Maryland Senior Tax Credit: How to Save Up to $1,750 on Your State Taxes

If you’re 65 or older and live in Maryland, you may be eligible for a state tax credit worth up to $1,750 per year—whether or not you’re retired. The credit is based entirely on your age, residency, and income level. Combined with Maryland’s pension exclusion and full Social Security exemption, these three programs can reduce your state tax bill by 50–70% or more.

Yet many eligible Marylanders miss out because they assume “retirement tax credit” means you need to be retired, or because they don’t understand which benefits apply to which income sources. This guide explains exactly how all three programs work, who qualifies, and how to maximize your savings.

For a quick overview of how Maryland taxes each type of retirement income, see our Maryland retirement income tax guide.

What Are Maryland’s Three Tax Benefits for Seniors?

Maryland offers three separate tax benefits that can significantly reduce your state income tax. Each works differently, covers different income, and has different eligibility rules. Understanding the distinctions is essential to capturing the full value.

1. The Senior Tax Credit

This is a direct credit against your Maryland state income tax (not local tax), available to any Maryland resident who is 65 or older and meets income thresholds. You do not need to be retired or have any retirement income to qualify. The credit is purely age-based and income-tested.

The credit is nonrefundable—it reduces your state tax bill dollar-for-dollar, but you won’t receive a refund if the credit exceeds your tax liability.

2. The Pension Exclusion

This benefit excludes up to $41,200 of qualifying retirement income from Maryland taxation in 2025 (the 2026 exclusion amount has not been announced). It only applies to distributions from qualified employer retirement plans—401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457(b)s, and defined benefit pensions. IRA distributions of any kind do not qualify.

The maximum exclusion is reduced dollar-for-dollar by your Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits.

3. Social Security Exemption

Maryland does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level. This includes retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. No special form or calculation is required—Social Security simply isn’t included in your Maryland taxable income.

Important interaction: While Social Security itself isn’t taxed, the amount you receive reduces your pension exclusion dollar-for-dollar. So higher Social Security means less pension exclusion available.

Who Qualifies for the Maryland Senior Tax Credit?

Eligibility requires meeting three conditions—and nothing more:

• Age: You must be 65 or older by December 31 of the tax year.
• Residency: You must be a Maryland resident for the tax year—either full-year or part-year—and part-year residents are eligible without prorating the credit amount.
• Income: Your Federal Adjusted Gross Income (FAGI) must be below $100,000 (single or married filing separately) or $150,000 (married filing jointly, head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse).

That’s it. There are no restrictions on whether you’re retired, what type of income you have, or how long you’ve lived in Maryland. Your FAGI could come entirely from employment, investments, rental properties, or any other source. If you’re 67, still working full-time and earning $85,000, you qualify.

The income limits are hard cutoffs. If your FAGI is $100,001 as a single filer or $150,001 filing jointly, you receive nothing. This creates important planning opportunities around managing your FAGI, discussed in the strategy section below.

How Much Is the Credit Worth?

Filing Status	Credit Amount
Single filer or married filing jointly (only one spouse 65+)	$1,000
Married filing jointly (both spouses 65+), head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse	$1,750

Real-World Example: How the Senior Credit Works

Maria, 68, and John, 67, file jointly with a combined FAGI of $135,000. Their income:

• John’s part-time consulting: $45,000
• Maria’s pension: $35,000
• Investment dividends and interest: $25,000
• Social Security (taxable portion at the federal level): $30,000

They owe $2,800 in Maryland state income tax. The $1,750 credit reduces their actual state tax bill to $1,050—a 62% reduction.

If their state tax bill were only $1,400, they’d pay zero but wouldn’t receive the extra $350 as a refund because the credit is nonrefundable.

How Do You Claim the Senior Tax Credit?

You claim the credit on Maryland Form 502CR, Part M. The credit amount carries to Part AA, Line 13, and flows to Line 32 of your main Maryland return (Form 502, or the equivalent line on Forms 504, 505, or 515). Most tax preparation software calculates this automatically if your age and income are entered correctly—but verify that Line 32 shows the appropriate amount.

What Is the 7.5% Revenue Safeguard?

If Maryland’s September General Fund estimate falls more than 7.5% below the March estimate for the current fiscal year, the credit amount may be reduced. The Comptroller monitors this safeguard.

