The Complete Idiot's Guide to Social Security and Medicare, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

by MBA, Lita Epstein (Author)
Key Phrases: full retirement age, retirement earnings test, own work record, Social Security, Social Graces, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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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

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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,936 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Nonfiction > Politics > Social Security
  #4 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Administration & Medicine Economics > Medicaid & Medicare
  #15 in	Books > Science > Medicine > Administration & Policy > Medicaid & Medicare

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 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)

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.

12 of 13 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

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

6 of 6 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

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.