Headlines
The one thing you should do for National Social Security month
The month of April has been declared National Social Security month which, the agency hopes, will shine a spotlight on this program that touches the life of nearly every American citizen. And in keeping with the inexorable use of technology for…
Social Security: A “break-even analysis” vs. assessing “longevity risk”
Deciding when to claim Social Security benefits is an exercise that everyone approaching age 62 will have to do, and very often a breakeven analysis – the age at which you will be “money-ahead” vs.claiming at a different age – is,…
Retirees are pessimistic about Social Security
Though not in any danger of going bankrupt, the Social Security program is nevertheless on shaky ground when it comes to paying 100% of promised benefits to retirees. That’s because the program’s Trust Fund reserves will start to be withdrawn to…
Social Security Disability: A lifeline for disabled workers
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is something that most people have paid premiums for throughout their entire working career; part of the FICA tax withheld from your every paycheck goes to pay the premium for SSDI. So if you’re put…
The Impact of Social Security Myths and Misunderstandings
Many folks aging into Social Security eligibility have preconceived notions about this massive program; unfortunately, these notions are often based on erroneous information that has been accumulated along the way. Take, for example, the explanation that many folks put forth…
Learn the Social Security basics before you decide
Social Security is, without question, one of the most important elements of your retirement strategy. That’s why it’s extremely important that you learn the basics of this program that will be providing you with income for the rest of your…
More on the Benefit of Delaying Social Security Benefits
Writing in the Winston-Salem Journal, financial planner Larry Hungerford provides a fairly detailed explanation of the overall advantages associated with waiting to full retirement age–and beyond–to begin drawing Social Security benefits. Citing the “76 percent difference between beginning Social Security at…
An Update on the Case for Social Security Reform
As the calendar continues its relentless march toward 2034, and as media accounts of what this date means to the solvency of Social Security repeatedly surface, there continues to be a clear message that near-term progress to address the problem is unlikely.…
Understanding Social Security’s Disability Provisions
Social Security includes the largest disability program in the nation, with millions of people current receiving disability benefits for themselves and their dependents. These benefits provide a means to replace some of the income that has been lost through inability to function in the…
Tax Advantages of Deferring Social Security Benefits
Conventional wisdom–indeed, the prevailing reason most people are advised to wait to age 70 if they can to file for Social Security benefits–is that the monthly payout is greatest at that point, having grown by 32% due to Delayed Retirement…