How Does the Maryland Pension Exclusion Work?

The pension exclusion lets eligible Maryland taxpayers exclude up to $41,200 (2025) of qualifying retirement income from state taxation. Unlike the senior tax credit, the pension exclusion is entirely about which accounts your income comes from and how much Social Security you receive.

Who Qualifies for the Pension Exclusion?

On the last day of the tax year, you must meet at least one of these conditions:

• You are 65 or older
• You are totally disabled
• Your spouse is totally disabled (regardless of your age)

Key difference from the senior credit: The pension exclusion has no income limit. A couple earning $250,000 can still use the pension exclusion (subject to the Social Security offset), even though they wouldn’t qualify for the senior credit.

Which Retirement Accounts Qualify—and Which Don’t?

This is the single most expensive planning mistake we see. The exclusion applies only to distributions from qualified employer plans under IRC §401(a), §403, or §457(b):

• Defined benefit pension plans
• 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) distributions
• 401(a) plan distributions
• Government employee retirement plans (federal, state, local)

The exclusion does NOT apply to:

• Traditional IRA distributions (including rollover IRAs)
• SEP-IRA and SIMPLE IRA distributions
• Roth IRA distributions
• Keogh plans or ineligible deferred compensation plans

The costly rollover mistake: Rolling a 401(k) into a traditional IRA for consolidation eliminates eligibility for the pension exclusion. At Maryland’s 5.75% rate (the top rate for most retirees), losing the full $41,200 exclusion costs roughly $2,369 per year—or over $47,000 across a 20-year retirement. The actual cost depends on how much the Social Security offset has already reduced your exclusion.

Note on tax rates: Maryland’s top state rate was 5.75% through 2024. Effective for TY2025, two new brackets were added: 6.25% (income over $500,001/$600,001 joint) and 6.50% (income over $1,000,001/$1,200,001 joint). For typical retirees, 5.75% remains the relevant rate. All calculations in this article use 5.75%.

How Does the Social Security Offset Reduce the Pension Exclusion?

The $41,200 maximum pension exclusion is reduced dollar-for-dollar by your total Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits—including amounts not included in federal AGI. This means that retirees with Social Security benefits above $41,200 have no pension exclusion available.

You calculate your actual exclusion using the Pension Exclusion Computation Worksheet (13A):

• Start with the maximum exclusion ($41,200 for 2025)
• Subtract your total Social Security/Railroad Retirement benefits
• The result is your tentative exclusion
• Your actual exclusion is the lesser of: your qualifying pension income, or your tentative exclusion

Pension Exclusion Calculation Examples

Margaret, age 68:

• $38,000 in Social Security benefits
• $50,000 in 401(k) distributions
• Maximum exclusion: $41,200 – $38,000 SS = $3,200 tentative exclusion
• Actual exclusion: $3,200 (lesser of $50,000 qualifying income or $3,200)
• Result: $46,800 of her 401(k) income is taxable in Maryland

Robert, age 69:

• $20,000 in Social Security benefits
• $55,000 in 401(k) distributions
• Maximum exclusion: $41,200 – $20,000 SS = $21,200 tentative exclusion
• Actual exclusion: $21,200 (lesser of $55,000 or $21,200)
• Result: $33,800 of his 401(k) income is taxable

Key insight: Once Social Security benefits exceed $ 40,000, the pension exclusion is effectively eliminated. But the senior tax credit remains fully available regardless of Social Security—as long as your FAGI stays below the threshold.

How Do You Claim the Pension Exclusion?

Claim the pension exclusion on Maryland Form 502, Line 10a (or equivalent line on Forms 504, 505, or 515). Steps:

• Complete Pension Exclusion Computation Worksheet 13A (in the Maryland tax instruction booklet)
• Enter the calculated exclusion amount on Form 502, Line 10a
• Keep the worksheet with your tax records

Most tax preparation software calculates this if you correctly identify which accounts your income comes from and enter your Social Security benefits. Verify that Line 10a shows the correct amount.

How Is Social Security Taxed in Maryland?

It isn’t. Social Security benefits—including retirement, disability, survivor, and Railroad Retirement benefits—are completely exempt from Maryland state income tax. This requires no special forms or calculations; Social Security simply isn’t included in Maryland taxable income.

