Dear Carrie: My husband died recently, and it’s just me now. Who will look out for me if I have issues with Medicare or Social Security? — A Reader
Dear Reader: When you experience the death of a loved one, everything else pales in significance. As your question implies, you still need to deal with the practical and financial issues in life, but those can be a lot more difficult when facing them alone.
At this time, it’s really important to reach out to friends, family and trusted advisers. Don’t be afraid to ask for help — and don’t let yourself become isolated. There are also lots of community services available if you know where to look for them. For my part, I can provide a few insights and point you toward some resources.
Applying for Social Security Survivors Benefits
As a widow, if you’re at full retirement age as defined by the Social Security Administration, you qualify for 100 percent of your husband’s benefits. (For those born between 1943 and 1954, full retirement age is 66.) If you’re younger, benefits are graduated by age and work status. Of course, if your own benefit is higher, you should take that.
The SSA can give you detailed information on what you need to provide to get your husband’s benefits (e.g., a death certificate, your marriage certificate and Social Security numbers for both of you) and will work with you to ensure you receive the maximum you’re entitled to. You can find specifics on how to apply at http://www.ssa.gov. However, you can’t apply for survivors benefits online. You must either call 800-772-1213 or contact your local Social Security office.
Contacting Medicare
Generally, you’re eligible for Medicare if you or your husband worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, you’re 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. If you have questions, there are two primary sources of information:
–If you’re already enrolled in Medicare, your benefits should remain the same. However, if you haven’t yet enrolled, have questions about eligibility or want to apply for the extra help benefit available under the prescription drug program, you can contact the Social Security Administration either online at http://www.ssa.gov or by calling 800-772-1213.
–For questions about covered medical services, choosing a Medicare Part D plan or finding a local doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare patients, you can call 800-633-4227 or go to http://www.medicare.gov.
Finding Someone to Help You
Dealing with these issues — especially at a time such as this — can seem a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, there are organizations that can help you.
One good place to start would be an Area Agency on Aging. These agencies are dedicated to helping seniors get assistance with health care, home care, transportation and more. Many offer specific help with Medicare and Medicaid issues and provide volunteer counselors and community education programs.
To find out what’s offered in your community, you can go to http://www.n4a.org or to http://www.eldercare.gov, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. Either website will take you to the Eldercare Locator, which can direct you to specific programs in your area. You can also call 800-677-1116.
There are a number of other websites dedicated to senior care issues, such as the Administration on Aging’s site (http://www.aoa.gov) and the Family Caregiver Alliance’s site (https://caregiver.org). Both provide online tools for finding local resources and support services, as well as information on government health and disability programs, legal resources and more.
I don’t know what your living arrangements are, but if you’re in a position to consider an active adult/senior community, this might make sense. These retirement-oriented communities offer access to a wide variety of resources, from job counseling to legal services.
Speaking of legal services, another option is to find an attorney who specializes in senior issues and understands how to navigate through the maze of government agencies. This might be costlier — and you would want to make sure to get an attorney who is highly recommended. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (https://www.naela.org) has an online locator, which can provide a starting point for finding a qualified attorney in your area.
Moving Forward With Your Financial Life
I know it’s not easy, but it’s very important that you take a close look at your new financial reality. You don’t have to do it alone. Discuss it with your family, or look for a financial adviser if you don’t already have one. Talk about how your lifestyle may change. Go over your saving and spending needs, and assess your current situation and goals as you look ahead.
The key is to stay active and involved, reach out and in some ways be your own advocate. By doing so, you may find that you have more of a support system than you imagined — one that can help you move forward with confidence.
Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ is president of the Charles Schwab Foundation and author of “It Pays to Talk.” You can e-mail Carrie at askcarrie@schwab.com.