Q: Ms. T from Ringgold writes: “I am 66 and have been drawing widow’s benefits since age 60. Am I eligible to draw Social Security on the record of my late husband with an increase in benefits?”

A: I believe you are already drawing Social Security widow’s benefit on your deceased husband’s record. Since you elected to receive widow’s benefit at age 60, your benefit amount is permanently reduced. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 and talk to one of our representatives. If you were married to someone else, we will be happy to check that record to see if you would qualify for additional benefits.

Q: Mr. M from Tullahoma writes: “In March 2008 my stepdaughter applied for SSI. Her medical records showing three spine operations were so complete her SS physical was waived. She has 20-plus SS credits so she is not a ‘goldbrick,’ but she has become financially destitute while awaiting word on her status. Can you help?”

A: I have contacted the manager of the Social Security office in Tullahoma and he will contact your stepdaughter.

Q: Mr. T of Chattanooga writes: “I have been told the federal government was taking income tax on Social Security Checks. Is this true? If it is, it is not fair. Anyone that gets that age doesn’t need that check taxed. We will still pay taxes on what we buy with it.”

A: Some people who get Social Security will have to pay taxes on their benefits. Less than one-third of our current beneficiaries pay taxes on their benefits. You will have to pay federal taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as “individual” and your total income is more than $25,000. If you file a joint return, you will have to pay taxes if you and your spouse have a total income that is more than $32,000. For more information, call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) toll-free at 1-800-829-3676 and ask for IRA Publication Number 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-4059.

Q: “All my life I have planned on retiring at age 62, but I heard the retirement age is rising to 67. Does this mean five more years of work for me?”

A: Not unless you want to continue working. While it is true that the full retirement age is gradually rising to 67, early retirement remains at age 62. So if you go ahead with your plans to retire early, your benefits will be reduced. You also should know that if you choose to keep working even beyond your full retirement age, you can increase your future Social Security benefits. With delayed retirement credits, your benefit will increase automatically by a certain percentage from the time you reach your full retirement age until you start receiving your benefits or until you reach age 70. For example, if you were born in 1943 or later, we will add 8 percent per year to your benefit for each year that you delay signing up for Social Security between your full retirement age and age 70. Check out our online Retirement Estimator, which you can use to get quick and accurate estimates of your retirement benefits based on different scenarios, at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Or read the When to Start Receiving Benefits fact sheet at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.

Get answers to your Social Security questions each Thursday from Social Security District Manager Eleanor Jones. Submit questions to her attention by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at jvass@timesfreepress.com.

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