Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement and Medical Benefits

by Joseph Matthews

Your complete guide to Social Security retirement and medical benefits
The rules for claiming Social Security benefits have changed. Find out if you can still choose between your own benefits and spousal benefits. Learn this and more with Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions —completely updated for 2022. Social Security benefits. Figure out how to get retirement, disability, dependents, and survivors benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Decide whether it’s best to claim benefits early, at full retirement age, or not until you turn 70—and how to time your claims so you and your spouse get the best benefits. Medicare & Medicaid. Learn how to qualify for and enroll in both programs, including Medicare Part D drug coverage. Medigap insurance & Medicare Advantage plans. Compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans, and choose what’s best for you. Government pensions & veterans benefits. Discover when and how to claim the benefits you have earned. What’s New in 2022?

Genres: Nonfiction, Finance, Business, Reference, Health

512 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1988

Reviews

[Natali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the most exciting of topics but it is a really important book. I picked this up because my father-in-law found himself suddenly permanently incapacitated and unable to pay for long-term care and my family and I realised how ill-prepared we were for this situation. None of us were well-versed in the options and I realized how little I personally knew about benefits and healthcare and the likes. I pre-ordered this book but unfortunately he died before it was published. After reading this book, however, I realise that his passing was a blessing for the system he was living under. Wow, what a terrible mess. Healthcare in the United States is a real shame. This author lays it all out in a way that everyone can understand and tries really hard not to opine but even he has to admit that this system "not a credit to the United States." I am glad that I am educated now but sad for what I am educated about.

The first part about social security was especially helpful. I learned a lot and picked up some tips that I can do for myself and my family to help maximise our retirement earnings.

This is probably the most practical book I'll read this year. It's not exciting but it is important. The author does a great job presenting this in a palatable way so it's not too much of a drudgery. Every American worker should read a book like this at some point, and optimally before they need to rely on these programs.

[Ryan Jankowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this is a helpful work on the complicated subject of social security and medicare. The author is super lefty (ucla) and it permeates much of his commentary. At the same time, he is a plaintiff's attorney for injury claims and his contempt for insurance companies likewise permeates most of his commentary (after all, he has to be contemptuous toward them to justify his 30-50% cut from his clients' awards). I only found one error in the book where he states a spouse has to have adequate credits in order to qualify for spousal benefits. Not true, but it's a small mistake overall.

I have 4 other NOLO series (one other from the same author, 'Long Term Care') and they're all pretty thorough.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a good, complete book about retirement & medical benefits. Not all of it applies to us but I'll probably purchase the book as a reference.

[Graham Seibert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Highly freighted with political messages. Marginal information. No links.

The political biases are enough to gag a demogogue. In short the authors believe that (1) everybody deserves everything they get from the government, as if it had all been fully paid for in advance, (2) the cheapest way to staff any government program is with civil servants rather than contractors, (3) big pharma and big insurance are out to rip everybody off, and (4) these programs would be solvent if one only followed the author's common-sense approaches.

We agree on big pharma and insurance. The government has made them the ugly creatures they are. In other words, styled them in the form of government itself. But enough of politics! I just wanted a decent reference work, and got a handful of fluff.

There is not much here that I had not learned by (tediously) going through the government's own web sites. No blinding insights on how to game the system. Few links to useful information, either by government or independent observers. Disappointing for the work of lawyers, no links whatsoever to the underlying statutes (United States Code; Code of Federal Regulations) to help the nolo-inclined spirit to figure things out for himself.

