King & Wood, P.A.

Be Careful of the Latest Social Security Scam

“Scammers impersonate Social Security Administration officials to steal personal information or money. They falsely claim your Social Security number has been suspended due to crimes or suspicious activity.”

Every time one type of scam gets squashed, another five pop up. This is especially true when it comes to scams trying to get Social Security accounts. According to a recent U.S. News & World Report article, “Don’t Fall for This Social Security Scam,” more than 330,000 people reported business impersonation scams in 2023. How can you avoid becoming a victim?

If you receive a phone call or an email from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration, feel free to be rude and hang up, even if the caller ID says Social Security or another government agency name. It’s very easy for thieves to change the display on caller ID.

This scam usually starts with a call from a person or a robocall. When you answer, you’ll hear the message in a frightening tone telling you your Social Security number has been suspended. The Social Security Administration doesn’t suspend numbers. Once you’re assigned a Social Security identification number, it’s yours for life.

The next point of contact will be with someone who will tell you the number was suspended because you committed a crime or the government has filed a lawsuit against you. A scared victim is instructed to call a particular number where they will be asked to provide personal information and told they need to pay a fine and make arrangements for payment.

Some victims are told their Social Security number has been suspended because of “suspicious activity,” and they need to speak with a representative to reinstate the number. They’ll need to tell the alleged agent their Social Security number to have this happen. They may also be asked for information like a bank account number, home address, or critical personal information.

If you receive a call about your Social Security number being suspended, rest assured this is false. Not only does the Social Security Administration never “suspend” a Social Security number, but they don’t call local police to arrest citizens for crimes either.

What should you do if you receive this kind of scam call? Experts say hang up. If you are concerned, look up the phone number of your local Social Security office and call them directly. You can also look at your phone and see if you can block the number the scammer used to contact you.

Finally, never, ever share your Social Security number with anyone who calls and asks for it. Hang up. No matter how threatening they sound or how friendly they seem. Hang up and congratulate yourself: you’ve just avoided becoming a victim.

Reference: U.S. News & World Report (Jan. 22, 2025) “Don’t Fall for the Suspended Social Security Number Scam”

How to Help a Grieving Spouse Deal with the Social Security Administration

“There are things you learn from books and things you discover from life.”

Even those who regularly work with elderly people are surprised by the obstacles presented during the course of major life events, according to a recent article from Financial Advisor, “Working With Grieving Spouses And The Social Security Administration.”

For one such professional, the sudden loss of her grandfather meant her grandmother was without her spouse of many decades and living on her own for the first time in her life.

The author’s mother moved the grandmother into her own home and began dealing with the father’s estate and the various government agencies, including Medicare and Social Security. The Social Security Administration turned out to be more than the mother or financial professional expected.

The grandmother needed to file for Social Security survivor benefits. She had been collecting spousal benefits since age 62, and she was now 89.

Despite multiple calls and in-person visits to the local SSA office, the grandmother’s situation wasn’t resolved. Various staff members provided a great deal of inaccurate information. They even told the grandmother the funeral home had never informed the SSA of the grandfather’s passing, which was not true. There were many contradictory instructions issued, none of which made sense.

Spouses need to know what to do when their spouse dies, and they become the surviving spouse. These are admittedly grim facts to face, but as estate planning attorneys know, it is always better to be prepared before these events occur.

The surviving spouse must go to their local Social Security Administration’s office to file for Widow’s, Widower’s, or Surviving Divorced Spouse’s Benefits.

Making an appointment in advance is better than just arriving and hoping to be seen.  Appointments are not technically required, but you may risk having a long wait or having to come back if the office is busy.

The Social Security Administration has an “Express Check-In” for mobile phones to use upon arrival at the office.

There are certain documents needed for this appointment. Bring everything—if you don’t have the original, a copy will do—so you don’t need a return visit because of a missing document.

Check the IRS website for their list of what information is needed when filling a claim for surviving spouse benefits and have all the answers to the questions prepared in writing.

Bring a blank check and a recent bank statement to provide your bank routing and account numbers, so monthly deposits can be made directly into the accounts.

Remember SSA representatives are not estate planning lawyers or financial advisors. They may be trying their best, but you may receive inaccurate or contradictory information. If you are not sure of the information, reach out to your estate planning attorney.

This is an extremely emotional time for the person who has just lost a loved one. If possible, have someone with you who can advocate for you if the process becomes overwhelming.

Reference: Financial Advisor (Nov. 6, 2023) “Working With Grieving Spouses And The Social Security Administration”

Social Security Scammers Embracing Artificial Intelligence

“AI-driven fraud is on the rise, and that includes Social Security scams. Thieves are using artificial intelligence to get personal information that can be used to access benefits.”

