CSS Social Security & Medicare Benefits 2

Question 1

A surviving spouse is eligible to receive Social Security survivor benefits as early as what age?

Accepted Answer

60

Answer

A surviving spouse can begin receiving survivor benefits as early as age 60 (50 if disabled), though benefits are reduced before reaching full retirement age.

Question 2

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans must cover at minimum:

Accepted Answer

All services covered under original Medicare Parts A and B

Answer

Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to provide all benefits covered under original Medicare Parts A and B, plus they often include additional benefits.

Question 3

What is the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for most beneficiaries?

Accepted Answer

A 7-month window centered on the month of turning 65

Answer

The IEP is a 7-month window: 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after the month you turn 65.

Question 4

What penalty applies for late enrollment in Medicare Part B if no creditable coverage exists?

Accepted Answer

10% per 12-month period permanently added to the premium

Answer

The Part B late enrollment penalty is a permanent 10% premium increase for each full 12-month period that a beneficiary was eligible but did not enroll.

Question 5

A 'File and Suspend' Social Security strategy was largely eliminated in 2016. What did it allow?

Accepted Answer

One spouse to file for benefits and immediately suspend, while the other collected spousal benefits and both earned delayed credits

Answer

File and Suspend allowed one spouse to file and immediately suspend so the other could claim spousal benefits while both continued to earn delayed retirement credits.

(CSS) Certified Senior Specialist Practice Test

(CSS) Certified Senior Specialist Practice Test

CSS Social Security & Medicare Benefits 2