Medicare Blog

are ssa medicare penalties assessed against spouses of retirees who had bcbs coverage until age 68?

by Clemens Auer Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Do you have to pay for Medicare if your spouse turns 62?

If you are more than 3 years older than your spouse, you may have to buy Medicare Part A until your spouse turns 62. That’s when your premium-free benefit would start. The Part A monthly premium is $422 in 2018.

What happens if my spouse receives Social Security benefits before full age?

If the spouse begins receiving benefits before " normal (or full) retirement age ," the spouse will receive a reduced benefit. However, if a spouse is caring for a qualifying child, the spousal benefit is not reduced.

What is the maximum amount of Social Security spousal benefits?

If you’re eligible and can qualify, the spousal benefit can be as much as 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s full retirement age benefit. If your spouse’s full retirement age benefit amounts to $2,000 per month, your spousal benefit at your full retirement age could amount to $1,000 per month.

How much is a spousal benefit reduced before retirement age?

A spousal benefit is reduced 25/36 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months. If the number of months exceeds 36, then the benefit is further reduced 5/12 of one percent per month.

How do I avoid Medicare Part B penalty?

If you don't qualify to delay Part B, you'll need to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid paying the penalty. You may refuse Part B without penalty if you have creditable coverage, but you have to do it before your coverage start date.

What is the Part B penalty?

If you didn't get Part B when you're first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10% for each 12-month period you could've had Part B, but didn't sign up. In most cases, you'll have to pay this penalty each time you pay your premiums, for as long as you have Part B.

How is the Part B penalty calculated?

Calculating Lifetime Penalty Fees Calculating your Part B penalty is fairly straightforward. You simply add 10% to the cost of your monthly premium for each year-long period you didn't have Medicare. It's simple to get a snapshot of what you will have to pay each month.

How is Medicare late enrollment penalty calculated?

Medicare calculates the penalty by multiplying 1% of the "national base beneficiary premium" ($33.37 in 2022) times the number of full, uncovered months you didn't have Part D or creditable coverage. The monthly premium is rounded to the nearest $. 10 and added to your monthly Part D premium.

Can Medicare penalties be waived?

You may qualify to have your penalty waived if you were advised by an employee or agent of the federal government – for example by Social Security or 1-800-MEDICARE – to delay Part B. Asking for the correction is known as requesting equitable relief.

Why was my Medicare Part B Cancelled?

Depending on the type of Medicare plan you are enrolled in, you could potentially lose your benefits for a number of reasons, such as: You no longer have a qualifying disability. You fail to pay your plan premiums. You move outside your plan's coverage area.

Is there maximum of Medicare penalty?

As of now, there is no cap when calculating the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty. However, legislation has been introduced to cap the Medicare Part B penalty at 15% of the current premium, regardless of how many 12-month periods the beneficiary goes without coverage.

How long does Medicare Part D penalty last?

Since the monthly penalty is always rounded to the nearest $0.10, she will pay $9.70 each month in addition to her plan's monthly premium. Generally, once Medicare determines a person's penalty amount, the person will continue to owe a penalty for as long as they're enrolled in Medicare drug coverage.

Why are there Medicare penalties?

Medicare charges several late-enrollment penalties. They're meant to discourage you from passing up coverage, then getting hit with costly medical bills. To avoid higher Medicare premiums, you need to know about these penalties and take steps to avoid them.

How do I avoid Part D Penalty?

3 ways to avoid the Part D late enrollment penaltyEnroll in Medicare drug coverage when you're first eligible. ... Enroll in Medicare drug coverage if you lose other creditable coverage. ... Keep records showing when you had other creditable drug coverage, and tell your plan when they ask about it.

How long is a member responsible for a late enrollment penalty?

Medicare beneficiaries may incur a late enrollment penalty (LEP) if there is a continuous period of 63 days or more at any time after the end of the individual's Part D initial enrollment period during which the individual was eligible to enroll, but was not enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan and was not covered under ...

What is considered creditable coverage for Medicare?

Creditable coverage is defined as health insurance that meets or exceeds what Medicare covers. If you have creditable coverage, you can delay signing up for Medicare without penalty. If you lose your creditable coverage, you must sign up for Medicare within 8 months; otherwise, penalties and late fees may apply.

How much is spousal benefit?

The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker's " primary insurance amount ," depending on the spouse's age at retirement. If the spouse begins receiving benefits before " normal (or full) retirement age ," the spouse will receive a reduced benefit. However, if a spouse is caring for a qualifying child, the spousal benefit is not reduced.

What is the reduction factor for spousal benefits?

For a spouse who is not entitled to benefits on his or her own earnings record, this reduction factor is applied to the base spousal benefit, which is 50 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount. For example, if the worker's primary insurance amount is $1,600 and the worker's spouse chooses to begin receiving benefits 36 months ...

What age do you have to be to file for retirement?

Another requirement is that the spouse must be at least age 62 or have a qualifying child in her/his care.

Can a spouse reduce their spousal benefit?

However, if a spouse is caring for a qualifying child, the spousal benefit is not reduced. If a spouse is eligible for a retirement benefit based on his or her own earnings, and if that benefit is higher than the spousal benefit, then we pay the retirement benefit. Otherwise we pay the spousal benefit. Compute the effect of early retirement ...

When is deemed filing for retirement?

Deemed filing applies at age 62 and extends to full retirement age and beyond. In addition, deemed filing may occur in any month after becoming entitled to retirement benefits.

What is a suspended retirement?

A worker at full retirement age or older applied for retirement benefits and then voluntarily suspended payment of their retirement benefits.