Seniors now need to be extra careful about Social Security scams since fraudsters have embraced AI (Artificial Intelligence) to manipulate people into revealing secure information, says a recent article from U.S. News & World Report, “AI and the Risks of Social Security Fraud.” The schemes are sophisticated and appear entirely legitimate, making them harder to discern from real messages from the Social Security Administration.

The Office of the Inspector General recently launched a task force to investigate the use of AI and deter AI-related Social Security scams. The OIG recognizes the risk of criminals using AI to make their schemes easier and faster to execute and the deceptions more credible and realistic.

You’ll want to know about AI risks if you receive Social Security benefits. Here are some guidelines to keep both your identity and finances safe.

Criminals commonly use robocalls or chatbots. The messages sound as if they come from legitimate government representatives and trick seniors into disclosing personal information or even making fraudulent payments using voice synthesis and natural language processing. This can also happen on a website, with an AI-generated video of the U.S. president or an official with the Social Security Administration announcing a new Social Security benefit and encouraging retirees to sign up by following a link on the video. The link takes the user to a fraudulent website, where they are asked to provide essential information, including their Social Security number and other details. Once the information is provided, thieves can re-route the monthly benefit to an unauthorized account.

Be wary if you receive an email from a source you don’t recognize. Don’t respond to text messages from people or organizations you don’t know. If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up. If someone claims to be calling from Social Security, hang up, call the local Social Security office yourself, and explain what happened.

If you haven’t already, set up a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. That’s where you’ll indicate the bank account to receive your benefit, and you can tell SSA not to change it unless you appear in person at the local SSA office.

The SSA doesn’t initiate contact with recipients by email, text, or phone. Anyone saying they are from the SSA using these methods is a scammer. Even if your phone displays the call is coming from the SSA, know that it’s very easy for criminals to manipulate caller ID to make the call appear to come from whomever and whatever number they want.

Thieves now use digital technology to trick seniors into revealing personal information. As technology changes, so do the means of stealing. Stay current on common scams and protect your retirement benefits and finances from AI-driven fraud.

Reference: U.S. News & World Report (Sep. 29, 2023) “AI and the Risks of Social Security Fraud”

Social Security Cost of Living (COLA) Is Likely to Increase in 2024

“Social Security COLAs are tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), a measure of price changes for a selection of goods and services, including food, energy, and medical care, that is reported monthly by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.”

Following two years when Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) soared to the highest levels in decades, beneficiaries should not be surprised by more modest increases in monthly payments in 2024, reports a recent article, “Social Security COLA 2024: How Much Will benefits Increase Next Year?” from AARP.

The inflation gauge used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to set the annual COLA rose at a 2.6% annual rate for July and 3.4% for August. These are the first two of three months the SSA uses to determine the final increase, which will be announced more formally in October.

The August uptick was a bit higher than anticipated, and September’s inflation numbers are expected to rise to similar levels. Analysts expect a 2024 COLA of about 3 percent.

This may seem like a letdown for recipients. Still, COLA is calculated to exactly offset the price increases faced by consumers, measured by the Consumer Price Index, since the prior COLA was determined.

A 3 percent COLA indicates inflation is slowing down or getting under control, which is especially important for seniors living on a fixed income. While a higher COLA sounds nice, it reflects rising prices, which can be far more challenging for retirees who count on Social Security benefits to pay their household bills.

All forms of benefits are affected by the COLA, including retirement, disability, family, and survivor benefits. The adjustment starts with the December Social Security benefits, which most folks receive in January 2024.

Benefits are calculated by the CPI-W, a subset of the main Consumer Price Index, which measures a broad range of retail prices. The SSA compares the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of each year to the figure for the same period the year before to arrive at the COLA for the year to come.

For example, the year-over-year changes in the CPI-W for the three months in 2022 were 9.1%, 8.7%, and 8.5%, respectively. Over the entire quarter, the index was 8.7% higher than average for the same period in 2021, resulting in the COLA used at the start of 2023.

If projections hold, and there’s no reason to think they won’t, the 2024 adjustment will align more with the relatively low inflation pre-pandemic period. When there’s no inflation, there’s no COLA. This happened in 2010, 2011 and 2016. The most significant adjustment ever? 14.3 percent in 1980.

Studies by the Center for Retirement Research show Social Security benefits generally keep up with inflation in the long term but can lag during short-term periods of volatility, depending on whether or not the price index is trending up or down when the COLA is set.

Beneficiaries in 2021 and 2022 lost buying power when COLAs were outpaced by surging inflation, peaking around 9 percent in mid-2022. This year, inflation was cooling somewhat when the 8.7 increase took effect and remained below the COLA level.

