Headlines
A quick overview of benefits that women, in particular, should not overlook
Social Security is neutral concerning gender – individuals with identical earnings histories are treated the same in terms of benefits. However, generally speaking, women receive lower pension benefits due to their relatively lower earnings, and a higher share of part-time…
Should you stop worrying about Social Security?
A recent survey from financial services company Nationwide found that 71 percent of adults felt that Social Security would run out of money in their lifetimes. The fear is understandable, with the last official projection by the Social Security Administration…
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…