From Peter s Desk by Peter Laverty

Transcription

1 UMC Health System December 2017 From Peter s Desk by Peter Laverty Every few years I write to help our members better understand Social Security Survivor Benefits. With my notepad in hand, I attended a Social Security, train the trainer seminar, visited our Lubbock Social Security office, and traversed the web to come up with some simple rules, advice, and answers. In this month s article, I would like to share the information I found. I do not claim to be a Social Security expert; the information provided is to be used as information only. Peter Laverty Julie Dominguez Lewis Walker My first bit of information is to help you understand that Social Security and Medicare are two different government programs that are often confused for one another. Both come with different rules, policies, dates, and procedures involving two different governmental agencies. A quick way to remember which one you are trying to reach is to remember Social Security gives you money, and Medicare takes it away. IN LOVING MEMORY OF ADRIANA VELA SAS Office Manager 09/15/81 11/16/17 What is the Social Security survivor benefit? When a spouse dies, the survivor is entitled to receive the greater of his or her Social Security benefit. If yours is the higher benefit, you will not qualify for an increase in your Social Security. This would include any cost-of-living increases earned along the way. An important bit of information I found was if the higher-earning spouse delayed filing until the Full Retirement Age or beyond, then the surviving spouse s lifetime benefits would increase substantially. Lost already? Let me try to explain. You have options when to start drawing your Social Security benefits. Currently, the Full Retirement Age is 66. You can start taking your monthly benefits as early as age 62 or delay them up to age 70. The longer you wait to start, the greater the monthly benefit. Take it earlier, and it is the reverse. Let s assume you have enough credits to qualify for benefits and your current monthly earning rate at Full Retirement (66) would be $1,278. If you or your spouse started drawing Social Security benefit at age 62, the monthly benefit would be reduced to $882. That is because you started at an earlier date than your Full Retirement Age (66). If you waited until age 70 to begin, your monthly benefit would be increased to $1,594. That is a potential swing of $712 per month, worth talking about when you look at when to start drawing your benefits. Maximizing the survivor benefit is an especially important consideration for women. Men not only tend to be the higher wage earners but also tend to die at an earlier age than women do. This means, in many cases a delayed filing by a Continued Page 2 Seniors Are Special is a service of UMC Health System and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center 602 Indiana Ave Lubbock, TX

2 Seniors are Special News December A Matter of Balance Program for Older Adults; Approved by AoA & NCOA A Matter of Balance (MOB) acknowledges the risk of falling but emphasizes practical coping strategies to reduce this fear. These include: Promoting a view of falls and fear of falling as controllable Setting realistic goals for increasing activity Changing the environment to reduce fall risk factors Promoting exercise to increase strength and balance The workshop is conducted over eight sessions, meeting twice weekly for two hours per session. The program s goal is to reduce the fear of falling, stop the fear of falling cycle, and increase activity levels among older adults. Up to half of older adults experience fear of falling and many respond to this concern by curtailing activity. A majority of falls occur during routine activities. Falls usually are not caused by just one issue. A large portion of falls are preventable. Being inactive results in loss of muscle strength and balance. It can also compromise social interaction and increase the risk of isolation, depression, and anxiety. Fear of falling can actually contribute to falling. Matter of Balance acknowledges the risk of falling but emphasizes practical coping strategies to reduce this concern. Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable and set realistic goals for increasing activity. Participants also find ways to change the environment to reduce fall risk factors and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance. The group format provides an opportunity for people with a common problem to learn from each other and to help each other deal with the shared problem of fear of falling. The class is designed for adults 60 or older, ambulatory, able to problem-solve, concerned about falls, interested in improving flexibility, balance, and strength. FREE CLASS The UMC Activities Center will be hosting A Matter of Balance classes beginning in January. This 8-session class is a free program where participants will gain confidence and reduce their risk of falls. You should attend A Matter of Balance if you: are concerned about falls; are interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength; have fallen in the past; or have restricted activities because of worry about falling. Preregistration for this class is required. Classes will be held Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:30pm-4:30pm January 15 th -February 7 th. For more information or to pre-register, you can contact Julie Dominguez at the UMC Activities Center at Peter's Desk (continued) man can be an excellent way to boost his spouse s retirement income. At what age should you apply for a survivor benefit? You can receive your full survivor benefits once you reach your Full Retirement Age (now typically 66). You can receive survivor benefits earlier, as young as age 60, but the benefit would be reduced. Listed below are examples of monthly benefit payments: A Widow or widower, of full retirement age or older % of the benefits amount. Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age -- 71½ to 99% Disabled widow or widower, age 50 through ½% Widow or widower, any age, caring for a child under age % Percentages for a surviving divorced spouse would be the same as above. There also may be a special one-time lump-sum death payment. Note: A widow(er) cannot receive the late spouse s benefit if the spouse s benefit was tied to a spouse from an earlier marriage. How to apply for a survivor benefit? If you were already receiving a Social Security spousal benefit, report the spouse s death to the Social Security Administration, and they will change your payments to a survivor s benefits. You will need to do that in person; they do not let you apply by phone or over the internet. If you are receiving benefits based on your own work, check with Social Security, you might be eligible for higher survivor benefits; this will depend on your spouse s work record. Go to the Lubbock Social Security office and complete an application to switch to survivor s benefits, and supply them with an original or certified copy of the death. You can file for spousal or survivor benefits from a divorced spouse in certain instances. Social Security s rules require that you be currently single, and had been married to your ex at least ten years; at least 62 years old, which is the minimum Continued Page 4

