Читать книгу Medicare For Dummies - Barry Patricia, Patricia Barry - Страница 84

What if your income went down for other reasons? For example, what if you lost investment income after being wiped out in a stock market crash? Social Security doesn’t count this occurrence as a life-changing event, even if it seems like one to you, so you can’t apply for a new determination. All you can do is file an amended tax return to the IRS and then, if that is accepted, submit it to Social Security as proof that your MAGI is now much lower.

One other situation is worth mentioning. If your income is reduced by fraud or other criminal activity — such as being duped in a Ponzi scheme — Social Security will consider a request to waive a premium surcharge. But you have to provide proof that fraud or a crime has been committed and show that the perpetrator has been convicted for it.

Finally, what if you simply can’t afford to pay the surcharge because of lost income but don’t qualify for a life-changing event waiver? In most cases, you just have to suck it up and pay the higher premium until your next tax return shows your true income. Still, Social Security says it will consider waiving the surcharge “if payment of the premiums would create severe financial hardship.” If that’s the case, call Social Security and request a waiver.