Another factor impacting the COLA’s value is Medicare costs. A rise in Medicare Part B premiums in 2024 would offset a portion of the COLA increase for Social Security recipients who have premiums deducted directly from their benefits, which is about 70 percent of Medicare enrollees.

Reference: AARP (Sep. 13, 2023) “Social Security COLA 2024: How Much Will benefits Increase Next Year?”

Will You Receive a Social Security Award Letter?

“There are different types of Social Security benefits available, and the type of letter you get will depend on your application.”

A Social Security award letter is an official document notifying recipients that their application for Social Security benefits has been approved, and payments will be sent, explains the article “What Is a Social Security Award Letter?” from U.S. News & World Report. There’s another type of document, a benefit verification letter, which includes more details about benefits and can be used as proof of income from Social Security.

The award letter confirms you’ll begin to receive benefits, lays out the next steps you need to take to receive benefits, and can be used if there’s any question about your eligibility. This document is essential, so keep it secure with other related paperwork.

The Social Security Administration issues these letters once their application for benefits has been approved. They show the information about your qualifications, prove you’re entitled to benefits, and help guide you in making the right choices to get benefits.

The first step is to apply for benefits, which you may do by filling out an online application on the Social Security website, calling a local office to speak with a representative, or going to the local Social Security office in person.

If you are not awarded benefits for some reason, you may be able to appeal the decision.

Once benefits are being sent, you may receive a benefits verification letter, also known as a benefits letter, a budget letter, a proof of income letter, or a proof of award letter.

You may need these documents to apply for housing, a loan, or other financial transactions.

There are different types of people who receive Social Security awards letters. Retirees who have worked and paid into the system are eligible once they meet the criteria, including enough work credits. Retirees may apply for benefits as early as 62 and as late as 70. If you sign up for benefits before your full retirement age, you might see reduced benefits for a temporary period.

Those who have worked and paid into the system and become disabled may receive disability benefits. These benefits are to help cover the loss of income and may help support the family of a disabled individual.

Surviving spouses and dependents of eligible workers may receive survivor benefits. These are designed to support family members, especially young children when a working person dies.

Typically benefits arrive within 30 to 90 days after the award letter is received.

Reference: U.S. News & World Report (Aug. 14, 2023) “What Is a Social Security Award Letter?”

When Should You Start Taking Social Security Benefits?

“Should you retire now and begin collecting your benefits, or hold off for a few more years?”

You don’t need to wait until age 67 to start collecting Social Security benefits, even though the Full Retirement Age is currently 67. You could, if needed, start collecting benefits as early as age 62, although there are some downsides to such an early start, according to a recent article from CNET, “When Is the Best Time to Begin Collecting Social Security Benefits?”

When you start collecting Social Security could impact your finances for the rest of your life. While the big Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in 2023 added more cash to every benefit, you might want to know if this is a reason to start collecting benefits this year.

There are pros and cons, and the best solution requires an honest and thorough look at your own financial situation, including other sources of retirement income.

First, how are benefits calculated? The Social Security Administration uses your average monthly earnings from up to 35 years to calculate your “primary insurance amount” or the benefit you’d receive at FRA (Full Retirement Age). This includes income up to the “taxable maximum” amount, which is $160,200 for 2023.

After determining the number of years, the years with the highest earnings are chosen, taking inflation into account. The sum of those earnings, divided by the total number of months worked during those years leads to a final resulting average, rounded down to the next lower dollar amount.

Your earnings are then indexed, so future benefits are reflected in the current standard of living to help offset inflation. This “average indexed monthly earnings” number is then used to calculate your monthly benefit.

If you are a spouse or an ex-spouse of someone who has contributed to Social Security through taxes, you might be able to claim part of their benefits, either receiving the spousal share of their benefit or a payout based on your own work history, whichever amount is greater.

The earliest you can start taking benefits is age 62, although you’ll receive a smaller amount than if you wait until FRA. Every situation is different, so there’s no single “best age” for everyone. The questions to ask are these: when do you want to retire, and when can you afford to retire?

When you can afford to retire depends on more than the savings you have accumulated. It also depends upon the lifestyle you want and where you’ll live during retirement. You’ll also want to consider your health and longevity. If you are living with a chronic illness, you may choose to retire earlier and collect earlier. It’s a very individual decision.

If Social Security is the sole or majority income source to pay expenses during retirement, waiting to retire and claiming benefits at a later date is likely your best choice. You’ll receive more money each month and have more time to save for retirement.

