Representation Will Benefit In The Long Run

Although there is no law which says you need to hire a lawyer, in practical terms and regardless of how you feel about attorneys, it is difficult to handle a workers' compensation case on your own. With trained adjustors working for the insurance companies who have lawyers at their everyday disposal, hiring a qualified attorney is essential. Unless your case is extremely simple, a good lawyer is important to protect your rights. Trying to handle your own case may save you a penny but cost you a pound in the long run.

Hiring a lawyer is critical in any of the following situations:

-The employer denies you were injured on the job
-The carrier has denied benefits
-You cannot get medical treatment
-You are not getting paid
-The adjustor promises benefits or care which never arrives
-An attorney for the employer or insurance company contacts you and wants to take a deposition
-You want to sue a third person- You begin to represent yourself and you encounter someone on the other side who is particularly difficult and is trying to take advantage of your lack of legal expertise

These are but a few of the situations which arise and should make you consider hiring an attorney. Remember, the more problems you encounter, the more you probably need representation.

Choosing a lawyer is a personal matter. A lawyer generally has 19 years of formal education and must have passed a difficult exam to be able to practice law. This training combined with his legal experience constitutes his education. His education and experience are primary considerations along with the proven ability in the field of workers' compensation. Board certification shows that the practitioner has a high degree of experience and ability. Because there is a continuing relationship between the lawyer and the injured worker as a client, the personal nature of the relationship must also be considered.

Social Security Increases for 2011

FACT SHEET

Social Security

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA):

Based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2008 through the third quarter of 2011, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a 3.6 percent COLA for 2012. Other important 2012 Social Security information is as follows:

TAX RATE

Employee

2011: 7.65% *

2012:7.65% *

Self-Employed

2011: 15.30% *

2012: 15.30% *

NOTE: The 7.65% tax rate is the combined rate for Social Security and Medicare. The Social Security portion (OASDI) is 6.20% on earnings up to the applicable taxable maximum amount (see below). The Medicare portion (HI) is 1.46% on all earnings.

*Section 601 of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 reduced, for wages and salaries paid in calendar year 2011 and self-employment income in calendar year 2011, the OASDI payroll tax by 2 percentage points, applied to the portion of the tax paid by the worker and the self-employed individual.

Maximum Taxable Earnings:

Social Security (OASDI only)

2011: $106,800

2012: $110,110

Medicare (HI only) N o L i m i t

Quarter of Coverage:

Earnings needed to earn Social Security Credit

2011: $1,120

2012: $1,130

Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts:

Under full retirement age

2011: $14,160/yr. ($1,180/mo.)

2012: $14,640/yr. ($1,220/mo.)

NOTE: One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in earnings above the limit

The year an individual reaches full retirement age
2011: $37,680/yr. ($3,140/mo.)

2012: $38,880/yr. ($3,240/mo.)

NOTE: Applies only to earnings for months prior to attaining full retirement age. One dollar in benefits will be witheld for every $3 in earnings about the limit.

There is no limit on the earnings beginning the month an individual attains full retirement age.

Social Security Disability Thresholds:

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

Non-Blind

2011: $1,000/mo.

2012: $1,010/mo.

Blind

2011: $1,640/mo.

2012: $1,690/mo.

Trial Work Period (TWP)

2011: $720/mo.

2012: $720/mo.

Maximum Social Security Benefit: Worker Retiring at Full Retirement Age

2011: $2,366/mo.

2012: $2,513/mo.

SSI Federal Payment Standard

Individual
2011: $674/mo.

2012: $698/mo.

Couple
2011: $1,011/mo.

2012: $1,048/mo.

SSI Resources Limits

Individual

2011: $2,000

2012: $2,000

Couple

2011: $3,000

2012: $3,000

SSI Student Exclusion

Monthly Limit

2011: $1,640

2012: $1,700

Annual Limit

2011: $6,600

2012: $6,840

Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Payable in January 2012:
All Retired Workers

Before 3.6% COLA: $1,186

After 3.6% COLA: $1,229

Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits

Before 3.6% COLA: $1,925

After 3.6% COLA: $1,994

Widowed Mother and Two Children

Before 3.6% COLA: $2,455

After 3.6% COLA: $2,543

Aged Widow(er) Alone

Before 3.6% COLA: $1,143

After 3.6% COLA: $1,184

Disabled Worker, Spouse and One or More Children

Before 3.6% COLA: $1,826

After 3.6% COLA: $1,892

All Disabled Workers

Before 3.6% COLA: $1,072

After 3.6% COLA: $1,111

Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2012

NEWS RELEASE
Social Security

SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES 3.6 PERCENT BENEFIT INCREASE FOR 2012

COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT IS FIRST SINCE 2009

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration announced today.

The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries will receive in January 2012. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2011.

Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $110,100 from $106,800. Of the estimated 161 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2010, about 10 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.

Information about Medicare changes for 2012, when announced, will be available at www.Medicare.gov. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums.

The Social Security Act provides for how COLA is calculated. To read more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.

-Kristen Alberino

Metropolitan Public Affairs Specialist

Social Security Administration

Quincy, MA