Category: Social Security

Social Security Increases for 2021

On By Jane Fearn-Zimmer, Esq.In Elder Law, Social SecurityLeave a comment

The new numbers reflecting the 2021 cost-of-living increase Social Security benefits are now available!  Here are some of the more the important 2021 federal numbers:

If you would like to see your new Social Security benefit amount for 2021, it is expected to be accessible online beginning in early December, 2020.  Hard copies of the 2021 Social Security benefit award letters will be mailed beginning in December, 2020. 

Jane Fearn-Zimmer is an Elder and Disability Law, Taxation, and Trusts and Estates attorney. She dedicates her practice to serving clients in the areas of elder and disability law, special needs planning, asset protection, tax and estate planning and estate administration. She also serves as Chair of the Elder & Disability Law section of the NJSBA.

Increase in the SSI Federal Benefit Rate for 2020

On By Jane Fearn-Zimmer, Esq.In Social SecurityLeave a comment

Jane Fearn Zimmer Elder Law Attorney

The federal government recently released its 2020 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Spousal Impoverishment guidelines.  The guidelines, which took effect on January 1, 2020, set the SSI Federal benefit rate at $783.00 for an individual and $1,175 for a couple.

SSI is a monthly cash benefit to blind, disabled or elderly individuals with low income and resources.  Subject to the exclusion of certain sources of income, the SSI monthly income cap is set at $2,349 for an individual.  In order to qualify for the SSI benefit, the applicant must have a disability or diseases severe enough such that the applicant cannot engage in substantial gainful activity.  An applicant who is earning more than a set monthly amount of income is considered to be engaging in substantial gainful activity.  In 2020, the substantial gainful activity monthly limit for an elderly or disabled individual who is not blind, is $1,260 in earned income.

Questions? Let Jane know.

Jane Fearn-Zimmer is an Elder and Disability Law, Taxation, and Trusts and Estates attorney. She dedicates her practice to serving clients in the areas of elder and disability law, special needs planning, asset protection, tax and estate planning and estate administration. She also serves as Chair of the Elder & Disability Law section of the NJSBA.

Changes to Social Security in 2020

On By Jane Fearn-Zimmer, Esq.In Social SecurityLeave a comment

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The year 2020 will bring important changes to the Social Security program, including a 1.6 percent Social Security benefit increase and an increased annual earnings cap for the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) tax, which is a component of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax.  Beginning in 2020, the maximum annual amount of earnings subject to the OASDI will increase to $137,700 from the current limit of $132,900 applicable in 2019.

Also beginning in 2020, the maximum retirement earnings test exempt amounts will be $18,240 annually (or approximately $1,520 monthly) for individuals under full retirement age.  That means that for every two dollars earned in excess of that limit, one dollar in Social Security benefits will be withheld.

In addition, starting in 2020, the SSI federal payment standard will increase to $783 monthly for an individual and to $1,175 per couple. Here is a helpful fact sheet summarizing these and other important 2020 Social Security numbers.

Questions? Let Jane know.

Jane Fearn-Zimmer is an Elder and Disability Law, Taxation, and Trusts and Estates attorney. She dedicates her practice to serving clients in the areas of elder and disability law, special needs planning, asset protection, tax and estate planning and estate administration. She also serves as Chair of the Elder & Disability Law section of the NJSBA.

Social Security Benefit Increase for 2019

On By Jane Fearn-Zimmer, Esq.In Social SecurityLeave a comment

Social Security Benefit Increase for 2019

Beginning with their January 2019 payment, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive larger benefit amounts, due to a 2.8 per cent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) (the largest increase since 2012).

The Social Security program will see other changes in 2019, including:

  • The full retirement age is delayed to age 66 and six months for individuals turning age 62 during 2019;
  • A person claiming his or her Social Security benefit before full retirement age will receive a decreased benefit amount; and
  • Medicare Part B premiums are also scheduled to increase to $134 monthly for Medicare enrollees with taxable income below or equal to $87,000 annually, and more for higher income recipients.

Questions? Let Jane know.

Jane Fearn-Zimmer is an Elder and Disability Law, Taxation, and Trusts and Estates attorney. She dedicates her practice to serving clients in the areas of elder and disability law, special needs planning, asset protection, tax and estate planning and estate administration. She also serves as Chair of the Elder & Disability Law section of the NJSBA.