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AARP Home » Work & Retirement » Experts »Stan Hinden

Social Security Expert
Stan Hinden

Stan Hinden

— Michael JN Bowles

Stan Hinden is a financial writer and author of How to Retire Happy: The 12 Most Important Decisions You Must Make Before You Retire. He wrote the popular Retirement Journal financial column for the Washington Post, where he worked for 23 years.

Ask a Question | View Social Security Mailbox Archive

the
latest

April 23, 2013

Can My Child Get Social Security?

Benefits may be available for younger kids of older parents. read

March 14, 2013

Can Taxes Be Withheld From My Benefits?

Federal taxes aren't withheld unless you request it. A decision on whether to withhold should be based on your own tax situation. read

March 14, 2013

All About 'My Social Security'

Online account lets you check benefit estimates, change direct deposit information. read

February 27, 2013

Social Security and Medicare Payroll Taxes at 66+

You have to pay no matter how old you are. read

Can I Receive Benefits From Two Countries?

Social Security's 'totalization' agreement allows people who have led cross-border lives to collect benefits. read

January 9, 2013

What's That Code on My Medicare Card?

Codes indicate which type of benefits cardholders receive. read

getting
STARTED

Impact of Early Retirement

Taking Social Security benefits early typically lowers levels for life. read

Social Security Changes in 2013

New calculations may affect your taxes and benefits. read

How Can I Get Health Coverage?

If I retire at 62, what can I do about health insurance? Medicare doesn't start until 65. read

Who Can Receive Social Security Benefits?

Survivors, homemakers and the disabled can get help toward financial security. read

How do I Change My Social Security Direct Deposit?

You can call the Social Security office or go online. read

What's the Effect of Taking My Social Security Benefits at 62?

Think carefully before you decide. Here's why. read

How Far in Advance Should I Apply for Social Security Benefits?

3 months is the rule of thumb. read

How Is My Social Security Benefit Calculated?

Your earnings, age, years worked and inflation all play a role. read

Social Security Website Easier to Use

Its "Get Help With Your Situation" page covers many specific topics. read

I Retired at 57. Will My Benefits Be Affected?

Yes, and you may have to pay taxes on Uncle Sam's check. read

Top 25 Social Security Questions

Get answers to your questions about Social Security benefits and how to claim them. read

What's the Best Age to Claim Benefits?

Here's how your Social Security benefits are affected if you continue to work. read

How to Maximize Your Benefits

'Claim and suspend' lets your payment grow until you're 70. read

divorce/
SPOUSAL BENEFITS

Can My Wife Get a Check if I Don’t?

No. A worker must get benefits first, but a spousal claim can follow. Read

Will Remarrying Reduce My Benefits?

How long you are married affects your eligibility for survivor benefits. Read

Early Retirement and Spousal Benefits

Plus: At 66, can I work without an earnings penalty? read

I'm Divorced. Can I Collect Benefits From My Ex-Husband?

To qualify for benefits on the record of an ex-spouse, you must have been married for at least 10 years. read

Can I Get My Ex's Benefit?

You need to be married for 10 years, but in some states a common-law marriage counts. read

Will My Wife Benefit If I Wait Until 70 to Take My Social Security?

Rules differ for spouses and survivors. read

Can My Wife Claim Half My Benefit?

Not if she took her own benefit early — there will be a penalty read

survivor
BENEFITS

Who Is Eligible to Receive the Social Security Death Benefit?

The lump sum of $255 could go to a surviving spouse or child. read

Understanding the 'Family Maximum'

Can a layoff get you Social Security before age 62? read

Does a Widow Lose Benefits If She Remarries?

What survivors get often depends on age. read

Social Security Survivor Benefits

What are the rules for widows, widowers, children — and survivors with their own benefits? read

How Do Widows' Benefits Work?

A wife who hasn't worked outside the home wants to know. read

TAXES

Is Your Employer Paying FICA Taxes?

The IRS prosecutes companies that hang on to taxes withheld from your paycheck. read

If I Work While Receiving Benefits, Do I Still Pay FICA Taxes?

Yes, for as long as you stay on the job. read

Do States Tax Social Security?

Some do, some don't. Check with your state revenue agency. Read

Paying Taxes on Social Security

Readers get answers about withholding taxes on monthly benefits. read

Collecting Benefits While Working

But do I have to 'retire' first? read

Unemployment and Social Security Benefits

Can you collect both? read

Avoiding the Earnings Penalty

After full retirement age, you can earn as much as you want. read

Can I Beat the Social Security Earnings Test?

There's 1 answer to 3 members' ingenious ideas: No. read

veterans
BENEFITS

Do Veterans Get Special Credit for Social Security?

The armed forces and Social Security have a special relationship; here's how it works. read

Social Security and
Medicare

Do You Have to Sign Up for Social Security and Medicare Together?

No, but it's complicated. read

Can I Forgo Medicare Part B If I Have VA Medical Coverage?

You can, but think long and hard about whether you should. read

Penalty for Delaying Medicare Sign-up

Plus: Should a veteran keep Medicare Part B? read

I'm Not Retired. Do I Have to Enroll in Medicare Part B?

If I collect Social Security at 66, can I still work full time, and does what I earn affect my benefits? read

miscellaneous
ISSUES

Does Additional Income After You Retire Increase Benefits?

Not necessarily. Here's why. read

Can I Collect Social Security and Unemployment at the Same Time?

Yes — but learn which 4 states will reduce your benefits. read

Will Years I Don't Work Lower My Social Security Benefit?

No, but they won't raise it either. read

What's a Representative Payee?

It's a person with a special assignment to help a beneficiary manage the monthly check. read

How Do I Apply for Disability?

You’ll need to document your condition — and possibly wait a long time to hear back. read

What Are the Most Popular Baby Names?

Sophia and Jacob top the list. But for boy-girl twins, it's Mason and Madison. read

Will There Be a COLA Rise in 2013?

All signs say yes, but it's likely to be smaller than this year's 3.6 percent. read

What Are Compassionate Allowances?

165 severe medical conditions will fast-track a disability application. read

Can Your Social Security Payments Be Garnished?

Businesses can't seize your benefits, but in some cases the government can. read

Can I Get a Social Security Card If I'm Not a U.S. Citizen?

Yes, if you're here legally. But not all cards allow you to work. read

What's the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?

One is an earned benefit, the other is an assistance program, but both help people with disabilities. read

Can You Buy Into Social Security?

Generally the only route to benefits is 10 years of work. read

Will Getting a Pension Lower Your Benefit?

No, but it may make more of your monthly check taxable. read

Can I Work Overseas, Collect in U.S.?

Agreements address needs of those who've worked abroad. read

Are Social Security Numbers Reused?

No, but many people used Hilda Whitcher's number. Here's why. read

How Can I Replace a Lost Card?

And get one for an adopted child? read

Do Young Children Get Benefits?

Some do, when a parent retires. Here are the qualifications. read

Can I Get My Social Security Benefits Abroad?

Generally you can, but there are complex exceptions. read

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