Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 2 October 2003 — Page 27

The Muncie Times • October 2, 2003 • Page 27

Social Security continued from page 23. name your employer is using to report your earnings to the government and the name you use to file your tax returns with IRS match the name in Social Security records. We don't care which name that is, as long as you are consistent in using the same name for all official purposes. Question: A friend told me I am required to carry my Social Security card with me at all times. Is this true? Answer: No. In fact, we advise people just the opposite. Unless you are applying for a job and for some government benefits

(times when you may need to show your actual Social Security card), there is generally no reason to carry it around with you. You can help prevent identity theft if you keep your Social Security card in a safe place at home. Question: I turn 62 this year and plan to retire soon. The problem is the way my company pays me. Even though I will turn in my invoices before I retire, I won't get paid until several months later. In other words, even though I am retired, I will get paychecks in September, October, and probably November, too. I know I can only make a certain amount of money

after I retire. Will my company's payment policy mess up my eligibility for Social Security? Answer: No,it won't. We count earnings inthe month they are earned , not the month they are paid. So even though you will get paid after you retire at the end of July, because you earned taht money prior to August, you will be due your full Social Security retirement for the rest of the year. Question: I am currently getting a divorced wife's benefit on my ex-husbands record. But we’ve recently started living together again. And we're thinking of

getting married again. Does this change anything for Social Security puposes? Answer: In your case,the amount you'd be due as a wife is the same as you'd be due as an ex-wife. So it does not really matter if you're divorced and living apart or if you're living together again. And if your ex becomes your ex-ex, in other words, if you decide to get married agian, you should let us know so we can update our records. But again, there will be no change in your payment amount. Question: My father came to this country in 1996 when he was 56. He went to work

almost immediately, but died just a few months ago. Will my 61-year old mother who has never worked be due any Social Security on his record? Answer: You should check with your local Social Security office to find out if your father was "insured" for Social Secuirty purposes. Normally, he would have needed 10 yearsof covered work to be insured for Social Security. However, there are special circumstances that could affect your mother's eligibility for survivors benefits.

Organ Dedication On Sunday afternoon, October 12, at 3:00P.M. a Dedicatory Concert will be held at the First Baptist Church, 309 E. Adams, to celebrate the installation of a new organ. The instrument is a 3 manual, 21 rank digital/ pipe hybrid organ based on the Rodgers Trillium 957 Digital organ. This instrument seamlessly incorporates pipe organ sounds dating from 1926 to present with digitally produced organ sounds. It is a marriage of the old and new and is one of the largest hybrid organs in the area. The organ was installed by Reynolds Associates of Marion, IN. The visiting artist for the concert will be Rodney L. Barbour, a native of Huntington, West Virginia, presently residing in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Barbour holds the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education and Organ Performance from the University of Cincinnati. Additional studies include: completion of all Doctoral course work and recitals for a doctoral degree in organ performance from the University of Cincinnati; studies in worship, organ performance and children’s music at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ; and study at the Creative Education Foundation at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The concert is free and open to the public. A reception will follow in the lower auditorium of the church.