Author Archives: Site Administrator
Eliminate The Early Retirement Penalty With Social Security Disability Benefits
While it’s possible as early as age 62, choosing to receive Social Security retirement benefits before your normal retirement age is penalized. The “early retirement penalty” can amount to a 30 percent reduction in your monthly benefit. And what’s worse is that the penalty is permanent. Thus, although your monthly benefit will change with… Read More »
File A Maryland Workers’ Compensation Claim – Reporting Your Injury Is Not Enough!
You were injured on the job. You reported your injury to your supervisor and your boss filled out a form that you signed. The insurance company gave you a claim number and paid your medical bills. You had no contact with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission. You thought all was well. You were wrong…. Read More »
Safekeeping Your Last Will & Testament: 5 Recommendations
So you stopped procrastinating, hired a lawyer, and executed a Will. Now what should you do with it? To fully understand the following five recommendations it is essential that you understand the importance of the original Will. After your death, the original Will needs to be delivered to the Register of Wills (or its… Read More »
Social Security Benefits For Stay-At-Home Parents
Stay-at-home parents face a serious problem obtaining social security benefits. To qualify for benefits, they had to have paid into the social security system. For disability benefits, the disabled person must have worked 20 of the last 40 quarters (5 of the last 10 years) before their disability began. (See Have I Worked Enough… Read More »
Think Twice About Designating A Disabled Person As A Beneficiary
Despite your good intentions, naming your disabled niece as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy may not do her any good whatsoever. In this final installment in this series, I explain why disabled beneficiaries should be handled with extreme caution. This advice actually applies to all manner of property given to a disabled… Read More »
Have I Worked Enough To Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) implements two separate programs that provide cash benefits to disabled individuals. The primary focus of this blog is on Disability Benefits (aka “Disability Insurance,” “DI,” “RSDI,” and “Title II benefits”). The other type of benefit is called Supplemental Security Income, “SSI” or “Title XVI benefits.” Both programs use the… Read More »
Maryland Vocational Rehabilitation – Don’t Put All Your Eggs In The Insurance Company Basket
Vocational rehabilitation is all about finding “Suitable Gainful Employment.” Employment is a job. Gainful is one that pays money, so the real question is what is Suitable? As an injured worker, when you’re receiving vocational rehabilitation benefits you have the opportunity to work with a vocational counselor to try and find a job that… Read More »
Estate As Beneficiary Of Life Insurance, IRA Or 401k: Bad Idea
The last place you want your life insurance, retirement account, or pay-on-death (POD) account to go upon your death is to your Estate. Thus, do not name your “Estate” as the beneficiary on the designation form provided by your insurer, broker, or financial institution. However, even if you don’t make this mistake on the… Read More »
Age: A Crucial Factor In Your Social Security Disability Case
While the severity of the impairment is the most significant factor in Social Security Disability cases, age follows right on its heels as the second most important factor. The reason is simple – the law is different for people of different ages. The younger a person is, the more difficult it is to prove… Read More »
Three Problems Caused By Maryland’s Medical Fee Guide For Workers’ Compensation Claims
The Workers’ Compensation Commission regulates the amount a Maryland medical provider can charge for treating work related injuries. The permitted amounts are found in a document entitled, “Guide of Medical and Surgical Fees”. The medical provider may not charge the injured worker an amount in excess of the amount provided in the fee guide…. Read More »