Social Security & Medicare Answers, Researched and Explained
We look up the official SSA and CMS rules so you do not have to. Every article cites its sources, uses current-year figures, and explains what to actually do — in plain English. No hype, no alarmism, no financial advice.
Recent articles
- Full Retirement Age Chart: Find Your FRA by Birth Year
- Social Security at 62: How Much Your Benefit Is Reduced
- Social Security at 62: How Much Your Benefit Is Reduced
- Does Medicare Cover Dental? Dentures, Oral Surgery, and Exceptions
- Continuing Disability Review (CDR): What to Expect and How to Prepare
- How to Apply for Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI)
- How to Appeal IRMAA Medicare Premium Surcharge Form SSA-44
- How to Replace Your Social Security Card Online (Free and Fast)
- How to Withhold Federal Tax from Social Security (Form W-4V)
- Medicare and Employer Insurance After 65: Which Is Primary?
Social Security retirement
When to claim, how your benefit is calculated, working while receiving benefits, the earnings test, COLA increases, full retirement age by birth year, claiming strategies for couples, and benefits for self-employed workers.
Medicare
Enrollment periods and deadlines, Part A (hospital), Part B (medical), Part D (prescriptions), Medicare Advantage vs Medigap, IRMAA income surcharges, late enrollment penalties, cost assistance programs, and coordinating with employer or VA coverage.
Disability (SSDI & SSI)
How to apply, the 5-step disability evaluation, what to do if denied, reconsideration and ALJ hearings, back pay, trial work period rules, SSI income and resource limits, continuing disability reviews, and condition-specific guidance.
Family & survivor benefits
Spousal benefits and the deemed filing rule, divorced spouse eligibility (the 10-year rule), survivor benefits for widows and widowers, the 2025 WEP/GPO repeal under the Social Security Fairness Act, children’s benefits, and the family maximum.
Taxes on Social Security
How the combined income formula determines what portion of your benefits is taxable (0%, 50%, or 85%), state-by-state tax rules, the retirement earnings test, voluntary withholding with Form W-4V, and strategies for managing your tax bracket in retirement.
SSA tools & help
Setting up a my Social Security account, replacing a lost card, contacting the SSA (phone numbers, office locator, best times to call), handling overpayment notices, reporting fraud and scam calls, and understanding SSA forms and letters.
About this site
ssfaq.com is an independent reference site. We are not the Social Security Administration or CMS — for official services, visit ssa.gov or medicare.gov, or call 1-800-772-1213 (SSA) or 1-800-MEDICARE.
We research each topic using the SSA Program Operations Manual (POMS), CMS regulations, the US Code, and agency publications. We verify current-year dollar amounts, percentages, and deadlines before publishing. Nothing on this site is financial or legal advice. Benefit eligibility depends on your individual work record and circumstances.
More about us and how we work | Editorial policy | Full disclaimer
Contact the SSA
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778
Online: ssa.gov
Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE
Office locator: Find an office near you