Headlines
Social Security’s Looming Insolvency – Blessing or Curse?
Imagine how you would feel after your doctor said, “I’ve got some bad news for you. You are healthy now, but you will die one day.” You’d surely be relieved he didn’t give you 6-12 months to live. And so…
Nobel laureate Richard Thaler’s controversial plan – a 401(k) to get more Social Security?
Nobel laureate Richard Thaler is a behavioral economist and professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He notes that those saving for retirement face two problems when it comes to managing their money: how to effectively save for…
Essentials of The 2019 Social Security Trustees Report
This fourth week of April 2019 is being dominated by release of the annual Trustees Report on Social Security. Little has changed to improve the long-term financial problems facing this program due to changing demographics, but there are a few takeaways…
Social Security’s 2019 Annual Report Out: Don’t Pop the Champagne
Much as when the sun comes out during a hurricane, one should only make urgent and necessary repairs and forgo the celebration that the storm clouds are gone. That’s because the “eye” of the storm is but a temporary reprieve. And so it…
Social Security headed for “life support?”
“Life support” is not all that far-fetched a reality for the program that 63 million people rely on for a monthly benefit. Social Security is bumping up against issues that have been known for decades– namely, unfavorable demographics. People are…
Sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to wait to claim your Social Security benefits
For many people, Social Security benefits make up the majority of their income in retirement. That is why choosing when to claim Social Security benefits is an important decision, and it will affect how much you receive each month for…
The job of Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman is to assist people with Medicare
Are you aware that Congress created the job of Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman to assist people with Medicare with their inquiries, complaints, grievances, appeals, and requests for information? They also share information with Congress, the Secretary of Health and Human Services,…
Why you should file for Social Security at your full retirement age
Your Social Security benefits are calculated based on your highest paid 35 working years; however, the age at which you choose to file for them will determine the amount of money you ultimately collect each month in retirement. Individuals who…
What happens when the government takes back your retirement benefits
Millions of people get Social Security benefits and the majority of them choose to start getting them well before they reach full retirement age, and some will continue to work while receiving benefits. However, there’s a catch for those who…
A Social Security mistake you can make and it has nothing to do with the age you choose to retire
Social Security is extremely complicated with hundreds of pages and full of obscure rules that can trip even those who know Social Security inside and out. It is not surprising to find that millions of people make mistakes in dealing…