Headlines
The Cost of Medicare Part B is Still Delayed, but Expect a Substantial Increase
Due to the government shutdown, the release of the actual increase for Medicare Part B in 2026 is still delayed. The current estimate is still expecting it to increase from the current premium of $185 to $206.50. An increase of…
Definition Time: “Computational Years” and How They Affect Benefits
Social Security retirement benefits are based on earnings history, currently using 35 “computation years” to develop an average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) figure for use as the base for determining a retiree’s primary insurance amount (PIA). AIME represents the retirees’…
Your Personal “my Social Security” Account
Think about this: how often do you check on your personal finances, for example, the amount of money in your savings account, or how your investment portfolio is doing? Chances are that the answer is – you check from time…
Two biggest regrets of retirees
“Small amounts saved daily add up to huge investments in the end.” – Margo Vader The two biggest regrets of the majority of retirees are not saving enough and not starting to save early, according to the latest study by…
Should we change how COLA is calculated?
Social Security recipients will receive their 2.8 percent COLA increase in January; however, with the annual inflation rate of 3 percent, seniors are struggling to keep up with rising prices. Not only are seniors dissatisfied with the meager amount, but…
Why only 8% wait until age 70
You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits only when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age…
Western nations are addressing similar public pension challenges
The good news is that more than 74 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment starting in January 2026. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has just released the annual inflation rate at 3 percent, further…
Demystifying Social Security Disability
Much of the mystery about Social Security disability stems from a simple misunderstanding of what it is – an insurance program for working Americans who become disabled before their full Social Security (SS) retirement age. Just like any other insurance…
Friday Wrap-Up: More Thoughts on the Nagging Insolvency Problem
Citing examples of congressional actions exacerbating Social Security’s financial troubles (think WEP/GPO repeal, for instance), Forbes Senior Contributor Howard Gleckman offers a recap of corrective measures being advanced by policy experts. As Gleckman explains, many of the measures differ considerably…
Capping COLA: What Would it Mean for Social Security Solvency?
Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is, naturally, in the news these days. The announcement of an across-the-board 2.8% increase beginning in January has generated quite a bit of commentary, including criticism for its inability to help seniors combat inflation.…