3 Seniors are Special News December SAS Travels to Barcelona Social Security Payments Increase 2% in Largest Since 2012 by Gary Strauss, AARP A 2% cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security recipients is coming in 2018, but it doesn t keep pace with rising costs. Social Security recipients will be getting a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2018, the biggest increase since But it won t be enough to keep pace with the rising costs affecting millions of older consumers who depend on the monthly benefit as their prime source of retirement income. The COLA, announced Friday by the Social Security Administration, will boost the average beneficiary check by $27.38 a month, or about $329 a year. The increase is the largest since a 3.6% hike in The adjustment was a minuscule 0.3 % increase in 2017, and there was no change in The 2018 COLA could be crimped by higher Medicare Part B premiums. The standard premium is now about $134 a month, but many participants pay about $109 a month if they have the fee deducted from monthly benefit payments. A hold harmless provision in federal law prohibits Medicare from raising a person s Part B premiums if it reduces their Social Security benefits. For the past two years, most Medicare beneficiaries have been held harmless because, without a significant COLA, increasing their premiums would have resulted in lower Social Security benefits. In 2018, the COLA will be large enough to allow for the increase in premiums. Medicare costs have grown very slowly in the past few years. The increase in premiums that some beneficiaries will see next year is an unfortunate side effect of not having a substantial Social Security COLA recently. Medicare Part B premium prices are expected to be announced next month. The Social Security Administration also announced that the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax, now $127,200, would climb to $128,700 next year. This year, 42 million retirees are receiving Social Security payments averaging $1,377 a month, or about $16,524 a year. With the 2018 COLA, payments will average $1,404 a month, or $16,848 a year.

