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3 Surprising Beneficiaries of a Minimum Wage Boost
(By – Sean Williams, John Maxfield, and Jordan Wathen) It’s been nearly six years since the federal government last raised the federal minimum wage. For low-income workers, that’s an exceptionally long period of time to go without a raise relative…
Some thoughts on when to take Social Security benefits
(By – Marc Hebert, www.unionleader.com) Social Security was created in 1935 when President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. On Jan. 31, 1940, the first monthly Social Security check was issued to Ida May Fuller for $22.54. The lowest Social…
Midyear: A good time to assess items on money checklist
(By – Russ Wiles, The Republic) The midpoint of a fairly uneventful economic year can be a good time to step back and assess your financial situation. The markets have been mostly quiet, there are no big tax deadlines or changes…
Aetna Inc To Buy Humana Inc For $34 Billion
(By – HANNAH ISHMAEL, www.bidnessetc.com) Aetna Inc. (NYSE:AET), the third-largest health insurer in the US, announced Friday it has agreed to acquire its smaller rival Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) for $34.1 billion, following weeks of merger-related speculation concerning the health insurance giants. The said…
3 Social Security Figures All Americans Should Know
(By – Matthew Frankel, Selena Maranjian, and John Maxfield) All Americans know what Social Security is, but too many don’t understand some basic information about how the system works. For example, do you know how much your benefit will be at…
Consider budget, resources for retirement
(By – Gary Parsons) Our last discussion centered on the unique challenges that women face in saving for retirement. This time we will discuss some of the potential solutions and ways to help plan for a stable retirement. These concepts, however,…
Nearing Retirement? It’s Time to Be Creative
(Source – www.nytimes.com) For Phyllis Edelman, 61, dog-walking was the answer. For Ron Walker, it was postponing retirement until 68, while defying the conventional wisdom to delay taking Social Security until age 70. For others it could be moving, taking in a boarder,…
Social security payments depend on several factors
(By – Jim Miller, via www.thespectrum.com) Generally, Social Security retirement benefits (as well as disability and survivor benefits) are paid in the month after the month they are due. So, if you apply for your Social Security benefits in September, you will…
Watchdog: Agency spends more than it makes to collect wrongful payments
(By – Elizabeth Harrington) The Social Security Administration (SSA) spends more money than it collects when trying to recover payments to individuals who received benefits for which they were not eligible. According to the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the…
Eighty years of Social Security
(By – Vonda VanTil, public affairs specialist for Social Security Administration) Eighty years ago, on Aug. 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. The new law guaranteed a basic income for retirees and, at the…