Headlines
Medicare websites get a scathing review
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is failing to meet its goal of making healthcare costs more transparent, according to a federal audit released Tuesday. Five websites meant to help inform Medicare patients about treatments and providers have…
9 Things Congress Definitely Should Not Do During Lame-Duck Session
The current lame-duck session, the period between Election Day and when the new members enter Congress, is particularly important because the Republicans will take control of the Senate in January and retain control of the House of Representatives, leaving Senate…
‘Just the facts’ on when to take Social Security
“Just the facts, ma’am,” as Dragnet’s Sgt. Joe Friday used to say. But when it comes to retirement planning, instead of “just” the facts, we should ask for “all” the facts. Many stories have been written about the merits of…
Social Security and the Midterm Elections: What’s Going to Happen Now
The 2014 midterm elections are over, and the Republican takeover of the Senate has many analysts considering the potential impact on Social Security benefits. With almost 60 million Americans receiving some form of Social Security, concerns about potential cuts to…
What you can do now to protect tax refund
Millions of Americans count on their tax refunds to pay down debt, save for the future and cover necessities such as groceries or utilities. So imagine filing your return, only to be told your refund has been paid to someone…
Why Detroit’s Pension Deal Is a Warning to Retirement Savers
Guaranteed lifetime income has become the obsession of retirees, policymakers and the financial industry. Yet as the public pension debacle in bankrupt Detroit shows, we may never find a solution that completely eliminates the risk of your money running out. The…
Despite Challenges, More Women Looking Forward to Retirement
Despite starting with less savings at retirement and needing to fund more years in retirement, a new survey from Financial Engines (NASDAQ:FNGN) found that women are surprisingly optimistic about their golden years. Fifty-one percent of women surveyed said that they…
Veterans Are the Real 1 Percenters
Mentioning “1 percenters” conjures up images of protest and class warfare. But there is another 1 percent who are beyond politics: the men and women who serve in America’s armed forces, as well as the veterans who served before them. Despite…
Getting financially fit for retirement at 50
When you turn 50, retirement starts to seem less abstract. In terms of retirement planning, a 50th birthday can act as a wake-up call. It may offer a powerful reminder to trailing-edge baby boomers and Gen Xers, many of whom…
Serving veterans on Veterans Day and always
Every day — but particularly on Veterans Day — Social Security salutes those who have put their lives on the line for our freedom. Members of the United States armed forces receive expedited processing of their Social Security disability applications.…