They outdummy the Dummies books

[Mark Zodda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nolo books are usually the first ones I turn to when I need a reference book, but when it comes to Social Security and Medicare, the book to get is Social Security: The Inside Story, 2018 Silver Anniversary Edition by Andy Landis. Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions is probably useful, especially if you anticipate problems with your social security or Medicare benefits, but overall nowhere near as good as Andy Landis' book. Matthews' book is confusing, the copy and paste function is abused as much of the information is repeated over and over again, and he continually gives his political views on the programs, which detracts from its usefulness. Start with Landis" book and only get this guide if you need more information or are having problems with your benefits.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad. Doesn’t mention the guaranteed issue right available to mass residents.
Author’s liberal inclination is show when discussing how to solve ss insolvency. Investing ss in the stock market is something only crazy politicians would do. Also when he talks about cost for medical insurance it is those greedy public companies

[Kirk Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 26th edition of this book, updated for 2021. It is a comprehensive guide to Social Security and Medicare. The amount of information is overwhelming, but it is well organized and written conversationally.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good overview of things you should know about all the topics covered. I was surprised by political statements made, when I only expected this to be a guidebook and not a editorial about the topics.

[Wdmoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, very readable and very complete. Start with this book and you probably won't need anything else.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive, more text book like summary of Socialist Security and Medicare benefits. This is a good reference book.

[Lewis Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and very informative; a must read for anyone approaching Social Security and Medicare eligibility!

[Cason Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

None of this book applied to me, but I don't regret reading it.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned many things in this book, but I'm not interested in working until I'm 70 - that was repeated many times...

[Amy Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very thorough, but exceptionally dry. I read every page until the middle of chapter 12 and then finally gave up and just skimmed the remaining chapters.

I chose this book mostly as "Government Pensions" was a part of the title and I was disappointed that there was very little information on this subject in the book.

I found the sections on Medicare informative but depressing. My current government position has a mandatory retirement age of 63. This book made it seem that my health insurance options will be both limited and expensive. I also do not have a Thyroid gland thanks to cancer some time ago. I require medication for the missing Thyroid. Part D Medicare insurance vs. a Medicare Advantage Plan was difficult to sort through.

However depressing though, I would recommend this book. Everyone should have an understanding of what they can expect for their retirement.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stimulating reading—not.

But very very helpful. Extremely clear, and well-organized. I would recommend it to people thinking about retirement in order to understand the effects early retirement might have on social security payments, etc. Some of it I learned from working as a VITA worker, but this was much clearer than my hodge-podge learning.

Also the overview (because I really just skimmed) of Medicare and Medicaid was also helpful. Lots of nitty-gritty issues with billing, etc., that I know I may need to re-read in the near future, as I help manage finances for my father.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly I'm thinking about this more and more. For me, I needed a gameplan on how to think about staging my retirement age. The chapter on social security gave me lots of information and solid facts from which I can make more decisions.

While it's not fun reading, it does make you feel like you are more in charge of your financial future than when you just don't know how things are going to work out.

[Wdmoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, easy to read advice. Some of these books make me break out into a cold sweat trying to figure out what the hell they're talking about. Not this book. I brought back to library and bought a copy. Highly recommended.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yup, I'm getting ever closer to that time of life. It covers a lot of ground. Caution, though. This edition (20th) is tad behind some of the changes in law. But it gives you a good background on some the choices and requirements.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really useful--I got a lot from it.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 19th Edition of this book by Attorney Joseph Matthews and the book includes free legal updates at Nolo.com

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Information on Social Security & Medicare, how to apply, rules and regulations. Easy to read, explained clearly, plus you have access to the website for updates.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom read this.

[Carolyn Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reference book for people who are getting to age 65 and older.

[Debbie Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

First part of the book was informative and interesting. Second par on Medicare was less so & maybe because it could change in 10 years.

[Charlie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry, but useful. A good resource for those working in the financial services industry as well as regular folk looking to better understand the system.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exciting reading but helpful, I learned a lot

[Sherry]

This book is jam packed with detailed information about social security retirement benefit information (what it is, how to apply and how to determine when to take it); Social Security Disability Benefits; and other programs under social security; Federal pensions, veterans benefits; Medicare; Medigap Insurance, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicaid. I took copious notes and finally understand Part A, Part B, and Part D under Medicare. What I wonder is why Medicare has to be so complicated, especially when it is primarily for people who are 65 and older who may have trouble remembering all the minutiae that must be maneuvered by them to obtain services and deal with things not covered or denied. A good book with lots of references to other resources for more detailed information in your locale.