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Question: With recycling in flux, are they still doing those community collection events?
Answer: Yes, and Going Green coordinator Rene Mansho says that nothing dropped off with them goes to the landfill; be sure to bring only items that the participating processors accept, however. They generally don’t take paper, as many readers have asked.
The next Going Green Community Recycling Cleanup event is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Mililani Mauka Elementary School, 95-1111 Makaikai St.
This drive-thru event will accept e-waste such as computers, monitors, printers, scanners; one TV per car; lead-acid batteries (car batteries); HI-5 plastic and aluminum beverage containers; used eyeglasses and hearing aids; usable clothing, prom dresses, women’s business apparel and accessories; blankets and towels for pets; and canned goods for the Hawaii Foodbank.
Q: Can a mobility parking permit from New Zealand be used in Hawaii?
A: Yes, a disability parking placard issued by another state or foreign country can be used in Hawaii as long as it has not expired, according to the state Disability and Communication Access Board.
Q: Will I pay more Social Security taxes if I leave my job to run my own shop?
A: You will pay a higher percentage of Social Security and Medicare taxes because you will no longer split the payment with an employer.
“If you work for an employer, you and your employer each pay a 6.2 percent Social Security tax on up to $132,900 of your earnings and a 1.45 percent Medicare tax on all earnings. If you’re self-employed, you pay the combined employee and employer amount, which is a 12.4 percent Social Security tax on up to $132,900 of your net earnings and a 2.9 percent Medicare tax on your entire net earnings. If your earned income is more than $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly), you must pay 0.9 percent more in Medicare taxes,” according to the Social Security Administration, which explains the rules at 808ne.ws/ssself.
Q: I can’t afford to retire anywhere close to 65. Do I still apply for Medicare?
A: Yes, you should apply for Medicare benefits three months before your 65th birthday, even though you don’t plan to retire or collect Social Security benefits. “If you wait longer, your Medicare medical insurance (Part B) and prescription drug coverage (Part D) may cost you more money,” according to the 2019 “Understanding Your Benefits” booklet published by the Social Security Administration.
Q: How long is it worth it to delay retirement, in terms of Social Security benefits?
A: That’s a personal decision that considers factors besides money. Social Security retirement benefits do rise if you delay collecting your benefits beyond full retirement age, which is now 66 or 67, depending on when you were born. However, that percentage increase halts when you reach age 70, even if you keep working and don’t take your benefits. In other words, your monthly Social Security benefit tops out when you begin collecting benefits or at age 70, whichever comes first.
The Social Security Administration emphasizes that it is important to consider life expectancy when you are figuring out when to retire; Social Security benefits are not meant to replace your full working salary. Life expectancy for the average man turning 65 today is 84.3, and 86.7 for a woman. “And those are just averages. About one out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90, and one out of 10 will live past age 95,” the agency says.
You can use the SSA calculator to predict your own life expectancy, based on gender and date of birth. Go to 808ne.ws/life.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
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