While your Social Security may still be subject to federal income tax depending on your combined income, Maryland’s exemption provides meaningful savings. For a couple receiving $40,000 in Social Security annually, this exemption saves roughly $2,300 per year in state taxes.

However, as discussed above, your Social Security benefits do reduce the pension exclusion dollar-for-dollar. So while Social Security itself isn’t taxed in Maryland, it affects how much other retirement income you can shelter through the pension exclusion.

How Do These Three Benefits Work Together?

The three benefits apply in a specific order:

• First: Social Security is excluded from your Maryland income entirely (no state tax).
• Second: The pension exclusion reduces your taxable retirement income from qualifying plans (offset by Social Security).
• Third: The senior credit reduces whatever state tax remains (if you meet age and FAGI requirements).

Comprehensive Example: Richard, Age 67, Single

Scenario A – Higher income ($107,750 FAGI):

Income: $35,000 Social Security, $50,000 from 401(k), $20,000 from traditional IRA, $8,000 consulting.

• Social Security: $0 Maryland tax (fully exempt)
• Pension exclusion: $41,200 – $35,000 = $6,200 (applied to 401(k) only; IRA doesn’t qualify)
• 401(k) taxable in MD: $43,800 ($50,000 – $6,200)
• IRA taxable in MD: $20,000 (no exclusion available)
• Consulting taxable: $8,000
• Maryland taxable income from these sources: $71,800
• Senior credit: Does NOT qualify (FAGI exceeds $100,000 threshold)
• Approximate state tax: ~$2,400, paid in full with no credit

Scenario B – Lower income ($88,000 FAGI):

Same sources, lower amounts: $28,000 Social Security, $40,000 from 401(k), $15,000 from IRA, $5,000 consulting.

• Social Security: $0 Maryland tax
• Pension exclusion: $41,200 – $28,000 = $13,200 (applied to 401(k))
• 401(k) taxable: $26,800 ($40,000 – $13,200)
• IRA taxable: $15,000
• Consulting taxable: $5,000
• Maryland taxable income: ~$46,800
• State tax after deductions: ~$1,400
• Senior credit: $1,000 (single, under $100,000 FAGI)
• Final state tax bill: $400—a 71% reduction

Richard would qualify for the senior credit even with zero retirement income. The $5,000 in consulting income doesn’t disqualify him—it just counts toward his FAGI total.

How Can You Maximize All Three Benefits?

The real opportunity lies in understanding how account structure, income timing, and withdrawal sources interact with these three programs.

Strategy 1: Preserve Access to the Pension Exclusion by Keeping Assets in Qualified Plans

This is the most important decision affecting the pension exclusion.

If you’re still working and have a 401(k) or 403(b), consider keeping it with your employer (if allowed) or rolling to a new employer’s plan. Avoid rolling it into an IRA if you want to preserve your eligibility for the pension exclusion. Many employer plans allow you to keep your account indefinitely after retirement.

If you’ve already rolled over to an IRA, understand the annual cost of lost pension exclusion. At maximum, it’s worth ~$2,369 annually in state taxes ($41,200 × 5.75%). In practice, with the Social Security offset, it’s often $500–$1,500 annually for most retirees. Consider whether a reverse rollover back into a 401(k) makes sense (some plans allow this).

Real-world decision tree: Sarah, age 58, leaving her employer with $600,000 in her 401(k).

Factors favoring IRA rollover:

• She wants access to specific investment strategies not available in the 401(k)
• She expects retirement income to exceed $150,000 FAGI (so no senior credit anyway)
• Her Social Security will be $42,000+ (eliminating the pension exclusion via the offset)
• The 401(k) has high fees or very limited investment options

Factors favoring keeping it in the 401(k):

• She expects retirement income under $150,000 FAGI (qualifies for both benefits)
• Her Social Security will be under $30,000 (leaving meaningful pension exclusion available)
• The 401(k) has reasonable fees and adequate investment options
• She values the potential $1,000–$2,000 annual pension exclusion benefit

This decision can easily swing $20,000–$50,000 in lifetime state taxes.

Strategy 2: Manage Your FAGI to Stay Under the Senior Credit Threshold

Since the senior credit is based purely on FAGI limits, strategic planning around what counts as income becomes critical if you’re near the threshold.

