announces 2012 COLA
Posted on 20 Oct 2011 by karplaw

For retirees and workers, there's good news, not-so-good news, and in-between news. Let's start with on a positive note: The Social Security Administration today announced the first cost of living increase in the past three years. If you're... Read More

State Net Capitol Journal: Helping Workers Help Themselves
Posted on 18 Jun 2012 by State Net

When Dr. Dena Davidson graduated from the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry in 1995, her expectations were pretty reasonable. "I knew being an optometrist was not going to make me rich," she says. "But I felt I would... Read More

Hook Law Center: Making the Most of Your Social Security Benefits
Posted on 4 Sep 2012 by Hook Law Center

It is well known that timing is an important consideration when applying for Social Security retirement benefits. For example, you may begin receiving retirement benefits as early as age 62, but if you wait until you have reached your full retirement... Read More

Social Security Administration Announces 2012 COLA
Posted on 20 Oct 2011 by karplaw

For retirees and workers, there's good news, not-so-good news, and in-between news. Let's start with on a positive note: The Social Security Administration today announced the first cost of living increase in the past three years. If you're... Read More

Third Circuit aligns itself with Ninth Circuit in defining posthumously conceived twins as “children” for purposes of surviving child's Social Security benefits: Capato v. Comm'r (1-4-11)
Posted on 10 Jan 2011 by Travis Burchart

The Third Circuit recently aligned itself with the Ninth Circuit in deciding that for the purposes of surviving child's insurance benefits under 42 USCS § 402(d) of the Social Security Act, a posthumously conceived child (i.e. donor eggs, artificial... Read More

In a Six-Year Blink of the Eye, Social Security Might Be Drained
Posted on 23 Aug 2011 by LexisNexis Estate and Elder Law Community Staff

According to a recent AP report , the Social Security disability fund is on a 6-year brink of destruction. Estimates project that the disability trust will run out of money by 2017, with the retirement fund drying up about two decades later. The doomsday... Read More