RETIREES: What you need to know about Social Security disability

Know your rights!

1. You can collect your union pension and Social Security disability benefits at the same time.

2. You can collect Social Security disability benefits until you reach your full retirement age.

3. You may be eligible for over 12 months of retroactive benefits right now, which can total well over $20,000.00!

4. You do not have to be in a wheelchair or bed bound to be eligible to collect disability benefits.

4 THINGS THAT EVERY RETIREE SHOULD KNOW

RIGHT NOW:

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AT THE SAME TIME

• If you have retired within the past five (5) years and are under 66 years old, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits in addition to your monthly pension.– For many union members this can amount to

additional benefits from $1500 to $2500 per month. – If your monthly pension is taxed, you will likely

receive your full pension and full disability benefits at the same time.

YOU CAN COLLECT YOUR UNION PENSION AND

YOU CAN COLLECT SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS UNTIL YOUR FULL RETIREMENT AGE

If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66.– 1955 = 66 and 2 months– 1956 = 66 and 4 months– 1960 or later = 67 years old

• What does this mean?: If you are a 55 year-old retiree, you can collect disability benefits until you reach your full retirement age of 66 and 4 months, and then it will automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits.

This is a 11 year advance on your retirement benefit!

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR 12 MONTHS OF RETROACTIVE SOCIAL

SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS

– If you retired over 12 months ago, you can apply for disability benefits now and if awarded, receive “retroactive” or back benefits for up to 12 months.

– If your disability rate is $2000 per month, you will receive $24,000 in back money alone PLUS monthly payments thereafter of $2000.

YOU CAN RECEIVE MEDICARE EARLIER THAN AGE 65

• If you are found disabled by the Social Security Administration, you will begin receiving Medicare benefits (Part A and Part B) twenty four (24) months after your first date of entitlement. – For example: If found disabled, a 58 year-old retiree can

begin receiving Medicare benefits by his or her 60th birthday.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR SSD BENEFITS?

• Common Myth: You have to be bed bound or in a wheelchair to be eligible for disability benefits - NOT TRUE!

• If you stopped working because of a physical or mental impairment or if you could no longer perform the duties of your job because of your physical or mental impairments, you may be eligible!

• Remember this is NOT an entitlement – you have paid into Social Security with every paycheck. These are your benefits, that you paid for.

YOU PAID INTO THE SYSTEM!

6.2% of every paycheck you receive goes into the Social Security system and

Of that 6.2%, a majority goes to the Social Security retirement fund a small amount is placed in the disability trust fund.

You bought a private (disability) insurance policy!

MOST COMMON DISABLING CONDITIONS:

• Back and Neck Problems, including herniated discs and arthritis• Bilateral Carpal Tunnel • Shoulder Pain• Knee Pain• Migraines• Chronic Fatigue• Depression/Anxiety• Heart Disease• Diabetes• Seizures• Lupus• MS

1: It does not cost anything to apply.

2: There is nothing to lose, nor will you affect your Union pension at all.

3: If you hire an attorney, the attorney receives a fee only if you win, which is a one-time only fee of 25% of your retroactive benefits. There is NO FEE from your monthly checks.

WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY:

• If you have not seen a doctor for your medical conditions, start today!– Make sure you tell your doctor all of your problems.

Documentation is key.

• Social Security relies upon your medical records to determine if you are disabled.

• Updated MRIs and x-rays are important to show the severity of your neck, back, shoulder and knee pain.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

• File your application (on your own or with our help)– Be prepared to discuss all of your problems, both

physical and mental, and list all of your treating doctors. The application takes only 30-45 minutes to complete and it is sent electronically to Social Security.

– Once filed, Social Security will contact your doctors and review your medical records. This step takes approximately 4 months. (70% are denied here, but those over 50 years old have a better chance of success!)

– If you are denied, we will file an appeal and take you before an Administrative Law Judge. You may wait 12 months or more for a hearing, so do not delay if you are disabled.

HOW TO APPLY