Thank Rich.
That's begnning to clear things up for me. Not that I like the answers, though. However, that's a whole other topic.
. . . and NorthCarolinative, I'm asking because I thought this woud be a good resource and I think it's appropriate for the forum. Otherwise, I've already experienced the level of competance at the Soc Sec Office. You wait in long lines and then fail to get the full answer from someone who wasn't hired based on their abilities and competance.
That's my experience.
I'm not quite at the point where I would file for soc sec, anyway. I'm planning for the future, as I have done throughout my life . . . until someone decides to change the rules after the game has already started, again.
In the meantime, I wouldnt doubt the answers would help other people, too.
Again, thanks Rich.