What increases your FAGI (potentially disqualifying you from the senior credit):

• Traditional IRA and 401(k)/pension distributions
• Capital gains from selling investments
• Dividends and interest income
• Rental property and business income
• Part-time employment income
• Taxable portion of Social Security (at the federal level)

What doesn’t increase FAGI:

• Qualified Roth IRA distributions (tax-free withdrawals)
• Return of basis from non-qualified annuities
• Municipal bond interest
• Loans against home equity or life insurance
• Gifts or inheritances

Planning opportunity: If you’re hovering around $95,000 FAGI (single) or $145,000 (joint), consider:

• Using Roth IRA distributions instead of traditional IRA withdrawals
• Delaying the sale of appreciated stock to next year
• Using qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from your IRA to satisfy RMDs without increasing FAGI
• Deferring consulting income or bonuses if you’re still working part-time
• Timing required minimum distributions strategically
• Harvesting capital losses to offset gains

Example: Tom and Linda, both 66, FAGI of $145,000. Tom receives a $15,000 consulting opportunity in December.

Option A – Accept the income in December: FAGI rises to $160,000. They lose the entire $1,750 credit. Net cost: $1,750 in lost credit plus taxes on the $15,000.

Option B – Defer the project to January: FAGI stays at $145,000 for the current year. They keep the $1,750 credit this year. Next year’s FAGI will be $160,000 (no credit then), but they’ve preserved one year of the benefit.

Option C – Accept the work but adjust other income: Take $15,000 less from the traditional IRA this year, using Roth IRA withdrawals or existing cash instead. FAGI stays at $145,000. They keep the $1,750 credit. Take the deferred IRA distribution next year when the consulting income isn’t there.

Strategy 3: Time Large Withdrawals Carefully

If you need a large one-time distribution—for a home renovation, helping a child with a down payment, or medical expenses—timing and source matter for the senior credit.

Example: Susan and Tom, both 66, typically $120,000 FAGI. They need $60,000 for a home renovation.

Option A – Take $60,000 from the traditional IRA this year: FAGI jumps to $180,000. They lose the $1,750 credit.

Option B – Split across two years: $30,000 this year, $30,000 next year. FAGI stays at $150,000 both years (right at the threshold). They keep the $1,750 credit both years. Savings: $3,500 in credits over two years.

Option C – Take from Roth IRA: FAGI stays at $120,000. Credit preserved. Roth withdrawal is tax-free at both state and federal levels. Maximum tax savings.

Option D – Use a home equity line of credit: FAGI stays at $120,000. Credit preserved. Interest may be deductible for home improvements. Repay the loan from taxable or Roth accounts over time.

Strategy 4: Coordinate Roth Conversions with the Senior Credit

Counterintuitively, the best years for Roth conversions may be when you’re already above the FAGI threshold and not receiving the senior credit anyway. Converting in those years doesn’t cost you a benefit you’d otherwise have, and it reduces future RMDs that could push you over the threshold in later years.

Ideal Roth conversion windows:

• Before age 65 (before you qualify for the senior credit)
• Years when income is temporarily high (pushing you over $150,000 anyway)
• After Social Security starts (if it pushes you over the threshold)
• Early retirement years before RMDs begin

This is especially valuable if you expect income to fluctuate year-to-year between high and low tax years.

Strategy 5: Coordinate with Medicare IRMAA Planning

Many strategies that help you stay under the senior credit threshold also help you avoid Medicare IRMAA surcharges. For 2026, IRMAA surcharges begin at $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (joint).

A couple with $155,000 FAGI could lose both the $1,750 senior credit (over $150,000) and trigger the first IRMAA bracket—adding roughly $1,500–$2,000 in annual Medicare premiums. Strategic planning around the $150,000 threshold can save $3,000–$4,000 annually when you consider both state taxes and Medicare premiums.

Which Benefits Matter Most for Your Situation?

