Headlines
The “New” Retirement Landscape
Most people know that the average life expectancy for Americans has increased more than 30% over the 80+ years that Social Security has been around. On the one hand, that’s great. On the other hand–the financial planning hand–that could be…
Social Security benefits for non-citizens
There is a lot of emotion surrounding this topic, but it is true that certain people who are not U.S. citizens can, in fact, get Social Security benefits.That does not include anyone who is in this country illegally, even if…
Fixing Social Security–A Contrast in Approaches
It’s fairly common knowledge these days that Social Security is steadily moving toward a problem. That problem involves the program’s long-term solvency, and specifically the projected depletion of the trust fund reserves that will begin compensating for the shortfall in…
Survivor Benefits: 82% Reportedly Did Not Receive Adequate Advice
An audit report issued by the Acting Inspector General of the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General two days ago found that surviving spouses dually eligible for both survivor benefits and retirement benefits on their own earnings records are…
The “Retirement Saver’s Credit”…An Often Overlooked Benefit
For semi-retired taxpayers earning income at a lower level and still contributing to an IRA or other retirement savings plan, there is an opportunity to take advantage of a tax break that could generate a substantial benefit. It’s technically called the…
Universal Basic Income Cited in Heritage Foundation Report
A February 14 report posted by Heritage Foundation’s Robert Rector and Mimi Teixeira provides an analysis of the Universal Basic Income (UBI) concept re-emerging in conceptual discussions. Citing the UBI concept’s implicit elimination of Social Security as a protective measure for the…
Scam Alert: IRS Urges Taxpayers to Watch Out for Erroneous Refunds
The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers of a quickly growing scam involving erroneous tax refunds being deposited into their bank accounts. The IRS also offered a step-by-step explanation for how to return the funds and avoid being scammed. Following…
Retirement Savings and Defined Contribution Plans: A Fix is Needed
One of the more frequently reported retirement planning issues is what many perceive to be a critical shortfall in savings among future retirees. Time.com’s Money page, for example, not too long ago reported that a third of Americans have accumulated…
The “How Much Money Do I Need for Retirement” Conumdrum
In some respects, it’s like the chicken-and-egg riddle. Figuring out how much you’ll need for a sustainable retirement hinges on how much you’ll spend, and the task is so daunting that, according to a study by Age Wave/Merrill Lynch, eight in ten…
Some disturbing facts about Social Security
It’s a given that Social Security is a critically important program upon which a multitude of Americans rely to keep them financially secure and, indeed for many, above the poverty line. But given the importance of this program, it’s quite disturbing that…