Headlines
Longer Life Expectancy Increases the Need for Retirement Savings to Last Longer
The average life expectancy in the United States has grown from age 61 in 1935, when Social Security was first created, to age 79 today. At that time, women were expected to live until 64, and men until 58. Someone…
Expect a Substantial Increase in the Medicare Part B Premium in 2026
The Social Security Trustees Report for 2025 projects a Medicare Part B increase of 11.6% in 2026. The premium is estimated to be $206.50. This is a $21.50 increase, the largest since 2022. In 2022, the premium rose by $21.60,…
Upcoming Changes to Social Security Will Be Announced Soon
There are five major changes to Social Security that will be released on October 15th. The most anticipated of these is the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Social Security has automatically adjusted COLA each year since 1975. From 1975 to 1982, COLA…
How to File an Appeal with Social Security
Last year, Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General reported that the agency had paid out nearly $72 billion in improper payments in the 2015-2022 period, with most of the erroneous payments attributed to overpayment of benefits. There are many…
One month to 2026 COLA is announced
The 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment is expected to be announced on October 15th by the Social Security Administration; however, this has not stopped industry experts from predicting the amount of the increase. The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) predicts that the 2026…
Financial pressures reshaping retirement planning
Over one-third of employees are withdrawing from their retirement accounts to pay down urgent needs, according to Payroll Integrations’ Employee Financial Wellness Report. Gen Zers are leading the way with 46 percent stating they have taken money out of their…
What to expect from Social Security
The headlines about Social Security insolvency are scary to most Americans. According to a recent survey from NerdWallet, “36 percent of Americans under age 65 don’t think that Social Security will be available to them by the time they retire.”…
The new retirement rule and senior home owners
William Bengen created what is considered the gold standard of retirement strategies: The 4% Rule. The 4 percent retirement rule is a guideline suggesting that retirees can withdraw 4% of their retirement savings annually, adjusted for inflation, to ensure their…
Demystifying Social Security Spouse Benefits
Among Social Security’s myriad regulations, few topics are more misunderstood than spouse benefits. Terminology is important here – “spouse benefits” in Social Security (SS) parlance refers to benefits one spouse can collect from the other’s record while both spouses are…
Repeal of Social Security Benefit Taxation In the News Again
As the reality of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Social Security benefit taxation offset unfolds, renewed interest in permanently eliminating this burdensome tax has shown up in the U.S. Senate. Earlier this week, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced the…