5 Social Security Changes Coming in 2012

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Ms. Brandon
If the "maximum possible benefit" for 2012 is $2,513, why am I receiving $2,704? I started to "collect" in 2009 at age 66 and 10 months while still employed full time time. I retired last August. And because I worked part of 2011, I will receive another monthly increase later this year. So wassup with the maximum benefit?

Francis J. Clifford of FL 7:46AM January 24, 2012

Ms Brandon,
In my work as a government employee in the public health sector, I inadvertently discovered that many women who are in their 60's-80's (and older) collect social security based on their husband's earnings rather than their own. This is because tax returns continue to follow the arcane procedure of listing the husband (or head of household) as the first earner. Tax returns are filed under the husband's name and his social security number. If women earned more money than their husbands and want to pursue that matter wtih the Social Security Administration they can only do so IF they retained tax returns to support their claim. Most people do not know this and most discard tax returns after 7-10 years. The IRS only keeps records for seven years. IRS and the SSA exchange information. In this very pre-digital age manner. So, many women collect only about 50% of their potential social security entitlement.
I have some information about this that I would be glad to share with you. The information is from researach I did two years ago both on the internet and by phone to the SSA and IRS.
Also, a matter that in my opinion influences the quality of work the SSA does are the facts that 1) in approximately 2008-9 (unsure of the date) many SSA employees retired. The newer employees were not properly trained. 2) the SSA routinely sends letters stating people have been overpaid by that agency and the letters constitute demand for immediate payment - sometimes in thousand of dollars. These can be appealed or waivers can be applied for. The third option is to have matters heard by administrative law judges (ALJ's). Most people pay without knowingthey have recourse. 3) SSA has one phone number for the country. The agents who answer the phones only have access to the last two communications between the SSA and the caller. So, the information SSA provides is not only limited but most people do not know that nor do they know they have recourse.
If this information, although my opinions only, has merit for your artilces, I would like to speak with you - or email. I will also share with you the way congressional representatives field requests from consituents for help with the SSA issues.
I wrote a column for a local newspaper (Warner Center News, 1990-2005, unpaid contributor), I've been published, freelance, in the medical press. I deal with the social security administration as an informal part of my work when asked to do so.

Sarah Minden of CA 12:53AM January 24, 2012