Headlines
Unraveling the rules about Social Security survivor benefits
The rules governing Social Security survivor benefits are often a conundrum to those struggling with the loss of a spouse. In addition to dealing with the emotional stress of losing someone they love, worrying about how, if and when they should claim…
Let’s Preserve & Modernize Social Security
Many may remember the famous poll some years ago stating, “more people surveyed among Generation X [now age 37-54] believe in UFOs than that Social Security will be there for them at retirement.” It was as shocking as recent polls…
Social Security – Maybe It Shouldn’t Be For Everyone?
Stephen Kent’s op-ed in The Washington Examiner takes a totally different view of Social Security that no one is yet willing to even discuss. He believes the country lacks a political will to address Social Security’s problems. In Kent’s view, Congress should change…
Social Security – It’s approaching CRISIS
“Tomorrow is here.” So says Marc Goldwein, senior vice president and Senior Policy Director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, writing this op-ed in The Hill. What was once a concern and then a challenge is close to becoming a…
Congressional inaction the norm despite dire predictions
This thoughtful piece brings together experts from The Concord Coalition, The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, and The Peterson Foundation among others, for comment on the state of Social Security and Medicare after the release of last week’s Trustees…
Is it good to plan for a world without Social Security?
Scary headlines always follow a release of the annual Social Security Trustees report. Last week was no exception, when the report reiterated what has been known for years– Social Security will only be able to pay its beneficiaries about 80%…
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…