Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits
Product Type: Book
Product Price: $29.99
Manufacturer: NOLO
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Description
Get the most out of the new Medicare drug coverage!
Everyone wants to get the highest possible retirement and pension income --not to mention the best medical coverage. This book is your guide to finding retirement benefits, figuring out the best time to claim them, and then doing so quickly and easily.
Social Security benefits
Find all the latest information and instructions you need to get your retirement and disability benefits, dependents and survivors benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Medicare & Medicaid
Learn the nuts and bolts of both programs, plus how to qualify and apply for them. Understand Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage what it covers, how to apply for it and how to use it with your medigap policy, managed care plan or Medicaid.
Medical coverage options
Get the latest information on Medicare and Medicaid HMOs and other managed care plans, and learn about the different types of medigap health plans.
Government pensions & veterans benefits
Discover when and how to claim the benefits you have earned.
The 15th edition contains a new chapter on Medicare Advantage Plans, including information about rapidly expanding private fee-for-service plans, plus new Social Security qualifying & benefit figures, and Medicare premium, deductible, copayment & coinsurance figures. (20080302)
Reviews
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-18
Summary: "A must reference book!!!"
It's tough to go wrong with NOLO press, and this book is no exception. If you are near retirement, already retired, or caring for someone who is, this book will logically guide you through the crazy government regulations covering options for retirement income and medical care. It may not be all-inclusive, but it is comprehensive in that it includes several references to fill in details. This book provides what the average person needs to know. If you aren't retiring in the next five years, you may still want to peruse this and keep if for reference or retirement planning. The book is about 450 pages of well-written, easily understood material that is intelligently categorized for quick reference. I'm really happy to have my copy!
Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-06-24
Summary: "INFORMATIVE, A BIT DRY"
QUITE INFORMATIVE,THOUGH A BIT DRY. IT IS WORTH THE READ IF YOU ARE NOT A NOVICE ON THESE THINGS.
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-06-11
Summary: "A clear, easy to understand guide"
If you've ever tried to get information on Social Security, Medicare or Government Pensions from one of the government's websites or from a government publication, you're going to really appreciate using this book as an alternative. Everything is laid out in an easy to understand manner, in common everyday language and the nice thing is that it not only tells you about the laws concerning these programs but it gives advice on such things as when is the best time to retire for your situation. It is well organized so it's easy to find the information that you need quickly. It is actually interesting to read, not a dry publication like some of the government pamphlets I've read. There are so many things that I didn't know before reading this book. The laws regarding Social Security and Medicare aren't as daunting as I once thought they were.
Of course laws change, so they provide online updates and resources such as legal forms, and updates. But this book will give you all the basics so you have a clear understanding and can create your own plan of action for the future. After reading this guide I wouldn't hesitate to buy other Nolo guides as needed. If you do an Amazon search for "Nolo guides" you can see the large number of different subjects they cover.
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-26
Summary: "Right at your fingertips.... a wealth of information so much needed"
You do not need to be a senior to receive the full benefits of this impressive and very helpful book. You may be a young survivor of a social security wage earner; you may have an earlier disability, or, you may be curious about your future with a government pension. The problem is, most people do not educate themselves until a crisis or until it is time.
The NOLO books is a series of simple language, books that offer help in layman's term, provide hardcopy resources, online resources, legal forms, legal updates, anecdotes, examples, etc., etc. The books are self-help, are very concise, with everything you can imagine that you need to know.
If you have any idea what it takes to waddle through government books, website pages, library self help, word of mouth, seminars, etc., it is not easy, not fun, and unsure. With the Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions book, there is more than you will ever need. You will learn all aspects of your social security earnings, receiving benefits, survivor benefits, applying, etc.
What I like about this book is the basic explanation of the Social Security benefit amounts, and who and how much is survivor entitlement. Whether you have loved ones or the need for yourself, pay close attention to the Medicare section that delves deep into the understanding of prescription coverage and the very important MediGap. Included is info on civil service and veteran benefits.
The book format is one of the highlights, nice glossy paperback cover; easy to handle book, large enough font, plenty of white space for margin writing, shaded significant sections, easy to understand charts, numerous tips on each section, story type examples. Each chapter is well-defined, and there is an extensive index. Everything you may need to know about, you can easily find it. And better, the [...] web site is handy for free legal updates.
This is another well-informed book with extensive information, at your fingertips. .....Rizzo
Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-05-26
Summary: "Functions like a road atlas, not 100% up to date, but gets you there"
"Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits" offers a road map to dealing with the mind-numbing, surreal red tape and Byzantine bureaucratic structures that dole out to many of us money we have been forced to pay throughout our working lives. The authors, Joseph Matthews and Dorothy Matthews Berman, aspire to provide a clear English, accessible guide to, and in large measure succeed.
This reference is well-organized, making it possible to find quickly specific information relevant to one's situation, e.g. retirement, disability, social security, or federal pensions and veteran's benefits. It's true that not every recommendation or discussion about particular points of the myriad regulations and laws is up-to-the-minute, but such is the nature of print information when we live in a Web-based world.
In essence, this book functions in the same way a road atlas---it may not be 100% up to date, but it gets you to your destination. Hence, the publisher provides online up-dates that one should consult if in imminent need of applying for any of the benefits discussed.
I think that the processes and resources documented here certainly suffice for folks who are tired of struggling to just get clear answers and feeling overwhelmed by the miasma looming around the federal agencies that obfuscate information and disenfranchise customers whether they intend to or not.