Headlines
Bipartisan Retirement Bill Moving Through Process
Laura Weiss of Roll Call gives a synopsis of a retirement bill that seems likely to become law this year. She notes that legislation of this nature has a history of broad bipartisan backing, as long as Social Security remains…
Time is too Short to Pander on Social Security’s Problems
Each Congress sees the spectacle of Social Security bills being introduced, mostly by Democrats, promising higher benefits, whether in the form of cost of living adjustments, one-time payments, or permanent minimum benefit increases. The problem with nearly all, which are…
What’s the Social Security Bridge Strategy?
I confess I hadn’t heard the term “bridge strategy” before today and thus was intrigued by this on-line piece. The term describes the practice where, instead of collecting Social Security before your full retirement age (FRA) or later, the person…
Maximizing Social Security – A Strategy
Russ Wiles of USA Today explores the idea that employers, who already assist employees with 401k plans, might better manage withdrawals, with an eye toward maximizing Social Security benefits. He cites a recent study by the Center for Retirement Research at…
Worrying Trend, but Solution at Hand for Social Security
Georgina Tzanetos raises a serious concern about the health of Social Security. For the first time since 1982, Social Security’s investments have actually lost more than they have brought in. It’s a short piece that can be accessed here, but a…
Should You Delay Claiming Social Security?
It’s a question we hear daily from those contemplating their Social Security benefits, and the answer is always “it depends.” It depends on how urgently you need the money, as well as your health and life expectancy. You actually have…
Taxation of Social Security Benefits
Many Social Security beneficiaries are surprised to find that their benefits may be subject to federal income tax. This isn’t really new news because taxation of Social Security benefits actually started with rule changes enacted by Congress in 1983 and…
Social Security Reform: Back on the Table?
Social Security reform is, as many Americans know, something Congress must address soon to prevent an across-the-board cut in benefits for all recipients in slightly more than a decade. The latest forecast from the Congressional Budget Office is that Social…
Social Security’s Financial Woes
The year 2021 was a milestone year for Social Security. Something that hasn’t happened for nearly 4 decades once again occurred in 2021 – Social Security took in less money than it paid out. The numbers by themselves may not…
Washington’s Birthday, or “President’s Day”?
Is the holiday Americans celebrate today called “Washington’s Birthday” or “Presidents Day?” Although, especially in recent years, “Presidents Day” seems to have become the most common way this day is referred to, reality is that this special commemorative day officially…