Not everyone benefits equally from all three programs. This table summarizes where to focus your planning effort:

Profile	Senior Credit?	Pension Excl?	SS Exempt?	Planning Priority
High income (>$150K), qualified plans	No	Partial (SS offset)	Yes	Keep assets in qualified plans
Moderate income, mixed accounts	Yes	Partial	Yes	FAGI management + account structure
Lower income, mostly IRAs	Yes	No (IRAs excluded)	Yes	FAGI management only
Still working, no retirement income	Yes	N/A	N/A	Track FAGI; plan future account positioning
High SS ($40K+)	If under FAGI limit	Eliminated by offset	Yes	FAGI mgmt; IRA/401k irrelevant for MD tax

What Changed in Maryland’s 2025 Tax Law?

The Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025 made several changes that affect retirement planning in Maryland:

• Two new state income tax brackets: 6.25% on income above $500,001 ($600,001 joint), and 6.50% on income above $1,000,001 ($1,200,001 joint). Most retirees remain in the 5.75% top bracket.
• 2% capital gains surtax: Applies to taxpayers with FAGI above $350,000 who have capital gains. This adds another reason to manage FAGI carefully in years when you’re selling appreciated assets.
• Increased standard deduction: The standard deduction was increased and is now indexed to cost-of-living adjustments, with the income-based phase-in eliminated.
• Itemized deduction phase-out: Taxpayers with FAGI above $200,000 must reduce itemized deductions by 7.5% of FAGI over $200,000.

These changes don’t directly affect the senior credit or pension exclusion, but they alter the broader tax landscape for Maryland retirees, particularly those managing capital gains or evaluating standard vs. itemized deductions.

What Mistakes Cost Maryland Seniors the Most Money?

Based on our work with hundreds of Maryland retirees, these are the patterns that most frequently lead to missed savings:

1. Assuming the Senior Credit Requires Retirement

Many people see “retirement tax credit” and assume they need to be retired. Not true. If you’re 67 and working part-time with $85,000 in income, you qualify. We regularly meet people who missed this credit for 3–5 years.

2. Rolling 401(k)s to IRAs Without Evaluating the State Tax Cost

Consolidating into an IRA eliminates pension exclusion eligibility. The annual cost depends on your Social Security amount:

• If SS is above $42,000: the pension exclusion was already eliminated anyway via the offset
• If SS is $15,000: the exclusion could be worth $26,200 × 5.75% = ~$1,506/year
• Over 20 years, that’s $30,000+ in lost state tax savings

The senior credit still applies to IRA distributions (as long as FAGI stays below the threshold), but the pension exclusion does not.

3. Not Tracking FAGI Until Tax Filing

By April, it’s too late to adjust. Many people don’t realize they crossed the $100,000 or $150,000 threshold until they file. Consider a mid-year tax projection around July or August to identify whether you’re near the threshold while you still have time to manage income sources.

4. Taking Large One-Time Distributions Without Planning

A $50,000 distribution for a car or home project that pushes you from $140,000 to $190,000 FAGI costs you the full $1,750 credit. Alternatives: spread the withdrawal over two years, use Roth IRA funds, use a home equity line of credit, or delay the purchase.

5. Confusing Which Benefit Applies to Which Account

Common misconceptions we encounter regularly:

• “IRA distributions qualify for the pension exclusion” — they don’t
• “The senior credit requires retirement income” — it doesn’t
• “Social Security reduces the senior credit” — it doesn’t (though it reduces the pension exclusion)
• “You can’t get both benefits in the same year” — you can, if you qualify for each

6. Not Claiming the Benefits on the Maryland Return

Both the credit and exclusion require specific lines on your Maryland return. If your tax preparer isn’t familiar with these provisions, you might be missing benefits. Check your Form 502:

• Line 10a: Pension exclusion subtraction
• Line 32: Senior tax credit (from Form 502CR, Part M)

If these lines are blank and you think you qualify, benefits may have been missed. You can amend Maryland returns for up to three years.

7. Not Understanding the Social Security Offset

Many retirees are surprised to learn that $40,000+ in Social Security completely eliminates the $41,200 pension exclusion. If your Social Security is high enough to eliminate the pension exclusion, the 401(k) vs. IRA decision doesn’t matter for Maryland state taxes (though it may still matter for federal tax planning and creditor protection).

8. Assuming They Don’t Qualify Because of Their Income Source

“I’m still working part-time, so I don’t qualify.” “I only have IRA income, so none of these apply.” “My Social Security is too high, so no tax breaks.” All three are false:

• Working seniors qualify for the senior credit (if under the FAGI limit)
• IRA income counts for the senior credit (just not the pension exclusion)
• High Social Security eliminates the pension exclusion but doesn’t affect the senior credit

Three Key Questions Every Maryland Senior Should Answer

Question 1: Am I Managing My FAGI to Stay Under the Credit Threshold?

