The Sidney Herald

Many Not Applying For Security Benefits

According to Glenn Gardner, district manager of the Billings social security office, more than one million eligible people 65 years old and older, have not yet applied for their social security payments. Many have not applied because they are still working, he said.

Under the law since 1961, those eligible for social security retirement payments may earn up to $1200 a year and still receive all benefit checks for the year. If earnings are over $1200, the new rules frequently permit the payment of some social security benefits. The amount payable depends on how much over $1200 a person earns, and on the amount he would normally receive from social security each month.

For each $2 of earnings between 1200 and $1700 only $1 of benefit payments is withheld. For earnings above the $1700 bracket, $1 of benefits is withheld for each $1 of earnings.

One example, Gardner said, would be a married couple who are both 67 years old, fully retired, and eligible for $1800 a year in social security benefits. Even if the husband were working and earned $2000 a year, he and his wife would be entitled to social security benefits of $1250 for that year under the new rule.

Persons who want to check up on their social security benefits are invited to visit their social security representative, Ray Jelle, when he is in Sidney at the Courthouse on Thursday, September 13, from 9 a. m. to 2 p. m.