Leo Rossler: Your Social Security

Today on Valentines Day, many people buy flowers, candy and cards for the ones they love — not just for sweethearts and spouses, but for children, parents and grandparents as well.

This Valentines Day, why not take an extra step to show someone you love how much you care?

Tell them about the Medicare prescription drug plan — and about the extra help they may be able to get through Social Security.

The high cost of prescription drugs can be a burden on older Americans with limited income. What better way to show you care than by showing them how to get extra help with their Medicare prescription drug costs?

Extra help — available through Social Security — can pay part of their monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. The extra help could be worth more than $3,600 per year.

To figure out whether they’re eligible, Social Security needs to know their income and the value of their savings, investments and real estate (other than the home they live in). To qualify for the extra help, your loved ones must be receiving Medicare and have:

· Income limited to $15,840 for an individual or $21,240 for a married couple living together. (These amounts will increase soon.) Even if their annual income is higher, your loved ones still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. For example, their income may be higher if they or their spouse:

Leo Rossler
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