COVER STORY
SOCIAL SECURITY SIMPLIFIED
EXPERT ANSWERS AND GUIDANCE
▶︎ For years, my Social Security payments from private-sector work have been reduced because I also have a pension from public school teaching. With the repeal of WEP, when will I get all that money I never got?
You’ll get money soon, if you haven’t already, but not as much as you’re hoping.
For years, if you received a pension from a job that didn’t pay into Social Security—maybe because you worked in the public sector—your Social Security benefits from jobs where you did pay into Social Security would usually be reduced by a rule known as the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Similarly, if you were due spousal or survivor benefits but also had a pension from a job not covered by Social Security, those Social Security payments would also be lowered by what’s known as the Government Pension Offset (GPO). With the elimination of WEP and GPO earlier this year, most of the estimated 3.2 million Social Security recipients affected by the change should have seen a bump up in their monthly payment starting in April, according to the Social Security Administration.
As for recovering what was subtracted from your past payments, the new law applies only to benefits payable for January 2024 or later. In early March, the SSA said it had made more than 1.1 million retroactive payments averaging $6,710.
▶︎ If I am at full retirement age and keep working, will FICA payroll taxes still be deducted from my wages and, if so, will that factor into my payments?
If you’re still clocking in, yes, you’ll still have FICA taxes deducted from your paycheck to cover Medicare and Social Security. And yes, another year of work could increase your future benefits, starting early the next calendar year. Those benefits are based on the 35 years of highest earnings on your Social Security record, so if you have fewer than 35 years of earnings, or if your latest ones are relatively high, you might get a lift. Here’s one hypothetical: Let’s say you had 15 years of low earnings and 20 years of average pay. Another year of average income will knock out one of your low income years in the SSA’s formula, raising your payment about $40 a month, or 2 percent.
▶︎ I’ve been married and divorced twice. Can I collect divorced spouse benefits on both marriages?
Yes, but not at the same time. Some rules: You can’t collect divorced spouse benefits on a marriage if it lasted less than 10 years. You can’t collect if you remarried and are still in that marriage. And if your ex-spouse hasn’t yet claimed Social Security, you can’t collect on your ex’s record until two years after your divorce. But if you have two qualifying past marriages, the SSA should pay you the higher divorced spouse benefit, assuming it’s larger than the benefit based on your own record. To be sure you’re getting the highest payment, contact Social Security with details of both marriages.
For the latest Social Security news and expert advice, visit aarp.org/socialsecurity. If you have a question about Social Security, submit it at aarp.org/ssquestions. We can’t respond to all queries.
AARP Social Security program manager Jammie Lyell was formerly an SSA technical expert.
The ABCs of Medicare
SORTING THROUGH MEDICARE’S ALPHABET SOUP OF OPTIONS CAN INDUCE HEADACHES. WITH THAT IN MIND, HERE ARE SOME ABCs.
▶︎ E is for Enrolling. You can enroll at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up, or by making an appointment at a Social Security Administration office or calling 800-772-1213. Don’t miss any deadlines or you could have to wait for coverage and even pay a higher premium the rest of your life. Check Medicare.gov for deadlines, which can vary if, for instance, you still have health coverage through an employer.
▶︎Part A. You won’t pay a premium for Part A coverage for hospitalization if you are 65 or older and you or a spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. But that leaves a lot uncovered, like doctor visits, prescription drugs and other care. That’s why many people pay for additional coverage. And that’s where choices get complicated.
▶︎ Part B. Medicare Part B helps cover a range of outpatient items and services, including office visits, preventive care and lab tests. The standard cost for Part B is $185 a month for those with a modified adjusted gross income of $106,000 or less. Higher earners pay more. The deductible is $257 a year. You must enroll in Part B to be eligible to choose a Medicare Advantage plan to supplement your health coverage.
▶︎ Part C. That’s another name for private Medicare Advantage plans. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether original Medicare or Advantage plans are best. Advantage plans can charge an additional premium on top of your Part B premium, but some plans will actually pay some or all of that premium for you. Most plans include drug coverage for prescriptions you pick up at a pharmacy. More expensive plans offer bells and whistles like dental coverage. But copays and deductibles can raise the cost. They also have more limited lists of doctors in their networks and can require prior approval for procedures.
▶︎ Part D. The hot news in Medicare is better benefits for Part D, which covers Rx drugs. There is a new annual out-of-pocket spending cap for covered drugs ($2,000 in 2025). The Medicare Extra Help program offers reductions on out-of-pocket costs under Part D for those with limited resources. For details, check secure.ssa.gov/i1020/start.
▶︎ M is for Medicaid. Many older Americans who qualify for Medicare also qualify for Medicaid, which was created at the same time. Today, Medicaid is a top payer of long-term care, which is not covered by Medicare.
▶︎ H is for Help. Medicare Savings Programs help with out-of-pocket expenses like premiums, deductibles and copays for Parts A and B. MSPs are available through state Medicaid offices. Go to Medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicaresavings-programs.
Still uneasy swimming in Medicare’s alphabet soup? States have a State Health Insurance Assistance Program that can help. Find yours at shiphelp.org or call 877-839-2675 and say “Medicare.”
Tamara Lytle writes about health and government for AARP and has worked as a congressional reporter.
Need Help With Social Security and Medicare Decisions?
AARP HAS YOU COVERED WHEN YOUR TIME COMES TO NAVIGATE THE SOMETIMES CONFUSING TERRITORY OF APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND ENROLLING IN MEDICARE. HERE ARE SOME OF THE RESOURCES WE OFFER.
▶︎ Medicare initial enrollment. AARP Navigator, a new online tool for members, guides you through signing up for Medicare with tailored content based on your unique circumstances and preferences. This program for first-time Medicare enrollees can help those approaching age 65 navigate the key factors of enrollment and make the decisions that are right for you. Learn more at aarp.org/medicareinitialenrollment.
▶︎ Social Security (and Medicare) for Dummies. In the newly updated Social Security for Dummies by AARP, you’ll find all the basics on Social Security, plus the latest updates and changes, so you can make the most of your benefits. AARP also offers a newly updated Medicare for Dummies. Find them at aarp.org/Dummies.
▶︎ Video tutorials. Our AARP YouTube channel (youtube.com/@AARP) offers videos that answer the most common questions regarding Social Security and Medicare, including when is the best time to start taking Social Security and what exactly does Medicare cover?
▶︎ Breaking Medicare and Social Security news. AARP journalists cover all developments on these programs and other topics vital to older Americans. Go to aarp.org.
▶︎ Information to maximize Social Security benefits. Our Social Security calculator guides you to smart choices that can help you maximize your benefits. See aarp.org/social-security/benefits-calculator.