The Complete Idiot's Guide to Social Security and Medicare,2E [Paperback]

MBA, Lita Epstein (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: June 6, 2006

Get it while you can …

Complex, ever-changing, and controversial, the future of our current system of Social Security and Medicare is uncertain. This indispensable guide explains the proposed changes and current status of these important social programs. Completely revised to incorporate changes to compensation scales and survivor benefits, and with an expanded section on Medicare and the new drug programs, this book is the most up-to-date overview of Social Security and Medicare currently available.
• Revised and updated with the latest 2006 statistics on income scales and cost of living; such Social Security Benefits as survivor benefits and disability payments; tax codes; and more
• Completely new chapters on Medicare, the Medicare Drug Programs, and the current political climate and proposed changes
• Completely revised section on resources

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lita Epstein, MBA, is a seasoned financial writer who develops online courses about investing for retirement and finance and investing for women. A former congressional press secretary, she has extensive knowledge of the process within the agencies in Washington. She is the author of Alpha Teach Yourself Retirement Planning in 24 Hours and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Supreme Court.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 2 edition (June 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592575196
• ISBN-13: 978-1592575190
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I enjoy translating complex financial and political topics critical to people's everyday life in language that can be easily understood. I do this through my non fiction "how to" books for the Dummies series and the Idiot's Guides. I have more than 25 finance and political books on the market. Prior to writing books, I've worked as a daily newspaper reporter, a magazine editor, a press secretary for a U.S. Congressman and a fund raiser for former President Jimmy Carter, so he can continue his international work through The Carter Center. I earned my MBA at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and my BA at Rutgers University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Several key misstatements & omissions, November 1, 2007

By 

Robert Brown "Bob Brown" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Social Security and Medicare,2E (Paperback)

Although this book covers a lot of ground and is fairly readable, two misstatements and one key omission may actually lead to some bad decisions:
a) The book says there is a 10% tax penalty for withdrawals from a qualified plan (such as 401k) under age 59.5 unless one of a list of exceptions apply..one of which is "leaving a job involuntarily after you reach age 55". But there is no penalty for withdrawals under those circumstances if you leave voluntarily and the rule is that you turn 55 that year (you can retire earlier than your birthday).
b) The book says "when you decide on an age for retirement...there is no going back". Actually if you file a "withdrawal of claim" and pay back the benefits you've recieved, you get a fresh start.
c) A very important option for married couples: if a dependent (i.e. lower earning) spouse wants to start collecting the spouse benefit but the primary earner wants to defer collecting, that can be done (the primary earner has to "file and suspend" for his benefit). A couple of recent studies have demonstrated that this is oftern the best option.

In combination, I think these defects really impair the usefulness of the book.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ever-increasing population of baby boomers will find it useful., October 14, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Social Security and Medicare,2E (Paperback)

The second edition of SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE is a top pick any public library will want to include in their collection. It updates all information on rules, coverage, benefits and more, providing tips on everything from timing retirement benefits to understanding how divorce and death affects social security benefits. An ever-increasing population of baby boomers will find it useful.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that makes a complicated subject simple, December 1, 2007

By 

CastleHill (Copper Canyon, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Social Security and Medicare,2E (Paperback)

With 65 approaching, I had many questions about Medicare and all the issues that accompany this difficult subject. Instead of "reading" the book, I used it as a reference for specific questions, and it provided the answers which brought the subject of Medicare into focus. The chapters were named very simply making it easy to navigate through the book without getting involved in the minutiae of these complicated subjects.

A book I would recommend for anyone approaching 65.