If you choose to retire early, benefits will be reduced for each month before FRA. If you were, for example, born in 1960 or later and retire at age 62 with a retirement benefit of $1,000, your monthly payment will be reduced to $700—a 30% reduction.

On the other hand, that’s $700 you would otherwise not receive if you weren’t taking Social Security benefits. Therefore, you might benefit from collecting smaller payments over a longer period of time.

Retirees need to monitor their spending and withdrawal rates, so they don’t outlive assets. Reducing spending and forgoing costly expenses like travel, especially when markets are down or inflation is high, can help extend retirement savings.

Reference: CNET (Feb. 25, 2023) “When Is the Best Time to Begin Collecting Social Security Benefits?”

What Is Social Security Increase in 2023?

“The government has announced a change that may help ease the pain for those who depend on Social Security, along with two others that will affect those who are still working.”

Three big changes are coming to Social Security in 2023, and they may factor in your financial plan for the coming year. A recent article from The Motley Fool, “3 Changes to Social Security in 2023 You Probably Didn’t Know,” says checks are going to look a lot different in 2023.

Record inflation levels have made everything from gas to groceries more expensive and a serious challenge for seniors dependent upon Social Security. However, change is coming soon.

The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2023 is going to be a whopping 8.7%. This adjustment happens every year, but this is one of the biggest increases in many years. In December, the Social Security Administration started sending notices to all beneficiaries listing their new monthly benefit. The new number can also be seen on the My Social Security website.

There’s also been a change to the amount you can earn and have to pay in Social Security payroll taxes. In 2022, only the first $147,000 was subject to Social Security payroll taxes. This will increase to $160,000 in 2023. If your goal is to achieve the maximum Social Security benefit upon retirement, you’ll need to both earn more and pay more taxes on at least this much.

This really only impacts high income earners. Most people who earn less than $147,000 are already paying Social Security taxes on their income. Only high-income earners will have to pay extra next year.

The third big change is to thresholds for the earnings test. The Social Security earnings test withholds money from Social Security benefits if the taxpayer is receiving benefits and earns too much before they’ve reached their full retirement age (FRA). Depending on the year of birth, this could include people between 66-67.

In 2023, you lose $1 from each check for every $2 earned over $19,560 if you’re under your FRA for the entire year. You also lose $1 for every $3 you earn over $51,960 in the year you reach FRA if you earn this much before your birthday.

These thresholds will increase in 2023, from $19,560 to $21,240 and from $51,960 to $56,520.

The money lost to the earnings test doesn’t evaporate. When the taxpayer reaches their FRA, benefits are recalculated, and future checks are larger to make up for any lost amounts.

Your buying power won’t change that much. However, the increases are hoped to relieve some of the financial pain of inflation. Budgets will still be tight for those who don’t have other sources of income. A part-time job might be needed to provide additional income. If they exist, retirement accounts will need to be tapped.

Reference: The Motley Fool (Dec. 3, 2022) “3 Changes to Social Security in 2023 You Probably Didn’t Know”’

What Is Best Way to Spend ABLE Account Money?

“ABLE accounts are a way for people with disabilities to save and spend money, while protecting their access to public benefits.”

An ABLE Account (Achieving a Better Life Experience Account) is a tax-advantaged savings account available to individuals diagnosed with disabilities. It lets them save without putting their public benefits at risk. Contributions to the ABLE account may be made by the account owner, family members, friends, trusts or any other person, as explained in the article “What Qualifies as Eligible Expenses for an ABLE Account?” from Investopedia. The money can be maintained in the account tax-free or spent on certain expenses, which are called “eligible expenses” or “Qualified Disability Expenses” (QDEs) and cover a broad range of goods and services. In some cases, figuring out if an expense meets the criteria is easy. However, in others, it is not so clear.

Typical QDEs include education, employment training, food, shelter, transportation, assistive technology, health, prevention and wellness, financial management of the ABLE account, including oversight and monitoring, legal fees, funeral and burial expenses. In all cases, keep detailed records of how ABLE funds are spent, just in case there is a dispute about whether an expense qualifies.

The law governing ABLE accounts does not spell out every single QDE. Sometimes the IRS or Social Security Administration will issue guidance to clarify whether an item is a QDE. The law says the term should be “broadly constructed to permit the inclusion of basic living expenses and should not be limited to items for which there is a medical necessity, or which provides no benefits to others in addition to the benefit to the eligible individual.”

Note that ABLE account funds may be used for a vacation, if it helps maintain or improve the health, independence, or quality of life for the disabled individual. The food category includes more than groceries: food delivery and restaurant meals are included.