4 Seniors are Special News December UMC Activities Center Lewis Walker & Julie Dominguez Meet the Staff at the UMC Activities Center: Lewis Walker: In flexible and is a great way to maintain addition to being good balance. They offer beginning the Director of the and intermediate level dancing UMC Activities instruction in Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Center, Lewis Cha Cha, Tango, East Coast Swing, also teaches Country/Western Two Step, Hustle and classes daily. Night Club Two Step. Jim and Linda Currently, he teaches: Strictly Strength love to dance and enjoy teaching. on Monday mornings and Tuesday Gail McCluskey: evenings, Mobility & Balance on Gail began as a Mondays and Fridays, Intro to member in 2013 Wellness on Mondays, Wednesdays, and recently began and Fridays, and Exercise 1 on teaching for us. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lewis She currently believes, Do something active every teaches Line day. Just move! Dance Vocabulary and Beginning Line Don Dillard: Don Dance on Tuesday and Wednesday has been involved and After Vocabulary (AV) Line Dance with the program on Thursdays. Gail says, Coming to since the beginning the UMC Activities Center is a social in He event as much as an exercise program, currently teaches and I encourage people to visit to see Line Dancing what a wonderful place this is. for Fun on Fridays. Don stated you Linda should Dance for fun and health. Muehlbrad: Jim & Linda Linda began as a Finn: Jim & Linda member in 2015 teach the Learn and started subbing to Dance classes classes for us soon Monday nights after. This year and Wednesday Linda began teaching the Yoga PM on afternoons; they Mondays. When asked why she likes learned ballroom dancing at a Fred Yoga so much she said: Yoga is for Astaire studio in California and have everybody! been dancing together for over twenty Anita Owens: Anita moved to years. They believe that dancing Lubbock three years ago and began keeps the mind sharp, the body as a member of the program. She is certified by Yoga Alliance as an instructor and has 8 years teaching experience (previously taught yoga in Missouri). Anita currently teaches our Yoga PM on Wednesdays. Anita says, I started taking yoga because of back pain, so I love to hear my students say that yoga is helping them with their own physical issues. Larry Sava: Larry s teaching experience spans elementary through college levels, including 30 years working with special needs populations and over 16 years teaching with our program. He currently teaches ai Chi Chih and T ai Chi Ch uan on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Seated Yoga-Pilates on Wednesdays. Larry s philosophy is It s never too late to start an exercise/ wellness program. LouAnn Smith: LouAnn began as a member with us in 2002 and started teaching in Currently, she teaches Improve Line Dance and Intermediate Line Continued Page 5 Peter's Desk (continued) Social Security eligibility age; and not already receiving a benefit greater than the divorced spouse s benefit. You can file for spousal benefits even if your ex is not receiving his or her own benefits so long as your divorce has been final for two years. Eligibility for an ex s benefit is lost if you remarry. In addition, you cannot file for benefits on your new spouse s earning record until you ve been married to that person at least one year. Filing for a divorced spouse benefit is kept completely private. It is a transaction between you and the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration will never report this to your spouse. No one will know that you have made an inquiry or filed for benefits on his or her record. You will need to provide evidence of your marriage in person to your local Social Security office with paperwork in hand. Be prepared to show your birth certificate; proof of US citizenship; your information from your tax returns for the last year; your final divorce decree; and your marriage certificate. If you have additional questions, please visit our local Social Security office at th Street or call their toll, free number for help. You may also do a web search to find what you are looking for at and looking for the FAQ section.

