Fraternity-Testvériség, 1965 (43. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1965-11-01 / 11. szám
FRATERNITY 7 establish their benefit rights. This will qualify them for hospital insurance protection and will also make sure they get any cash benefits to which they may be entitled commencing in 1966 because of more liberal retirement test provisions. Under the amendments, any earnings that a person has after applying for social security will automatically be included at a later date in a recomputation of benefits if it is advantageous to the individual; therefore, no one can lose by filing for benefits as soon as possible. Persons 72 or older not now getting benefits because they (or their husbands) had not worked enough under social security to qualify under the previous provisions of the law. These persons, if they have any social security credits at all, should get in touch with the nearest social security office right away, because the amount of time they needed to have worked under social security has now been reduced. Some persons 72 or over will now qualify for benefits of $35 a month with as little as three quarters of coverage under social security. Benefits may also be payable to the wife or widow of such persons. Widows 60 or 61 years old at the time the law becomes effective. Beginning September, widows can choose to have their cash benefits start at age 60, instead of age 62, but at a reduced amount. Application for this purpose may be filed immediately. Students 18 to 22 years of age whose social security benefits have been stopped, as well as others nearing age 18 who plan to continue in school. Benefits can be paid back to January 1965 to those who already have been dropped from the rolls, but only upon application at a social security district office. Those nearing age 18 and planning to stay in school or return to school should also visit a social security district office, in order to supply the information about their schooling which is necessary if benefits are to be paid after age 18. A severely disabled worker may now collect disability insurance benefits if his condition has lasted or is expected to last for 12 full months — even though he may recover. Until now, he could not collect disability insurance benefits unless his disability was expected to continue for a long and indefinite period of time, or else cause his death. The Social Security Administration plans to search its records and get in touch with those who applied for but were denied disability insurance benefits during the past year because they were expected to recover. Others who think they may qualify under this change in the law should ask about getting benefits at the nearest social security office. There’s no change in amount of work required under social security for eligibility for disability insurance benefits. “Other persons who will want to inquire about possible new social security benefits”, the Commissioner said, “includes widows past 60 who have remarried, and women 62 or over who were divorced after at least 20 years of marriage.” “One other important DON’T for persons over 65”, Commissioner Ball emphasized: “Don’t, because of this new law, cancel any hospital or medical insurance you may now have. None of the health insurance provisions of the new law give any protection whatever until July 1, 1966.” (D. H. E.W. — S. S. A.)
