Latest News
Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Reaches 10-year Milestone
Yesterday, the ABLE Act marked its 10th anniversary. Officially known as the “Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act,” was part of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 and created the ability for individuals with disabilities…
Retirement Thoughts that Keep Folks Awake
It’s a scary time for many…this pre-retirement phase when you begin to reflect on how prepared your are (or aren’t) for stepping into the post-career chapter. For some, it can produce resolve to gear up for the home stretch, while…
Thoughts on Dealing with SSA’s Customer Service Issues
Many know that the Social Security Administration field offices face staffing issues, which creates difficulties for folks who prefer on-site office visits. In the face of that problem, the agency has re-emphasized using online capabilities to conduct many relatively routine…
Floor Vote on WEP-GPO Repeal Imminent: Odds Appear in Favor of Passage
It looks like the issue of “fairness” in the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) segments of the Social Security rulebook will receive a final Senate vote in the closing hours of the current session. Andrew Biggs,…
Social Security Payments Should Continue Unabated n the Event of a Government Shutdown
“The Social Security Administration has plans in place to ensure that Social Security checks will still be sent out in the event of a government shutdown.” That’s the essence of an article from CNET contributor Thomas Kika in a post…
A Quick Review of Survivor Benefits
The question of what happens to the benefit picture when a Social Security beneficiary dies often factors heavily into retirement financial planning exercises. So, it’s good to be aware of the basic rules governing benefits for survivors. A brief video…
President-elect Trump’s Proposal on Eliminating Income Tax on Benefits Resonates Well
A Newsweek.com post published today indicates widespread support for Trump’s proposal to exempt Social Security benefits from the annual income tax calculation. Specifically, a recent Monmouth University poll, nearly two-thirds of the more than 1000 respondents favored the change, while…
Social Security in 2025: Many changes, but some constants.
You’re probably well aware of some of the “regular” changes in Social Security that occur automatically with the calendar changing. Parameters like the taxable maximum, the cost-of-living adjustment, the earnings test limits, and so on are updated yearly to keep…
In Case You Were Wondering…
Sometimes. it feels good to separate from the daily onslaught of detail and mind-boggling news about the economy and its trajectory. Yet you know the pace of evolution in policies that may (or may not) have a bearing on you…
Determining the “Best Deal” from Social Security–The Actuaries Weigh-In
On most purchases, a clear objective is to get your “money’s worth” out of the cash you put into the transaction. So, how does this objective comport with the tax you pay into Social Security throughout your participation in the…