Q: My daughter was married this month. Being an independent sort, she is not going to change her name. Being an old-fashioned sort, I told her she should take her husband's name now that she's married. One of the arguments I used is that she will mess up her tax and Social Security records if she doesn't change her name. She said this isn't true. Who's right?

A: I'm afraid you'll have to come up with a better reason for your daughter to conform to your "old-fashioned" ways regarding a new bride's taking her husband's name.

The government doesn't care which name she uses. But the government does care big time that she uses the same name at work, in Social Security records and on her tax returns.

In other words, if she keeps her Social Security card in her maiden name but then starts using her married name at work, she's going to run into problems. The government will get earnings and tax reports from her employer under the name "Mrs. Mary Shackledtothisguy" but will be trying to match those reports to government records that show the name as "Miss Mary Independent." That will lead to all kinds of complications, time-consuming attempts to reconcile the discrepancies and delays in possible tax refunds.

The message here is consistency. The government says your daughter can use any name she chooses as long as she is consistent in its use.

Q: I've heard that the Social Security Administration pays special monthly disability benefits to Iraq war veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Is this true?

A: No. Social Security pays monthly disability benefits to anyone who is "insured" (has worked and paid taxes) and who has a physical or mental impairment that is severe enough to keep him or her from working.

So if a person has a case of PTSD that is so bad that it keeps him or her from holding down a job, then there is a chance that person might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. But they would be the same kind of monthly benefits payable to anyone else with any other kind of qualifying disability.

Q: I have been getting Social Security disability benefits for about five years. I am about to turn age 65. I'd like to start getting regular Social Security now. How do I do that?

A: You just sit back and relax. When you reach your "full retirement age" (probably age 66 for you, not age 65), the Social Security Administration will automatically switch you from disability benefits to retirement benefits.

But don't be expecting bells and whistles and balloons. And especially don't be expecting more money. Essentially nothing (that you will notice) happens when you reach age 66. Your benefit amount stays the same and you'll keep getting your checks on the same day each month.

The only real change is a bookkeeping entry at SSA. When you turn 66, your monthly benefits will start coming out of the retirement trust funds instead of the disability trust funds.

Questions may be sent c/o Copley News Service, P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112-0190. Or send e-mail to yoursocialsecurity@comcast.net.
© Copley News Service
Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com