Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 15 September 1994 — Page 20

The Muncie Times, Thursday, 15 September 1994, Page 20

Social Security is a long term investment for U.S. residents

by William D. Brown Muncie District manager Some young workers regard Social Security taxes as an unwelcome deduction from the family’s income. They think about how they could use the money to pay bills—or save for their children’s education. Retirement often seems too far off on the horizon to care about. But the Social Security taxes young parents pay can help with more immediate concerns should misfortune or tragedy strike. An unexpected serious illness or injury to a parent, or a young mother or father’s untimely death, raises the question of ‘what help is there for the children?’ You may be surprised to learn that more than 3.5 million children were receiving benefits at the end of 1993. Each month. Social Security paid nearly $1.2 billion to children in families where one or both parents were disabled, retired or deceased. These beneficiaries are the biological or adopted child(ren), or stepchild(ren), of an eligible worker. To receive Social Security benefits, a child must: • have a parent(s) who is disabled or retired and is entitled to Social Security benefits; or • have a parent who died after working long enough in a job where he or she paid Social Security taxes; and • be under age 18; or • be 18 to 19 and a full-time student (who has not completed grade 12; or • be 18 or older and disabled (with a disability that began before age 22). When you apply for benefits for a child, you’ll need to furnish the child’s birth certificate and the worker’s

Social Security number. Depending on the type of benefit inv jived, other documents nay be required. Generally, child’s benefits will continue until the child is 18. If the beneficiary is under 19 and attending an elementary or secondary school, benefits continue until the student graduates or is 19. A parent who is receiving benefits solely because he or she is caring for a child beneficiary may receive these benefits until the child i is 16. Then, although the parent’s benefits stop, the child’s benefits will continue for 2 more years, longer if the child is in school or meets the disability definition discussed above. How much does Social Security provide? There’s a limit to the amount of benefits that can be paid to a family. For each family, the monthly maximum amount is determined when the benefits are computed. Generally, it is between 150 and 180 percent of the worker’s basic benefit amount. If the total amount payable to all family members exceeds the limit, each person’s benefit will be reduced proportionally, except the worker’s benefit, until the total equals the maximum allowable amount. If there are no children or the children are grown. Social Security pays benefits to spouses 62 or older, including divorced spouses who were married 10 years, of a retired worker. Surviving widows and widowers 60 and older, 50 if disabled, including those who were divorced from the worker after at least 10 years of marriage, also may be eligible for benefits. For more information about these benefits and

other Social Security programs, call Social Security’s toll free telephone number, 1-800-772-1213, any day and any time and ask for Understanding Social Security. Question: I’m a married woman who works and pays Social Security taxes. A friend of mine told me she’ll be eligible for Social Security benefits on her husband’s record, even though she’s never worked or paid Social Security taxes. That doesn’t seem fair. Does that mean that the Social Security taxes I’m paying are wasted, since I could get benefits on my husband’s record without even working? Answer: The Social Security taxes you are paying are not wasted. As a married woman who works and pays Social Security taxes, you have advantages by being eligible for your own benefit. You may get a higher benefit when you retire than if your benefit was based solely on your husband’s earnings. You can retire before your husband, based on your own earnings, even though your husband continues to work. As a working woman, you earn disability protection for you and your dependent children. Also, in the event of your death, your survivors may be eligible for benefits based on your earnings. Did You Know? I Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other Federal program. I The first Social Security check ever issued was for $22. Today, the average Social Security retirement benefit is $653.. I Because of increased

fraud and misuse involving Social Security numbers, an applicant for an original number must submit documentary evidence establishing his or her age, identity and United States citizenship or lawful alien status. I The Internal Revenue Service has responsibility

House Republican Leader Paul Mannweiler (RIndianapolis said applications for the House Democratic/Majority Caucus and Republican Caucus Internship programs are available to undergraduate and graduate students interested in working during the 1995 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Phillips said forms can be obtained by calling program coordinator Michael Thrall at (317) 232-9794 or tollfree at 1-800-382-9842. Thrall said interested students can also pick up an application from the chairman of their school's political science department or the director of their school's internship programs. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 7. Internships will begin in early January 1995 and should end some time in late April. Participants receive college credit for their work as well as a stipend of $200 a week. Thrall said internships will be arranged in four areas of staff responsibility: con-

fer the collection and refund of Social Security taxes. I In 1962, about 69 percent of individuals over 65 received Social Security. By 1990, about 92 percent of older Americans received Social Security. ❖

analysis. The GOP internship will begin in January 1995 and end in early May, after the legislative session. Interns will have to live in the Indianapolis area during this time. College juniors, seniors, graduates and graduate students are eligible, said Mannweiler. "Interns play an important role during the session," Mannweiler said. "We rely on interns to help the staff with the increased workload of session. Not only do the interns gain practical experience, but they also receive a working knowledge of the legislative process that can't be taught in the classroom." For more information on the House Republican Program or to receive an application, call 1-800-382-9841 or (317) 2329802, or write to David Bottorff, chairman. Intern Selection Committee, 200 W. Washington St., Statehouse Rm. 401-4, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The deadline is also Oct. 7.

Demos, GOP seek 1995 interns Indianapolis—Indiana stituent/caucus services. House Speaker Michael K. . media relations, newsletter Phillips (D-Boonville) and production and budget