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You’re Not Being Cheated by Social Security

You’re Not Being Cheated by Social Security
In many cases, people who believe they're being cheated out of certain benefits are simply misunderstanding a part of Social Security law. Fei Meng
Tom Margenau
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I guess there just must be something about the human psyche that makes so many people feel they’re being cheated out of something that everyone else gets. And if my emails are any indication, that’s especially true when it comes to older adults and Social Security. So many of them seem to be convinced that the big, bad government is keeping them from getting some kind of Social Security benefit that everyone else qualifies for. And they are almost always wrong.

Here are some examples from just this week’s email inbox.

Tom Margenau
Tom Margenau
Author
Tom Margenau worked for 32 years in a variety of positions for the Social Security Administration before retiring in 2005. He has served as the director of SSA’s public information office, the chief editor of more than 100 SSA publications, a deputy press officer and spokesman, and a speechwriter for the commissioner of Social Security. For 12 years, he also wrote Social Security columns for local newspapers, and recently published the book “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” If you have a Social Security question, contact him at [email protected]
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