Ask the Experts
By Carole Fleck
April 2008
The "Ask the Experts" column (originally published in the AARP Bulletin) offers answers to important topics of concern to older Americans. (Note: Recent news or changes in current laws may impact the information previously published in this column.)
| Q. |
I'm married to a U.S. citizen and have a green card. We plan to retire in England where my children live. Will my Social Security check be sent to me there? |
| A. |
Yes, if you qualify. Legal immigrants who've worked for 10 years in the United States are eligible to receive their Social Security retirement benefit if they are residents of certain countries, including the United Kingdom. Check out the publication "Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States," or call 1-800-772-1213 to request a free copy. |
—Expertise provided by the Social Security Administration
| Q. |
I've heard that people who signed up on the National Do Not Call Registry get dropped after five years. Is this true? |
| A. |
Good timing! The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that it won't drop any phone numbers from the Do Not Call Registry because of the five-year limit, pending further congressional action on whether to make the registration permanent. So, for now, consumers who signed up in June 2003, when the registry started, don't have to worry about registering again to stay on the list. |
| Q. |
Now that I am 65, can I receive my monthly pension payments from my previous employer even though I am employed full time with another company? |
| A. |
Yes. At 65, you have the right to collect that pension, assuming that your previous employer allows such payments. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows, but does not require, companies to pay pension benefits to current and former employees. Before the act went into effect, workers under age 65 generally had to change jobs in order to begin collecting a pension. The change in the law was intended to make it easier for workers to remain with their employer and eventually phase into retirement. Check with your human resources department to see what your plan allows. |
—Expertise provided by AARP Public Policy
Originally published in the December 2007 issue of AARP Bulletin.
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