Did you know … ?

by Mike Baksa, Social Security Administration
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 1:38 PM MST

Question: My wife and I run a bed and breakfast. This time every year we tire of all the paperwork involved with filing taxes. Is there an easier way for small businesses?

Answer: Absolutely. If you are a business owner, you should check out Social Security’s Business Services Online (BSO) Web site. There, you can file your employees’ W2s electronically and also print out the W2s to provide paper copies to your employees. You can also verify the Social Security numbers of your employees. Our online services are fast, secure and easy to use. Visit our BSO page at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso.

Question: I’m eligible for Medicare now, but I’m still covered under my husband’s insurance plan at his work. Can I wait until he retires in a couple years to enroll in Medicare without paying the higher premium?

Answer: Generally, people pay a penalty if they don’t apply for Medicare when they’re first eligible. But there are exceptions in cases like yours. You should go ahead and enroll in Medicare Part A. If you didn’t take Medicare Part B when you were first eligible because you or your spouse were working and had group health plan coverage through your or your spouse’s employer or union, you can sign up for Medicare Part B during a Special Enrollment Period. You can sign up anytime you are still covered by the employer or union group health plan through your or your spouse’s current or active employment, or during the eight months following the month the employer or union group health plan coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first). To learn more, visit www.medicare.gov.

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