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How to Fix the Social Security Disability Insurance Program MarketWatch
(By – Jason J. Fichtner, Mercatus Center, George Mason University) As I noted in my previous MarketWatch column, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program faces real and increasingly urgent financial challenges. Absent legislative action to shore up the program’s…
Behind the Scenes with the Social Security Advisory Board
The Social Security Advisory Board was formed as a neutral panel to aid and advise Congress and the President in matters to do with Social Security. Through their research they make recommendations as to the best course of action to…
Educate Yourself on Social Security
A recent survey conducted by Financial Planning Association found that those nearing retirement age were actually quite knowledgeable about Social Security in general, but their knowledge falls off drastically when it comes to deferring benefits and spousal benefits. Some of…
The Morbid Predecessor to Social Security
The infamous predecessor to Social Security and pensions could make a comeback and benefit the current retirement systems. Tontines, a sort of death pact mixed with an annuity, could be the next big thing in the retirement game. Tontines were…
One Plan to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
Prescription drug prices have been a hot topic in the media lately, and for good reason. At the moment, pharmaceutical companies are able to set exorbitant prices on their product because of the way Medicare is set up to deal…
The Impact of an Aging Society
The realities of a continually growing life expectancy gap, and the implications this demographic change has for Social Security, are discussed in an article titled “A Safety Net–Not a Gravy Train” posted on www.washingtonpost.com by Robert J. Samuelson. The author,…
Keeping retirement planning in perspective – Social Security is Likely Taxable
These days, achieving a comfortable life in retirement requires anticipating the things that many people don’t expect. From the impact of taxes on Social Security benefits, to the reality that inflation needs to be planned for, to the simple fact…
Most Common Retirement Misinformation
Many people see retirement plans as insurmountable obstacles of investment algorithms and interest formulas. For this reason it is entirely too easy to fall in to pitfalls of commonly regurgitated misinformation. Many of the facts and guidelines making the rounds…
10 Million Healthcare.gov Accounts Vulnerable to Theft
Healthcare.gov holds a database with information from over 10 million accounts, each account holding sensitive information such as social security numbers, birthdates, and passport numbers. A recent audit left experts reeling, surprised that the system has not yet been breached.…
Medicare Loophole Leads to Drug Gouging
Regulations passed in 2006 requiring Medicare to cover the cost of certain drugs combined with a 2003 act preventing price negotiations is allowing pharmaceutical companies to charge whatever they want for their medication. The most recent example is with the…