More fun with Social Security

Our speaker stocks the information table with goodies.

 

Last night at our April meeting, Francine Kollias, the regional Social Security Administration’s Metropolitan Public Affairs Specialist, gave us another entertaining presentation on Social Security, this time focusing on Medicare and Disability issues.   She explained the different parts of Medicare (A, B, C, and D), and told us that as of this summer, signing up for Medicare will be possible to do online.  And she answered a wide variety of questions.

She encouraged everyone to be aware of enrollment periods for Medicare, and to sign up as needed to avoid penalties.

Medicare issues can be complicated, so Francine also spoke about the SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) program, which provides Medicare and health insurance counseling services to elderly and disabled adults.  (A SHINE counselor is available at the Newton Senior Center on Wednesdays 1:00 – 3:00 to assist with health insurance questions.  Call 617-796-1660 for an appointment.)

Francine’s PowerPoint on Medicare can be seen in its entirety here, and her presentation on Social Security Disability programs here.  She also brought copies of several brochures:
Medicare
Working While Disabled–How We Can Help
Apply Online for Social Security Benefits

These and many other Social Security publications, as well other information, can be found online at the Social Security website.