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By Jennifer Cooper Social Security Manager in Redding If you have a spouse who does not earn an income or who earns less than you do, your spouse (including a same-sex spouse) may be entitled to Social Security spous- es' benefits based on your record. Social Security can be an important financial asset for married couples when the time comes to apply for retirement ben- efits. In many cases, one spouse may have earned significantly more than the other, or may have worked longer. Or it could be that one spouse stayed home to do the work of raising the chil- dren, caring for elderly family members, or man- aging the household while the other focused on a career. Whatever your situa- tion, Social Security will look at all possibili- ties to make sure both spouses receive the max- imum Social Security benefits possible, whether based on each spouse's earnings record or the higher wage-earn- er's record. Your spouse can apply for benefits the same way that you apply for benefits on your own record. He or she can apply for reduced bene- fits as early as age 62, or for 100 percent of the full retirement benefits at "full retirement age." Not sure what the full retirement ages are? To learn your and your spouse's full retirement ages, based on birth year, visit www.socialsecuri- t y . g o v / p u b s / a g e i n - crease.htm. The benefit amount your spouse can receive at full retirement age can be as much as one half of your full benefit. If your spouse opts for early retirement, the benefit may be as little as a third of your full benefit amount. Note that bene- fits paid to your spouse do not decrease your benefit amount. If you have already reached full retirement age but continue to work, you can apply for retire- ment benefits and request to have the pay- ments suspended until as late as age 70. This would let you earn delayed retirement cred- its that will mean higher payments later, but still would allow your spouse to receive a spouse's benefit. People can also apply for spouse benefits based on the earnings record of an ex-spouse or deceased spouse if married for at least 10 years. Spouses can consider a number of options and variables. We make it easier to nav- igate them. A good place to start is by visiting our benefits planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/ planners. Take note of the "Benefits As A Spouse" section. If you are ready to apply for benefits, the fastest, easiest, and most convenient way is to apply online! You can do so at www.socialsecuri- ty.gov/applyonline and complete your applica- tion in as little as 15 min- utes. Due to a Supreme Court decision, we now are able to pay benefits to some same-sex couples. We encour- age people who think they may be eligible to apply now. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.g ov/same-sexcouples. Whether you receive benefits on a spouse's record or your own, rest assured we will make sure you get the highest benefit for which you qualify. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov. 8A Daily News – Tuesday, February 11, 2014 ORDER YOUR TICKETS AT: www.IMCconcerts.com or 800.965.9324 *Ticket sales by phone or internet may be subject to additional service fees. LOCAL TICKET OUTLETS: Bible Books and More Redding, CA 530.222.2944 Family Christian Stores Chico, CA 530.894.1650 First Church of God Red Bluff, CA 530.527.5717 20815 Dalby Ln. Red Bluff 527-5314 Where Excellence Meets Affordable No Appointment Necessary FREE Is Your Check Engine Light On? 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Call your Daily News Advertising Representive TODAY for details! Gayla Eckels: gelckels@redbluffdailynews.com (530) 527-2151 x 108 Suzy Noble: snoble@redbluffdailynews.com (530) 527-2151 x 103 N EWS D AILY RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 Online Survey Now Underway! Now through Tuesday, February 25 FOUR 2 col x 4" full color Display Print Ads in LOCAL BUSINESSES! Invite your customers to vote for your business as "Best Of" your category in Mercy High celebrates homecoming By ANDRE BYIK DN Staff Writer After Mercy High School's varsity girls basketball team defeat- ed the visiting Chester Volcanoes but before the varsity boys took the floor, the school's homecoming court com- manded the crowd's attention at half court Friday night. Mercy High's 2014 Homecoming Court included Tommy Gar- cia, Alejandro Guerrero, Brenten James, Giancar- lo Nandino, Jessica Curl, Michelle Jaramil- lo, Julia Misslin, Irlanda Hernandez and Breana Kemp. Jaramillo, grand- daughter of Norman and Carol Scott, was named homecoming queen. By her side was newly crowned homecoming king Nandino, son of Alfred and Monica Nandino. Jaramillo is a multi- sport athlete and current student council vice president at the school. She plans to major in psychology. Nandino has participated in musicals such as Les Miserables, Grease and Shrek, and has been senior class treasurer. He plans to serve in the military as a pilot, and then aspires to be an aeronautical engineer. Before the homecom- ing ceremony, the varsi- ty girls basketball team earned a big win against Chester, 54-24. The Lady Warriors (17-5) were led by Curl's 22 points and 21 rebounds. Marissa Star- man scored 18 points and tallied 10 rebounds. Cheyanne Johnson added eight points, Mahalee Gaumer scored four and Caitlyn Safford notched two. The varsity boys were less fortunate, falling to Chester 69-52 after giving up a big third quarter. The Warriors (7-15) started the first quarter slow but staged a scor- ing frenzy to finish the period down only 22-18. The scoring pace slowed in the second and the Volcanoes (18-4) went to the half up 35-27. Chester outscored Mercy 34-25 the rest of the way. The Warriors' Teddy Ranberg finished with 13 points, Adil Syed scored 10, Reid Gardner added nine, William Gentry notched seven, Tommy Garcia tallied six, Brandon Gorden had four and Alex Espinosa scored three. Daily News photo by Andre Byik The 2014 Mercy High School homecoming court, from back left, is Roberto Ayala, Tommy Garcia, Alejandro Guerrero, Brenten James, Giancarlo Nandino, Michelle Jaramillo, Jessica Curl, Julia Misslin, Irlanda Hernandez, and Breana Kemp. Jaramillo was named homecoming queen, and Nandino was named homecoming king. Your spouse may be covered by Social Security