Why did the spousal benefits change?

What is the reason for this change? Historically, if spousal benefits were higher than their own retirement benefit, they received a combination of benefits equaling the higher benefit. This change in the law preserves the fairness of the incentives to delay, but it means that you cannot receive one type of benefit while at the same time earning a bonus for delaying the other benefit.

How old is Maria's husband?

Her husband, Joe, is 65. They have each worked enough years to earn a retirement benefit. In March of 2020, Maria has reached her full retirement age and files for benefits. Maria is eligible for a spousal benefit on Joe’s record. Maria must file for both benefits.

Can a spouse receive spousal benefits at full retirement age?

Previously some spouses received spousal benefits at full retirement age, while letting the retirement benefits based on their earnings record grow by delaying to file for benefits.

Does Jennie receive her own retirement?

She does not start her own retirement benefit, allowing it to grow. At age 70, she starts her own increased retirement benefit, which she will receive for the rest of her life. The new law does not affect her because deemed filing does not apply to widows and widowers. Jennie will receive the higher of the two benefits.

Can you continue to receive spousal benefits if you have suspended your benefits?

If you have suspended your benefits, you cannot continue receiving other benefits (such as spousal benefits) on another person’s record.

What is the maximum amount of retirement benefits for spouse?

The maximum benefit for the spouse is 50 percent of the benefit the worker would receive at full retirement age. The percent reduction for the spouse should be applied after the automatic 50 percent reduction. Percentages are approximate due to rounding.

What happens if you delay taking your full retirement?

If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase. If you start receiving benefits early, your benefits are reduced a small percent for each month before your full retirement age.

Is it better to collect your retirement benefits before retirement?

There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your benefit before your full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is your benefit will be reduced. Each person's situation is different.

What would happen if Julie filed for Social Security at 62?

For example, if Julie filed at 62, her $800 benefit would be reduced to $560. The $200 “spousal top-off” would be reduced from $200 to $130.

What Does It Take to Qualify for Social Security Spousal Benefits?

Unlike most rules related to Social Security, the rules for the spousal benefit entitlement are pretty straightforward and easy to understand.

How many people receive Social Security benefits as a spouse?

A recent Social Security report found that 2.3 million individuals received at least part of their benefit as a spouse of an entitled worker. Some of these spouses had benefits of their own, but were eligible to receive higher benefit because the spousal benefit amount was greater than their own benefit. Others never worked outside the home ...

What is the most generous benefit available to retirees?

What’s one of the most generous benefits available to retirees? That’s easy. It’s Social Security spousal benefits ! These benefits are some of the most important, too.

How much is spousal benefit?

Depending on how old you are when you file, the spousal benefit amount will range between 32.5% and 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s full retirement benefit. Check out the chart below to get an idea of how the benefit works and what your payment might be if you can take advantage ...

What is the 1 year requirement for Social Security?

The 1-year requirement is also waived if you were entitled (or potentially entitled!) to Social Security benefits on someone else’s work record in the month before you were married. An example of these benefits would be spousal benefits, survivor benefits or parent’s benefits.

What is Julie's reduction to her own benefit?

This means that Julie’s reduction to her own benefit would be based on her age when she filed for her benefit. However, her reduction to the spousal benefit would be based on her age when Joe filed for his benefit. So, if Julie filed when she was 62, her own benefit would be reduced.

How long do you have to be married to collect spousal benefits?

You qualify for spousal benefits if: Your spouse is already collecting retirement benefits. You have been married for at least a year. You are at least 62 (unless you are caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled, in which case the age rule does not apply).

How much of a survivor's Social Security benefit do you get if you have a child?

If the survivor benefit is based on your caring for a child, you receive 75 percent of the deceased’s benefit, regardless of your own age when you file. Keep in mind. Your spousal benefit is not affected by the age at which your husband or wife claimed Social Security benefits.

How much does spousal benefit affect?

Depending on your age upon claiming, spousal benefits can range from 32.5 percent to 50 percent of your husband’s or wife’s primary insurance amount (the retirement benefit to which he or she is entitled at full retirement age, or FRA). Regardless of the amount of the spousal benefit, it does not affect the amount of your mate’s retirement payment.

How old do you have to be to receive survivor benefits?

You are at least age 60, unless you are disabled (then it’s 50) or caring for a child of the deceased who is under 16 or disabled (no age minimum). In most cases, survivor benefits are based on the benefit amount the late spouse was receiving, or was eligible to receive, when he or she died.

What percentage of survivor benefits are based on a child?

If the survivor benefit is based on your caring for a child, you receive 75 percent of the deceased’s benefit, ...

What is survivor benefit based on?

In most cases, survivor benefits are based on the benefit amount the late spouse was receiving, or was eligible to receive, when he or she died.

Does Social Security increase if late spouse files for FRA?

With survivor benefits, if your late spouse boosted his or her Social Security payment by waiting past FRA to file, your survivor benefit would also increase. Your spousal or survivor benefits may be reduced if you are under full retirement age and continue to work. Social Security is phasing in the FRA increase differently for different types ...

Who is excluded from Social Security?

The state excluded only those employees who would be covered by Social Security in the absence of the agreement, employees already covered by a retirement system, and those services which are specifically excluded under the Social Security Act .

What is the purpose of Section 71-602?

Section 71-602 grants to the Department of Health the power to appoint municipal or county clerks as local registrars. Local registrars hold office during the pleasure of the Department of Health. It is the duty of local registrars to accept for filing all birth and death certificates.

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