Headlines
GOP Targets “Double Dippers” to Pay for Highway Bill
The fate of a multi-billion dollar emergency package to avert a nationwide shutdown of highway and bridge projects this summer may hinge on the outcome of a political tug of war over how to pay for it. Senate Democrats are seeking creative ways…
Why Do We Fund Social Security Differently From Other Government Programs?
Since its inception during the Great Depression, Social Security has been financed primarily by a dedicated tax on labor earnings. Today, workers and their employers together pay a 12.4 percent tax on the first $117,000 of labor earnings. This revenue…
Don’t Get Caught Flat-Footed by the “New Retirement”
Will you be caught flat-footed by the “new retirement”? This “new retirement” looks nothing like your parents’ and grandparents’ retirement. The “new retirement” is a very mixed bag – there’s good news, bad news and more elements of unpredictability than ever…
What you don’t know about Social Security—but should
Imagine that you’re about to accept a new job, and it’s time to talk salary. You sit down with your boss, who begins as follows: “Actually, our payroll system is impossibly complicated. You can pick from dozens of different ways to…
Need help on saving for retirement? Consider these four words.
What obstacles make you veer off course when it comes to retirement planning? Increasing the odds of success shouldn’t be overwhelming, since solutions can sometimes be hiding in plain sight. There are four words that can be very helpful for…
Women face challenges when saving for retirement
Women can face special challenges when saving for retirement. Generally speaking, women tend to spend less time in the workforce, and when they do work, they typically earn less than men in comparable jobs. As a result, women’s retirement plan…
Obama taps Colvin to lead Social Security
President Barack Obama named a veteran federal official from Maryland to lead the Social Security Administration on Friday, more than a year after the previous director left the critical post. Carolyn W. Colvin, 72, an Arnold native who has served…
Obama Picks Colvin to Head Social Security Agency
President Barack Obama is naming the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration to officially fill the job overseeing the massive retirement and disability program amid looming financial challenges. The White House said Friday that Obama will nominate Carolyn Watts…
Social Security Faces an Imminent Funding Shortfall
Social Security’s funding shortfall is typically viewed as a long-term problem. After all, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance fund is expected to have enough funds for another couple decades. But the Social Security Disability Insurance fund will probably become insolvency…
Social Security planning comes to the workplace
Social Security planning has taken a giant step into the workplace, and retirement planning may never be the same. Financial Engines announced Wednesday that it is now offering integrated Social Security and income planning to help near-retirees maximize their household…