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Social Security
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than those used to compute your benefit orig- inally, the Social Security Administration will substitute the new year of earnings. The higher your earnings, the more your refigured benefit might be. If your earnings are high enough for the Social Security Administration to deduct excess earnings from your benefits, your benefits will be recomputed when you reach retirement age. This effectively increases your benefit because the months when benefits were reduced or withheld due to excess earnings are left out.
Your monthly benefit may seem to decrease, however, if health care costs rise faster
than the COLA. A rise in Medicare premiums can offset any COLA increase. A special rule called “Hold Harmless” protects your month- ly benefit from being reduced. To learn more, visit https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/ lnx/0601001004.
Q: How do I apply for retirement benefits?
A: You can apply online or make an appointment with a Social Security representative at a local office. Generally, it is easier and faster to apply for benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov. The process takes as little as 15 minutes and, in most cases, you’re finished once you’ve submitted your electronic application. Usually, there are no forms to sign or documents to mail.
The information for this “Law You Can Use” column was provided by the Social Security Administration. It was prepared by the Ohio State Bar Association. Articles appearing in this column are intended to provide broad, general information about the law. Before applying this information to a specific legal problem, readers are urged to seek advice from an attorney.
Our 67th Season!
West Side Story
July 7 -10
The Odd Couple
July 14 - 17
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
July 21 - 24
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Performances at McCormick School 325 Ohio St. Huron, Ohio
419.433.4744 www.huronplayhouse.org
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36 |LeisureLiving June 2015
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