Headlines
The Easiest Social Security Mistake to Avoid
Claim at age 62 and forget about it is the unfortunate mantra of a majority of those applying for first time Social Security benefits. But what so many do not understand is that claiming at 62 means a permanent reduction…
A Thorough Explanation of Cost of Living Adjustments
Seniors know they get a cost of living adjustment (COLA) every January 1st, though the increase has been 0% several times in recent years. Sean Williams explains in great detail the rather strange way this calculation occurs, in that it…
Fixing America’s Retirement System–Some Perspectives
The financial world is well aware that the U.S. Social Security system is in need of repair. Just how much in need, of course, is open to speculation as we await the 2021 official update from the Social Security Trustees.…
The Dark Side of A Big Cost-of-Living Adjustment
The media airwaves have been all over the potential for a relatively substantial bump in next year’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), with many projections of an increase north of 6%. Of course, this is a welcome turn of events…
Thoughts on Social Security Reform
A mid-year survey conducted by Nationwide Financial captured the thoughts of almost 2,000 U.S. adults age 25+ on Social Security and how they view its place in their long-term retirement planning. While the survey produced some predictable results, like 46% of the…
2021 Social Security Trustees Report – MIA
The annual Social Security Trustee Report for 2021 was due to Congress way back in April (April 1, specifically), but to date, nothing has been seen. As Mark J. Warshawsky, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute points out in a…
Perspectives on Social Security: Some Likes, and Some Dislikes
For many seniors and future retirees, America’s Social Security program is an important–some would say critical–component of their financial retirement planning. In fact, some surveys indicate that about half of retirees place a heavy reliance on their Social Security benefits…
How Well Do You Understand Social Security?
That’s not a trick question, and maybe there’s a better way to introduce the subject, like “Do you understand Social Security well enough to ensure that the decisions you make when you get there are best for your situation?” Unfortunately,…
2022 COLA Watch: Still Inching Upward
The July consumer price index (CPI) data recently released shows another–albeit slight–rise in the potential cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients in January of 2022. The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) suggests now that the adjustment could be in the 6.2%…
Social Security Is Not Going Bankrupt
Despite all of the “sky is falling” reports you might have heard or seen lately, Social Security isn’t going bankrupt. There are, however, financial issues which plague the program these days which need fixing by Congress. In a nutshell, it…