Latest News
Understanding the “Break-Even Age” and How it Applies to Your Claiming Decision
The “when to file” question is one of the more frequent ones we receive here at the AMAC Foundation Social Security Advisory Service. And although we know it’s frustrating, our answer universally is “it depends.” Most financial planners will tell…
The Senior Citizens League Weighs-In on the “Six Figure Limit”
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) has created a bit of a stir with its recent proposal for Congress to consider placing a ceiling on the amount of benefits available to married couples and, by extension, unmarried claimants. The…
The Myths That Just Won’t Die!
We’ve covered this subject many, many times over the years on this website, but unfortunately, several myths and rumors have cemented themselves as “facts” in the minds of many. Probably the most visceral of these is the “politicians stole the…
Implications of Claiming at Age 70: Consider Survivor Benefits in the Equation
Conventional retirement finance planning suggests deferral of benefits until age 70 to capitalize on delayed retirement credits. Yes, you do get a higher monthly benefit, and depending on the number of months you receive that payment, you can maximize your…
Proposed modernization of the Medicare Savings Programs
To simplify access to the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPS), the Aging & Disability Health Policy Lab has drafted four model policies. Medicare Savings Programs are special benefit programs sponsored by state Medicaid agencies. They are designed to relieve some (or…
Employers overestimating the financial health of their employees
A recent survey by the Transamerica Institute “found a consistent pattern of employers overestimating the financial health of their workforce while workers quietly absorb the consequences of persistent inflation, inadequate benefits, and mounting retirement anxiety.” One of the most alarming…
Are you prepared for the retirement you might get?
Two-thirds of retirees said they left the workforce earlier than planned, according to the latest survey from the Society of Actuaries Research Institute. The primary driver for the need for early retirement was health issues. These findings confirm other research…
CMS announces aggressive nationwide crackdown on fraud
In a continuing effort to stop fraud before it starts, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking decisive action to protect Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayer dollars through implementation of a six-month, nationwide data-driven moratorium on new Medicare…
How the government calculates your Social Security benefits
Your Social Security benefit is calculated based on your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for wage growth, and then applied to a formula that determines your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). However, this amount can be adjusted based on specific…
The fear of running out of money
The fear of running out of money is more overwhelming than the fear of death itself for almost two-thirds of retirees, according to the latest Allianz Retirement Study. Along with the fear of running out of money, more than 50…