Fraternity-Testvériség, 1958 (36. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1958-04-01 / 4. szám
24 FRATERNITY PROBLEMS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY Question: I am a 65-year-old widow and have just retired. Am I entitled to a widow’s pension besides my social security? My husband died before the Social Security Act was passed. Answer: The only other general type pension outside socia lsecurity is old-age assistance. This is a program administered by the various states and is based on need. Question: I worked under social security for 14 years. My wages for 1955 were less than $4200, but will be over $4200 starting October 1956. If I work until I am 65 in Feb. 1959, will I get the maximum of $108.50? Answer: Yes. Question: My wife is 65 and eligible for Social Security benefits. I am younger than she. Which way would she benefit most — to draw hers now or to wait until I am 65? Answer: She should consult with her local Social Security office to find her benefit at age 62 and at age 65. The Social Security office can give her the fact, but she must make her own decision as to whether she will take a reduced benefit at age 62 or wait until age 65 to draw full benefits. There is no advantage to her, however, to wait until you are 65 and retired before collecting on her own Social Security account. Question: My uncle lives with us. He gets $40.20 per month from Social Security. When he dies, it will be up to us to bury him. Will we get the Social Security lump-sum? Answer: The Social Security lump-sum death payment is made to the person who pays the burial expenses when no eligible widow survives. Question: My husband is 37 and worked under Social Security for over 15 years. Will he be eligible for the full benefits at 65? Answer: Maximum benefits can be paid to your husband only if he worked for maximum earnings all years beginning with 1951 through the end of the year in which he is 64. Your husband will always be eligible to a benefit under Social Security, but the amount he will receive at age 65 depends on his earnings over his entire working lifetime. Question: My husband and I have been separated (not divorced) for the past several years. (1) If we are still separated at the time of his death, would I be entitled to Social Security benefits? (2) Is our minor child entitled until he is 18? Answer: (1) You would be entitled to monthly benefits only if your husband were contributing to your support at the time of his death. Even if he were not contributing, you would be eligible for the lump-sum death payment if you paid his burial expenses. (2) Yes. CORRECTION The first name in the “In Memoriam” column of the March 1958 issue of the “Fraternity” should have read MIHÓK ANDRÁS, instead of Mihók Andrek, as was erroneously printed. We are sorry for the misprint. Editor
