Headlines
Survivors being short-changed by Social Security mistakes
A recent report by Social Security’s Inspector General found that, in many cases, Social Security office staff are failing to properly alert survivors to all the benefit options available to them. As a result, so far over 9000 survivors have…
Budget cuts mean long Social Security wait times
Mandated budget cuts since 2010 mean that there are about 3,500 fewer employees at the Social Security Administration than there were seven years ago, and that translates to longer wait times both on the phone and for visits to your local…
Social Security Disability: How your benefit is calculated
Of course, no one expects to become disabled and not be able to earn a living, but the reality is that about 10 million of Social Security’s 62 million beneficiaries are those who became disabled and unable to work. And about…
Claiming Social Security at the wrong time can be costly
Much has been written about when is the best time to claim Social Security. Some advisors will tell you to take your benefits as soon as you’re eligible at age 62, and others will extol the virtues of waiting until…
Dilemma for retiring women: “The Triple Whammy”
It’s surely no secret that saving enough for retirement is a key to comfort in your golden years, and women have an even tougher time than men building the nest egg they’ll need. That’s largely thanks to a “triple whammy” caused by…
Today’s Workforce: A Generation-by-Generation Look at its Composition
Much has been written about Social Security funding and where it comes from, with over 90% of the program’s income coming from payroll taxes. And as the years go by, much more is written about where the program’s payments go,…
Rep. Johnson Opens Hearing on Need for Permanent SSA Commissioner
Yesterday, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) delivered the opening statement for a Committee meeting on the need for appointment of a Social Commissioner “empowered to make strategic decisions regarding the long-term operation of the…
Your Social Security Benefits: The Importance of Understanding the System
Getting the most out of your earned Social Security benefits is one of the keys to building the best financial situation for your retirement years. Achieving this desired situation, though, requires a clear understanding of the rules and complexities associated…
START: Taking a Look at the Impact on Savers
American Retirement Association’s Chief Content Officer Nevin Adams, in a post today on www.napa-net.org, examines the implications of the recently-introduced plan designed to tackle the well-established savings deficiency problem facing future retirees. Titled “Supplemental Transition Accounts for Retirement (START),” the plan calls…
The Most Consistent Question–When Should I File for Social Security Benefits?
The general question of “When should I file for Social Security benefits?” is one of the most common questions on the minds of folks approaching age 62. In fact, AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Service, an acclaimed service available free…