Blog

How to optimize your Social Security Benefits as a Married Couple

By Ken Marks | January 22, 2014 |

The popular opinion about Social Security is to wait if possible before beginning to collect. However, some couples might benefit from a “split strategy”. This means that one couple claims a payout at age 62, while the other one waits if possible before collecting. The size of your benefit increases 8% with each year you…

Why Low-Income Americans Should Be Allowed To Opt Out Of Social Security

By Ken Marks | January 16, 2014 |

“Race and Retirement Insecurity in the United States”, a new study published by the National Institute on Retirement Security, shows a morose picture of the retirement savings of minority American families. The mean amount of retirement savings held by black households is $20,132 and $17,600 by Latino household, which are paltry when compared to the…

Are Social Security and Medicare “Entitlements”

By Ken Marks | January 13, 2014 |

The word “Entitlements” has recently come under a lot of scrutiny. The New York Times recently ran a great piece examining two different opinions on the word. Judith Abrams, a New York City reader, expressed her concern over The Time’s use of “Entitlements” to describe Social Security and Medicare. She believes that Social Security is…

Get the Best Social Security Benefits Assistance

By Ken Marks | January 10, 2014 |

People who are denied Social Security Disability benefits need help.  The arduous process to get the benefits that you are entitled to requires assistance from a professional.  The Kenneth G. Marks Law Firm specializes in Social Security Law, and can help you get your benefits. Generally, once denied benefits, people usually appeal to one of…

Democrats Clash Over Social Security Benefits

By Ken Marks | January 8, 2014 |

Third Way, a centrist, democratic think tank has recently come under a lot of heat for their stance on Social Security. Surprisingly enough, the pressure isn’t coming from the Republicans, but from fellow democratic organizations such as Social Security Works and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. Although Third Way and the groups protesting are all…

Panera Continues to Support Hoag Foundation with $25,000 Donation

By Ken Marks | January 6, 2014 |

For the second year in a row, Panera Bread has helped raise money or the Hoag Hospital Foundation. The restaurant and bakery chain donated $25,000 in support of the Mary and Dick Allen Diabetes Center, with the help of a dozen Orange County Panera location participating in the fundraiser. The Allen Diabetes Center, which is…

Gay and Lesbian Couples Eligible for Social Security Benefits

By Ken Marks | January 2, 2014 |

The Social Security Administration announced on December 16th, 2013, that married gay and lesbian Americans, whose same-sex spouses had recently died, are now eligible to collect social security survivor benefits. According to acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin, Social Security had begun processing claims of surviving members of same-sex marriages and paying out benefits wherever they…

10 Things You Need to Help You Navigate California’s Health Insurance Exchange

By Ken Marks | December 30, 2013 |

Many question are arising around Covered California’s health insurance exchange, especially ones about income and household size. Here are 10 FAQs and answers pertaining to the application process for Obamacare Health Insurance. 1. What should you include on your reported income? The income you report for the Affordable Act insurance will, in most cases, mirror…

Senator’s Crusade To Wake Up America With Retirement Debate

By Ken Marks | December 23, 2013 |

Democratic Senator Tom Harkin isn’t retiring his crusade to wake Americans up when it comes to the touchy subject of retirement.  In a proposal to call out fear-mongers for their role in blaming the national debt on Social Security, he is urging Washington to realize how much retirement is in major crisis. The national debt…

Don’t Get Stuck Paying For Missing Broken Bones

By Ken Marks | December 19, 2013 |

If you don’t want to be paying someone else’s medical bills for the bones they broke after a ski trip gone bad, it’s best to make sure you follow certain precautions regarding medical identity fraud. The California Department of Justice Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit created a set of five basic rules to ensure you…