Social Security Disability &
  Special Needs Planning News
 from
 Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law
In This Issue:
No Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment in 2016
2016 Medicare Part B Premium & Part A and B Deductibles
New Social Security Rules End Two Spousal Claiming Strategies
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We invite you to reprint our articles in order to bring helpful information to your readers, with the following guidelines:

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Source: Reprinted from the January 2016 Newsletter of Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law, www.sheriabrams.com

 

Issue: # 84

 January 2016

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After not having missed a month in over 5 years, it has been a long time since we have sent out a newsletter.  Sorry.

 

Typical excuse----We have been very busy since we re-opened the firm.

 

Time has flown by, and things are going great, thank you for asking.

 

We are very happy to bring our monthly newsletters back to life.
 
 

We thought that in this "re-launch" newsletter we would bring you up to speed on the changes for 2016.

 

These monthly newsletters are designed to provide useful information on Disability Law & Issues with a special emphasis on Social Security Disability & Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and Special Needs Trusts & Planning.

 

You may have been added to our e-mail newsletter mailing list if you are a client, business associate, a Facebook friend, a Linked-In connection, or another professional contact of Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law. 

 

You may unsubscribe by clicking on the link at the end of this e-mail.


COLA The Social Security Act ties the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to any increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will not automatically increase in 2016 as there was no increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2014 to the third quarter of 2015.

Important 2016 Social Security figures are as follows:

The amount of SSI will remain the same at $733 a month for a person, $1100 a month for a couple;

The maximum Social Security benefit will decrease to $2,639 a month;

The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will remain the same at $118,500;

Significant Gainful Activity (SGA) increases to $1,130 a month; and

A Trial Work Period (TWP) increases to $810 per month;

To read about how the COLA is calculated, please visit

2016 Medicare Part B Premium & Part A and B Deductibles

MedicareSince there was no Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2016, by law, most people with Medicare Part B are "held harmless" from any increase in premiums and will pay the same premium as 2015, which is $104.90 per month.

Those not subject to the "hold harmless" provision pay $121.80 per month.

Medicare Part B beneficiaries not subject to the "hold-harmless" provision are those not collecting Social Security benefits, those who will enroll in Part B for the first time in 2016, and dual eligible beneficiaries who have their premiums paid by Medicaid.

There are also beneficiaries who pay an additional income-related Medicare Part B premium.

For 2016, the Medicare Part A deductible increased to $1,288 and t he Medicare Part B deductible increased to $166.00.

More specific information about Medicare changes in 2016 is available at 


New Social Security Rules End Two Spousal Claiming Strategies

Social Security has new rules which have done away with the claiming strategies known as "File and Suspend" and "Claim Now, Claim More Later." 

File and Suspend:  The file and suspend strategy allows a person to apply for his or her own retirement benefits at their full retirement age, then immediately suspend the benefit without ever receiving a benefit check. Doing this makes it possible for his or her spouse to begin receiving spousal benefits, while leaving his or her own retirement benefit unaffected and growing until as late as age 70.  If you are eligible for this strategy you have until April 30, 2016 to implement it.

Claim Now, Claim More Later:  The claim now, claim more later strategy allows a person to restrict his or her own larger retirement benefit and take a lesser spousal benefit while waiting to claim a maximized benefit at age 70.  It grows unaffected by any spousal benefits already received.  Under the new law, only those who reached age 62 or older in 2015 will be grand-fathered in and be able to file a restricted application for spousal benefits at full retirement age.

Free Download of Sheri Abrams' Book "Don't Gamble With Your Social Security Disability Benefits"

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You can download a free copy: 
  

For more information please click  here  to read our Press Release.     

Our Office Location


The law firm of Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law is located at: 

service source building


 

10467 White Granite Drive
Suite 306
Oakton, VA 22124
(571) 328-5795


 

This is in the "ServiceSource" building and there is plenty of free and accessible parking.

Our office is also accessible by public transportation.

Referrals


If you know of someone who could use our legal services, please forward to him/her this e-mail newsletter or give him/her our telephone number: (571) 328-5795.

  

We provide legal services in the areas of Social Security Disability Law, Special Needs Planning, Elder Law, Special Needs Trusts, Wills and Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives, Guardianship, Disability Planning and Student Loan Discharge. 
   
If you, or someone you know, is involved with an educational event or support group that would benefit from a presentation on any of the areas of law for which we provide legal services, please call us at (571) 328-5795.