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The Elusive Maximum Social Security Benefit
There is a defined “maximum Social Security benefit” which is established by the Social Security Administration every year, but for most applicants that maximum benefit is theoretical rather than practicable. That’s because in order to achieve the maximum possible Social…
About Those Pesky Medicare Advantage TV Ads
If you watch TV at all, you’ve seen familiar faces touting how your healthcare life could be so much more wonderful if you’ll only “call the number on the screen.” A past football star, a fictional spaceship captain, and an…
Taxation of Social Security Benefits
As the saying goes, there are only two things which are definite, and one of those is taxes. And, unfortunately, retirement income – including your Social Security benefit – may very well become part of your income taxable by the…
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
It’s not a pleasant topic to think about, but about 12% (about 1 in every 8) workers will at some point become disabled, and that can have a devastating impact on their financial well being. But fortunately, those who pay…
The 2023 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): A Sobering View
Media predictions of another historic Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) coming in 2023 are raising expectations for millions of Social Security beneficiaries. Some pundits are suggesting that those who depend heavily on Social Security may see their monthly check increase…
A Critical Look at H.R. 5723 – the Social Security 2100 Act
Contrary to reports from some media outlets (see yesterday’s post on this website), CATO Institute Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy Romina Boccia reports there is definite movement on H.R. 5723, the Social Security 2100 Act proposed last year by…
Social Security Reform: Some Mixed Messaging
In a post on nationalinterest.org, technology writer Stephen Silver offers commentary on the various congressional messaging surfacing on the subject of Social Security reform. Silver’s article references some of the positions taken recently by various sources, including Rick Scott, Nancy…
Elimination of WEP and GPO…A Continuing Debate
As H.R. 82–the Social Security Fairness Act of 2021–winds its way through Congress, the general question of whether or not the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) sections of the Social Security statutes should be…
A Viewpoint on the Adequacy of Social Security COLAs
As we’ve pointed out several times in the past few weeks and months, media projections of a major, inflation-induced bump in Social Security benefits have created the impression that beneficiaries will see an increase of more than 10% come January.…
Views on “Saving” Social Security
In a post yesterday on 19fortyfive.com, Cato Institute Budget and Entitlement Policy director Romina Boccia weighs in with an analysis of actions to be considered in the reforming of Social Security, all geared toward ensuring the program’s long-term survival. The recommendations she…