A few tips:

• If in doubt, use non-ABLE money and save the ABLE funds for eligible purchases.
• Use public funds when possible. For instance, Medicaid may pay for transportation to a health care provider or educational programs.
• Keep extensive records, especially for items you are not sure about.

It is great for the disabled individual to have this much flexibility. However, it can also be confusing. An elder law estate planning attorney will be familiar with the guidelines and help ensure that the funds are used properly.

Reference: Investopedia (Feb. 25, 2022) “What Qualifies as Eligible Expenses for an ABLE Account?”

What Is the Social Security Increase for 2022?

“A large 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment is coming to Social Security beneficiaries in 2022. That means the average monthly retirement benefit will go up by $92 per month. Exactly how much more money you will see may depend on the amount of Medicare Part B premiums.”

The Social Security Administration has announced a record-high COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for 2022, and recipients are eager to calculate just what this means for their monthly Social Security benefit. How to estimate the increase is the focus of the article “Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will give average retirees $92 more a month in 2022. How to estimate how much you’ll get” from CNBC.

The COLA for 2022 for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be 5.9%. More than 64 million Americans will see their benefits increase in January, as will about 8 million recipients of SSI benefits.

The annual adjustment is based on inflation. While this is the highest increase since 1982, consumer prices have gone up as well, so the extra may not go very far. Experts say the average increase will be about $92—from $1,565 in 2021 to $1,657 in 2022. However, every beneficiary will see a different size of increase, mainly due to Medicare Part B premiums.

Payments for Medicare Part B are usually deducted directly from monthly benefits. Not everyone has Medicare Part B coverage, especially if they are still covered under an employer health plan or if they haven’t yet reached Medicare eligibility, age 65 for many.

The standard Medicare Part B premium is projected to be up by ten dollars from $148.50 to $158.60 per month, but rates have not been officially announced.

For those who are not covered by Medicare Part B, multiply the monthly benefit by 1.059 to approximate benefits for next year.

If you are covered by Medicare Part B, subtract $10 from the same calculation to get close to what your monthly payment for 2022 might be.

But—there’s always a “but”—people with incomes above certain levels will pay more for Medicare Part B. This is because of the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. A new table for Medicare Part B premiums for 2022 has not yet been released.

Social Security and SSI beneficiaries will be notified by mail in December, and the information will also be available on the My Social Security website.

New benefits for 2022 won’t be calculated for those covered by Medicare until after premiums for next year are announced. Those changes will be available, once they’ve been completed at Medicare.gov.

Reference: CNBC (Oct. 22, 2021) “Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will give average retirees $92 more a month in 2022. How to estimate how much you’ll get”

What Happens to Social Security Payments after a Person Dies?

“The Social Security Administration should be notified as soon as possible after a beneficiary dies. Depending on your relationship to the deceased, you may be entitled to benefits for survivors.”

How does the federal government know to stop sending Social Security payments when a recipient has died? What if the surviving spouse or a dependent doesn’t know they are entitled to benefits after a loved one has died?

Tackling this issue when an older person or spouse has died can be complicated, but a helpful article from CNBC titled “Here’s what happens to Social Security payments when you die” provides important answers.

The Social Security Administration needs to be notified of the death of a benefit recipient as soon as possible. In some cases, funeral homes have a notification process, and they report the death. The person who has been named as the deceased’s executor can also call Social Security.

Whoever calls or contacts the Social Security Administration will need to know the decedent’s Social Security number.

The last month a person is eligible for Social Security benefits is the month prior to their death. Any benefit paid after the month of their death must be refunded. That’s because each payment received represents the previous month’s benefits. If a person dies in August—even if they die on August 31—July is the last month they were eligible for benefits.

If benefits are made by direct deposit, the bank needs to be notified, so it can return the benefit. Using those funds after a recipient has died is a federal crime, even if the death is not reported. If the SSA receives notice of this occurring, the agency may initiate a criminal investigation. The SSA and other government agencies coordinate their records to identify any unreported deaths.

Anyone already receiving money based on the deceased’s record will automatically convert to survivor benefits, once the SSA receives notice of the death. However, in other cases, the surviving spouse should contact SSA to apply for survivors’ benefits. This must be done by appointment in person at a local office, since it cannot be done online.

If the surviving spouse has reached full retirement age, they can get their deceased spouse’s full benefit. They can apply for reduced benefits as early as age 60 or age 50, if they are disabled. If the survivor qualifies for Social Security on their own earnings record, they can switch to their own benefit anytime between ages 62 and 70, if the benefit amount would be greater.

There is usually a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 given to a surviving spouse or qualified child.

Reference: CNBC (Aug. 16, 2021) “Here’s what happens to Social Security payments when you die”