Headlines
2017 Earnings Test Increases Will Benefit Many
Social Security beneficiaries drawing benefits while remaining employed received some good news in the SSA’s list of 2017 program changes. The “earnings test”–the limits beyond which monthly benefits are reduced–have been set to advance by 7.6%, from $15,720 to $16,920. The…
When to start collecting Social Security? This simple chart may help you decide.
What to do? When to apply? How long should I wait? Should I start collecting early? All of these questions go through the minds of most who are approaching 62, the age at which you become eligible to start collecting…
How to maximize your Social Security benefit
There’s no shortage of advice around about the importance of planning for your retirement, and the critical role that Social Security benefits should play in that plan. Sometimes the advice can seem complicated and even overwhelming, causing you to throw up your…
Want some inspiration? Here’s how to be happy in retirement.
What with increased life expectancy, improved health care and, all too often, small savings, many seniors are choosing to continue working even after they reach what Social Security calls their “full retirement age.” Enter an inspirational nonagenarian whose retirement plan…
COLA Increase: Good News or Bad News?
Sure, the tiny COLA increase announced yesterday is at least a small bit of good news. But it also indicates some positive trends that could be more good news. Conversely, the increase also means there will be a few changes to…
Social Security’s Cost of Living (COLA) adjustment
With all the news about the paltry 0.3% COLA increase to Social Security benefits in 2017, this is a good time to fully understand how COLA increases are now calculated, and what kinds of changes might result in a more…
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2017 will be tiny
Those receiving Social Security benefits will get only a very small Cost of Living Adjustment for 2017 – 0.3%. For the average recipient, this will amount to only about a $4 increase, but don’t count on spending it. Medicare premiums…
Seniors feelings towards retirement are changing
In the early 1900’s, most people worked pretty much as long as they were able. Then with the advent of employer retirement plans and Social Security benefits, attitudes shifted to thinking about a future where working stopped and an earned life…
The Road Ahead for Social Security–A Summation of the Situation
The long-term dilemma faced by the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds is not a self-correcting situation, and most Americans are aware of that fact. It’s been given some attention in the 2016 presidential campaign, although specific solutions have been…
Budget Deficit Widens – Social Security & Medicare Cited
Citing higher spending on Social Security and Medicare as a driving force behind America’s fiscal imbalance, Reuters Washington Reporter Lindsay Dunsmuir examines the widening 2016 budget deficit in an article posted on www.reuters.com. She observes that these programs, in conjunction with “slower-than-expected revenues,”…