Understanding Social Security
As you are probably aware, our country’s Social Security program is pretty comprehensive and actually quite complex. In fact, in 2014 testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on Social Security, Laurence J. Kotlikoff (Professor of Economics, Boston University and President, Economic Security Planning, Inc.) reported that “Social Security’s Handbook has 2,728 rules and its Program Operating Manual has tens of thousands of rules to explain these rules.” Given that level of complexity, it becomes a Herculean task for anyone to develop a clear picture of how the program affects them individually.
But don’t despair! Help is available, especially in terms of understanding the basics. For example, in an article titled “10 Things You Must Know About Social Security,” the staff at Kiplingers outlines the essential rules that everyone should know. (Check their post out here.)
And beyond that, anyone having specific questions about how these rules may apply specifically to their situation is encouraged to contact the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory service. This service is available to the general public free of charge; see the page on this website learn more about this program.