In 2014, Social Security benefits will rise only 1.5%, and this is one of the smallest increases so far in the program’s annual COLA (cost of living adjustment).

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Social Security Benefits in 2014
In 2014, Social Security benefits will rise only 1.5%, and
this is one of the smallest increases so far in the program’s
annual COLA (cost of living adjustment).
Social security benefits are available for older Americans
who have retired, for
disabled people, survivors
of workers who have died
and dependents of
beneficiaries. In the United
States, approximately 165
million people work and
pay Social Security taxes
while around 58 million people receive monthly Social
Security benefits.
Small Increase Compared to 2013
In the year 2014, Social Security benefits will rise only
1.5%, and this is one of the smallest increases so far in the
program’s annual COLA (cost of living adjustment).
Compared to the 1.7% increase in 2013, this is quite less. In
2010 and 2011 there was no COLA increase in the wake of
the recession and the fall in prices. In 2012 though, there
was a 3.6% adjustment that was quite significant. The small
increase now is attributed to the fact that inflation has
remained low. With this small increase of 1.5%,
beneficiaries will receive an increase of $19 that will lift
the check to an average of $1294.
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The Longer the Wait, the More Are the Benefits
Social security benefits are paid on the basis of your
lifetime earnings; the more you earn, the more will be your
benefit. A person enrolling at the current FRA (Full
Retirement Age) of 66 would get 100% of his/her full
benefit. However, if you choose to retire at age 62, you will
receive only 75% of your full benefit. if you can wait to
claim benefits when you are 70, your monthly payout
would be 132%.
Consider a person whose average annual earnings SS
benefits determinant was $75,000. His/her annual benefit at
the age of 62 would be $15888. This figure would increase
to $21181 if they retire at the full retirement age of 66. If
they choose to retire at 70, this benefit amount would
further rise to $28821. A person waiting for 8 years to
claim benefits can enjoy 81% increase in his/her annual SS
payments. However, it is important that a person retires at
the right age because the one drawback in waiting to claim
SS benefits is that if they die before filing for Social
Security benefits, no one including the deceased’s spouse
or dependents stands to benefit. SSI claims cannot typically
be started after a person dies. However, if a person
contacted Social Security and enquired about filing for
disability benefits before his/her death, the beneficiary can
file an application for the same.
The Important Role of Disability Attorneys
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People planning to retire and claim Social Security benefits
have to consider many aspects. They need all the relevant
information that will help them make the best decision.
Social Security law is rather complex, and usually
claimants prefer to consult a disability lawyer to understand
the intricacies and take the decision that is best in their
case.
Disabled individuals can file for Social Security disability
benefits provided they meet the required criteria. When a
Social Security claim has been denied, they request the
services of a disability attorney who can provide valuable
support in getting their claim approved. Statistics show that
a claimant represented by an attorney is more likely to be
approved by the SS. Disability attorneys will present the
case in a way that is most favourable to their clients.
• They would provide advice on the claimant’s disability
onset date; and argue that the particular impairment
meets the requirements of one of the disabilities listed in
the Social Security’s “blue book.”
• The lawyer will collect and submit all relevant medical
evidence, get an opinion from the treating physician,
draft a detailed brief to the ALJ (Administrative Law
Judge), and prepare the client for the questions the judge
may ask during the hearing, during the first and second
levels of appeal. He/she would also obtain helpful
testimony from the client during the hearing. In addition,
helpful information to substantiate that the client is
unable to work would be elicited from the medical expert
during cross examination.
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• When appealing to the Appeals Council and federal
court, the disability lawyer will effectively argue and
demonstrate that Social Security has wrongly denied
your case.
The Medical Record Review Process – Its
Significance
When filing for social security disability benefits, the
claimant’s medical records are the most important proof to
establish his/her disability. Only a detailed analysis and
review of these valuable documents will give the lawyer an
idea about the actual disability. Medical records can be
voluminous and reviewing them is not an easy job,
especially for a legal person untrained in medical matters.
This is where a reliable medical record review company
can be of valuable support to a social security disability
attorney. The medical review company has medical and
legal professionals on their review team that can prepare a
detailed medical chronology listing all the medical
encounters. They will also provide concise medical case
summaries that provide all details regarding the specific
disability of the claimant, medical opinions and other
relevant details. The significant aspect about an intelligent
medical review process is that the summaries are not
mechanically prepared. They provide valuable insight to
the lawyer regarding the case which will assist in case
preparation and during the appeals process.
The service of a medical review company is thus
invaluable to social security disability attorneys and their
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firms, helping them win cases and bringing relief to their
clients.
Posted by MOS Medical Record Review Company
http://www.mosmedicalrecordreview.com/
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