"Full retirement age" ranges from 65 years exactly (for those born in 1937 or earlier) to 67 (for those born 1960 or later). Persons may elect to receive retirement benefits prior to "full retirement age," starting as early as age 62, but these will be less and may be subject to limitations based on earnings. The maximum social security benefit for an individual worker retiring at full retirement age in January 2007 (65 years and 10 months) was estimated at $2116 per month. The average monthly benefit for a retired worker was $1044; for a disabled worker, $979; for an elderly couple, both receiving benefits, $1713; and for a widowed mother with two children, $2167. Reductions still applied to those filling for (early) social security retirement benefits between age 62 (the legal minimum) and full retirement age. In 2007, for example, working persons who reach the age of 62 but are below full retirement age and have annual earnings above $12,960 lose a portion …show more content…
CMS also exercises federal responsibility for Medicaid, as well as for the State children 's health insurance program(SCHIP). Medicare benefits are divided into four parts. Part A consist of a basic hospital insurance plan covering inpatient hospital care, extended care home health services, and hospice care for terminally ill participants. is a voluntary medical insurance program covering physicians fees, outpatient services,and test and other medical services not covered in Part A. Part C,also known as Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Parts A and B, offering expanded private insurance coverage options for Medicare participants; these expanded options include health maintenance organizations and other coordinated-care plans (in which the patients choice is restricted to a particular plan physicians, specialist, and facilities) as well as on restricted fee-for-services plans.Part D is a voluntary program that provides subsidized access two prescriptions drug insurance coverage participants in plan D are covered either through standalone plans or Medicare Advantage program. Medicare cost are met by social security contributions, monthly premiums from participants, and general