Social Security disability and union retirees

Joe, cement mason, 52• 25 years on the job, still working

• Severe knee pain and lower back pain from constantly bending and crouching

• Afraid to see doctor, doesn’t want to get laid off but pain is becoming unbearable to work.

• Now it’s affecting other areas of his life.

• What are his options?

Rita, Teamster, 59• Trying to hold off until 62 so she can collect early

retirement

• Suffers from carpal tunnel, makes driving for long periods difficult as well as diabetes, which affects her feet and vision

• Cannot wait to collect retirement so she does not have to continue to work in pain or put others at risk

• Does she have to wait?

Dave, retired electrician, 61• Retired 4 years ago after 30 years as an

electrician

• Sees his doctor for chronic shoulder pain

• Relies on union’s Health and Welfare fund for healthcare and has been collecting his pension for 4 years

• Dave is leaving thousands of additional dollars on the table.

You’ve worked hard all your life• Physically demanding jobs

that have permanently affected your body

• Many have conditions that would qualify them for SSDI, but don’t apply for it.• Too many people do not fully

understand SSDI, or have negative preconceived notions about the program.

You’ve paid into the system• Of every paycheck you have

earned, 6.2% has gone into the Social Security trust fund for your retirement AND disability.

You’ve purchased 3 things• Social Security retirement plan

• Social Security disability insurance

• Medicare, Social Security medical planREMEMBER: You paid for a disability plan – it is NOT a government handout.

Who is eligible?By paying into Social Security, you have EARNED THE RIGHT to apply for SSDI.

• You have a medical condition(s) that prevents you from doing the job you have performed.

• You are receiving medical treatment for those conditions. • If not, it’s not too late to start right now!

• Planning to retire from your union in 2015

• Retired in the past 5 years

Common conditions• Back pain• Neck pain• Shoulder, hand

or knee issues• Headaches• Fatigue• Carpal tunnel

• Heart disease• Anxiety• Depression• Any joint issue• Cancer• Lupus• MS

Benefits of SSDI• $1500-2500 a month in SSDI

benefits• That’s $30,000 per year in

addition to your union pension

• Health insurance under Medicare within 24 months of your disability date

You don’t have to wait for early retirement• SSDI is available at any age

• Avoid being penalized by collecting Social Security retirement at 62, receiving a reduced rate and not being Medicare eligible.

SSDI benefits you and your union• After 24 months, you will receive Medicare.

• This may allow you to stop receiving your union-funded medical insurance and possibly reduce your union premium.

• Less of a strain on your union’s Health and Welfare Fund

Remember: If you have another source for medical insurance, it reduces the amount of money your union’s Health and Welfare Fund must spend. It may allow the fund to stay solvent and provide benefits for future generations of union members.

Joe, cement mason, 52• Applied for SSDI

• His union provides his pension early if he begins receiving SSDI

• Applies for union pension

Rita, Teamster, 59• She doesn’t have to wait for benefits

• Applied for SSDI

• Will receive more than early retirement

• 3 year head start on early retirement

Dave, retired electrician, 62

• Should have applied for SSDI as soon as he retired

• Not too late to apply – will apply now

• Will receive retroactive benefits and monthly checks