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Attention: Single People…Some Things to Think About in Retirement Planning
There are quite a few aspects of retirement planning that apply equally to married couples and single people, but there are some significant differences that also need to be considered. The Social Security options differ somewhat, and it needs to be…
The Different Uses of Social Security
Social Security benefits help support half of all retired married couples and three fourths of single retirees. Most of these beneficiaries have Social Security as their primary source of income. Social Security does more than offer a source of income…
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…