5 Seniors are Special News December UMC Activities Center Lewis Walker & Julie Dominguez (continued) Dance on Mondays and Advanced Line Dance on Wednesdays. LouAnn stated, Line dancing is a great way to get your exercise while having fun and making new friends. Line dancing has also helped strengthen my back while improving my balance and overall health. Ping Smith: Ping has been teaching for us for four years now, she is originally from China where she learned her Yoga style and techniques from Janar Dhana R in the Society of Asian Yoga. Ping currently teaches the Yoga AM class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. When it comes to Yoga Ping says, Pay attention to your body and never force yourself to try poses that are uncomfortable, cause pain or makes you not breathe normally; and, do not compare yourself with anybody. Janet Spain: Janet began teaching for us in October. She is a Texas Tech graduate who recently moved to Lubbock to be closer to family bringing years of exercise teaching experience. She holds many certifications in fitness and Yoga. Janet currently teaches Total Body on Mondays and Fridays. Janet told us her personal mission statement is Sharing the journey of health and fitness to anyone open to receiving its many benefits one breathe at a time. Sheila Valigura: Sheila has been teaching with us for over ten years. She currently teaches Pilates on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sheila says, I work out to look and feel good and live longer, and I carry this philosophy in the classes I teach. Robin Walker: Robin has been teaching with us from the beginning of our program in 2001 and currently teaches the Aerobics and Exercise 2 classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Robin says, I love teaching these senior fitness classes. They are an inspiration to me! Sharon Wilson (no picture available): Sharon has been with us for over ten years, bringing lots of experience with her. She currently teaches our Shape Up class on Mondays and Wednesdays, Total Body and Strictly Strength on Wednesdays. Sharon states, I like the idea of helping people stay healthy, mobile, and able to function by themselves. I also enjoy hearing people laugh while working out. Class Spotlight: The class under the spotlight this month is Line Dance Vocabulary with Gail. Line Dance Vocabulary is where you will learn the language of basic line dance steps. The steps will be taught and explained through a feet on experience with a detailed walk-through. Each basic step will be incorporated into a dance exercise that is vocally cued with music. Line Dance Vocabulary prepares you for more advanced line dance classes. Dance steps that will be learned include waltz, cha cha, rumba, tango, mambo, and two-step. Intensity Level: Low to Moderate. Line Dance Vocabulary with Gail meets on Tuesday, at 4:00PM and Wednesday, at 1:10PM. Line Dance Vocabulary is taught on a progressing scale from easiest steps to more difficult steps and then starting back over. Line Dance Vocabulary will be starting from the beginning with most basic steps the week of January 2 nd. You are more than welcome to start Line Dance Vocabulary at any time, but please realize you may starting somewhere along the progression and not with the most basic steps. Line Dance Vocabulary with Gail might be a class for you if you are looking to get active without the feel of going to an exercise class. It is also a class for you if you like to dance but don t want to find a partner. Line Dance Vocabulary is a great way to get active, get moving and met some great people will having fun. Come out give Line Dance Vocabulary with Gail a try on Tuesday, at 4:00PM and Wednesday, at 1:10PM. January 2 nd is the perfect time to start your feet on experience. Holiday Hours at the UMC Activities Center: The UMC Activities Center will close Friday, December 22 nd at 3:30PM through Monday, January 1 st. We will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, January 2 nd, AARP Driver Safety Class: The UMC Activities Center is teaming up with AARP to offer Driver Safety on Thursday, January 18 th, 8:30AM- 12:30PM. Cost is $15 for AARP Members and $20 for Non-members; in order to receive the discounted price, you must bring a copy of your AARP card with you. For more information or to make a reservation, please call

6 Seniors are Special News December Seniors Are Special s Monthly Seminar Wednesday, December 13, :00 PM 5:00 PM McInturff Conference Center at UMC Christmas Party Fashion Show Join us for Seniors are Special s monthly educational seminars. These seminars meet on the second Wednesday of each month beginning at 3:00 PM in UMC s McInturff Conference Center. The meetings are free, open to the public, and no reservations are necessary. Please bring a friend. For further information on these meetings, call SAS at Shuttle transportation service is available from Tech s southwest parking lot for SAS s monthly meeting UMC s Courtesy Shuttle vans provide free shuttle service between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM and 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM for our seminar guests. The shuttle picks up at the Texas Tech parking lot located SOUTH WEST of the Texas Tech Parkway, off 10th Street. Turn west at the 10th Street & Texas Tech Parkway light. The parking lot is located one block down on your left hand side of the street. Follow the SAS parking signs. You are, however, free to park in any of UMC s parking lots. UMC s Better Breathers Club to meet at UMC Activities Center The UMC Better Breathers Club is a support group for people with Chronic Lung disease such as COPD, Asthma, Pulmonary Fibrosis and Lung Cancer. Joining is free! Learn to manage your lung disease and live better. The Better Breathers Club meets the second Monday of every month from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the UMC Activities Center at nd Street, in Rockridge Plaza. Our next meeting will be Monday, December 11, For additional information, contact Lori Stroud at Seasons Greetings!