If your natural income puts you at $95,000–$105,000 (single) or $140,000–$160,000 (joint), small adjustments can preserve a $1,000–$1,750 annual credit. Strategies include drawing from Roth accounts in certain years, using QCDs to satisfy RMDs, timing capital gains and consulting income, and accelerating or delaying income between tax years.

Even if you’re well over the threshold now, consider whether you’ll be under it in future years when you stop working or income naturally declines. Planning ahead for those years can maximize lifetime benefits.

Question 2: Should I Keep My 401(k) or Roll It to an IRA?

Conventional wisdom says consolidate into an IRA for simplicity and flexibility. But in Maryland, that decision could cost you pension exclusion benefits. Use this framework:

• If Social Security will be $40,000+: Pension exclusion is already mostly eliminated. IRA vs. 401(k) doesn’t matter much for Maryland taxes. Decide based on investment options, fees, and federal considerations.
• If Social Security will be under $30,000: Meaningful exclusion available ($11,200–$41,200), worth $644–$2,369/year. Strongly consider keeping assets in qualified plans if fees and options are reasonable.
• If FAGI will be over $150,000: No senior credit regardless. Focus on pension exclusion benefit only. Decision depends on Social Security offset.

Question 3: When Should I Do Roth Conversions?

Counterintuitively, the best years for Roth conversions may be when you’re already over the FAGI threshold. Converting in those years doesn’t cost you state benefits, and it reduces future RMDs.

Ideal windows: before age 65, years with temporarily high income, after Social Security starts if it pushes you over $150,000, and early retirement years before RMDs begin.

What Should You Do Next?

Step 1: Calculate Your Projected FAGI

Make a list of expected income from all sources: employment, Social Security (taxable portion), retirement distributions, investment income, rental income, other. Compare to the $100,000/$150,000 thresholds.

• Under $90,000 (single) or $140,000 (joint): You’re comfortably under—focus on other planning.
• $90,000–$105,000 (single) or $140,000–$155,000 (joint): Near the threshold—income management strategies could be valuable.
• Over $110,000 (single) or $160,000 (joint): You won’t qualify for the senior credit—focus on the pension exclusion.

Step 2: Audit Your Retirement Account Structure

List accounts by type: qualified employer plans (401(k), 403(b), 457(b), pension) vs. IRAs (Traditional, SEP, SIMPLE, Roth). Estimate your Social Security:

• If $40,000+: Pension exclusion mostly eliminated regardless of account structure
• If $20,000–$40,000: Partial exclusion available ($1,200–$21,200)
• If under $20,000: Strong exclusion available ($21,200–$41,200)

Step 3: Review Your Most Recent Maryland Tax Return

Check your latest Form 502:

• Line 10a: Are you claiming the pension exclusion properly?
• Line 32: Did you claim the senior tax credit?

If you’re 65+, a Maryland resident, and had FAGI under the threshold, Line 32 should show $1,000 or $1,750. If it’s blank, you may have missed the benefit.

Consider filing amended returns: You can amend Maryland returns for up to 3 years. If you missed these benefits in prior years, you may be able to claim them retroactively.

Work With a Maryland Retirement Tax Planning Specialist

Maryland’s tax benefits for seniors are generous, but maximizing them requires understanding how state tax rules, federal tax planning, Social Security timing, and Medicare IRMAA management interact.

The families we work with appreciate having someone who can see the whole picture—not just prepare a tax return in April, but help structure accounts and income throughout the year to minimize lifetime taxes.

In a brief introductory call, we can:

• Verify whether you’re claiming both the senior credit and pension exclusion properly
• Calculate how the Social Security offset affects your pension exclusion
• Identify account structure issues that might be costing you money
• Discuss strategies for managing your FAGI if you’re near the threshold
• Show how Maryland tax planning fits into your broader retirement income strategy

Schedule an introductory call here to discuss your Maryland tax situation. There’s no pressure or obligation—just a straightforward conversation about whether these benefits apply to you and how to maximize them.