Q: Mrs S, of Chattanooga, writes: I am 62 and started drawing my Social Security the first of the year. I cashed a life insurance policy. Will this be considered income and a part of what I am allowed to make this year? How much am I allowed to make in 2008?

A: No. We count only the wages you earn from a job or your net profit if you’re self-employed. Non-work income such as pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, capital gains and other government benefits are not counted and will not affect your Social Security benefits.

If you are under full retirement age when you start getting your Social Security payments, $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2008 that limit is $13,560. For more information, we suggest that you read the following publications which are available online: Retirement Benefits (Publication No. 05-10035) at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10035.html and “How Work Affects Your Benefits,” Publication No.05-10069, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10069.html.

Q: Mrs C, of Graysville, writes: I am 66 years old and have been drawing widow benefits since I was 60 years old. I remarried in December 2004. Can I change and get on my new spouse’s Social Security? He is on Social Security disability. He is 64. Would it be greater?

A: Generally, you cannot get widow’s or widower’s benefits if you remarry before 60. But remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if you are disabled) will not prevent you from getting benefit payments based on your former spouse’s work.

And 62 or older, you may get benefits based on your new spouse’s work, if those benefits would be higher. See our publication, “Survivors Benefits,” for more information on qualifying for widow’s or widower’s benefits.

Q: Mrs G, of Chattanooga, writes: “Thank you for all the helpful information in your weekly column. For several months now my Social Security direct deposit has been just a few dollars less than normal. For example, my deposit in 2008 is supposed to be $1,179, but beginning July 3, it has been slightly less: July 3 $1,161; Aug. 2 $1,166; and Sept. 3 $1,166. It’s a very small amount, but I wonder why there has been nothing in the newspaper about an adjustment in benefits.

A: I do not have an explanation as to why your check decreased in July, August and September. I would suggest your call our toll-free number at (800) 772-1213 and the representatives should be able to tell you why the decrease. Please have your Social Security number available when you call.

Q. Mrs. C, of Chattanooga, wrote a letter concerning her sister who lives in Illinois: “Is there anything she can do to drop the Cobra insurance and get some type of Medicare or supplemental help for insurance/medicine coverage. She will be 55 in January.”

A: If you are under 65, you are eligible for Medicare hospital insurance if you:

— Get Social Security disability benefits and have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s) disease; or

— Have been a Social Security disability beneficiary for 24 months; or

— Have worked long enough in a federal, state, or local government job and you meet the requirements of the Social Security disability program.

There are special rules for people with permanent kidney failure. Under these rules, you are eligible for hospital insurance at any age if you receive maintenance dialysis or a kidney transplant and:

— You are insured or are getting monthly benefits under Social Security or the railroad retirement system; or

— You have worked long enough in government to be insured for Medicare.

It doesn’t appear that your sister is eligible for Medicare because she doesn’t meet anyone of the requirements listed above.

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.