Headlines
Will Social Security be there for the younger generation?
Those Americans referred to as “millennials” and “Generation Z” – essentially the younger generations under the age of 36 – are usually not focused on Social Security and how it might fit into a retirement plan so far into their future.…
In some states, you’ll pay income tax on your Social Security
While 37 states do not levy income tax on your Social Security benefits, if you live in any of these 13 states your benefits could very well be taxable. And although there are somewhat different taxing criteria among those 13 states,…
Freedom of time may be the best reason to take Social Security at age 62
In this hustle and bustle world, focusing on financial wealth, or at least financial adequacy, usually takes center stage in any retirement planning effort. And just as often, delaying Social Security benefits and allowing them to grow larger is an integral…
The Equifax Breach and Your Social Security–Time to Step Up the Vigilance
By now, you’ve no doubt seen the numbers and have read about the extent of the vulnerability faced by millions of Americans. With a reported 143 million Americans potentially impacted by the theft of personal data, it becomes clear that…
Next year’s COLA may not be as much as projected
Highlighting the folly of trying to predict the future, those who regularly watch the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are now projecting that the 2018 COLA increase won’t be as much as predicted by the Social Security Trustees’ Report released in July. That…
Don’t miss healthcare costs when planning for retirement
When you’re planning for your golden years, you of course take into account living expenses such as mortgage or rent, food, utilities and other basic costs. But the one big thing you shouldn’t forget to plan for is healthcare, because even though…
Musings of a retired Social Security employee
Noted columnist Tom Margenau often writes about Social Security matters offering advice to those with questions, and he is well qualified to do so given his long time employment at the Social Security Administration. But with the budget cuts and staff…
Medicare Basics: Know the coverage available to you
Although nearly all seniors are reliant upon this crucial healthcare program, many are not at all familiar with the various parts of Medicare and the coverage options available to them. While on the surface seemingly simple, Medicare actually is several…
Could the Equifax hack put your Social Security benefits at risk?
The news last week about the criminal hacking of Equifax data for 143 million Americans was, to say the least, especially disconcerting because Social Security numbers were part of the stolen data. And although most media coverage focuses on the usual…
The Equifax hack, and how it could affect you
The stealing of personal data of 143 million Americans from credit company Equifax made big news last week, and the fact that Social Security numbers were among the data stolen makes this an especially egregious incident. But what is also egregious…