Headlines
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…
Taking a Critical Look at the Popular Arguments Against Social Security
Although there has not been nearly enough coverage in the press about Social Security’s long-term solvency issue, there has nevertheless been recurring conjecture from those who seek to disparage the program. Kent Treiber, columnist for Western Nevada County California’s “The…
Retirement Savings and Women: Concerns are Evident
It’s National 401k Day or, in other words, the Friday after Labor Day. The theme surrounding this day of recognition for retirement savings vehicles is one of planning for the post-career years and one of promoting the wisdom of using…
Social Security Factors Big in CBPP Analysis of Future Spending
Citing the aging of America’s population and a rise in health care costs that exceeds overall growth in the economy, a report issued yesterday by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities‘ Paul Van de Water provides a projection that…
The Debt Ceiling and Its Implications
The term “catastrophic” is in the news frequently these days, from describing the Harvey-related flooding in Texas to the size of Hurricane Irma and its potential impact. But the term is also popping up in relation to the implications associated…
The Missing Timeline for Resolving the Social Security Solvency Dilemma
Forbes and Next Avenue contributor Chris Farrell, recapping the sentiments of Nobel laureate and MIT economist Peter Diamond, suggests that it will take an “imminent deadline” spur legislative action on the program’s looming insolvency issue. Farrell’s article reflects on the 1982-83 Greenspan Commission…
Two Simple Choices Can Impact Your Social Security Benefit
Statistics from the Social Security Administration (SSA) show that 48% of married elderly beneficiaries, along with 71% of unmarried elderly beneficiaries (61% combined), are reliant on their monthly Social Security benefit check for at least half of their income. And according…
Retirement Isn’t Cheap
The cold hard fact is that retirement isn’t cheap and it’s getting more expensive ever year. The average couple receives only $27,120 in Social Security benefits per year but the typical retired household spends about $45,000 per year. Closing the…
Five Possible Changes to Federal Retirement System
Upon request from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman, the Congressional Budget Office reviewed a variety of different options for the federal retirement system and found: “Lawmakers have expressed interest in examining the current structure of retirement benefits…
Life’s Circumstances Can Derail Your Retirement
Most financial planners will tell you the reason why your retirement plan failed was not the result of bad portfolio returns but due to some of life’s circumstances. Read how certain life’s circumstances can derail even the best retirement plan,…