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How Good Social Security Planning Can Offset ‘Disturbing’ Trend Hurting Widows
(By – David Cechanowicz, JD, MSFS, CLU, ChFC) While researching the impact of male Social Security claiming and poverty rates for widows, I have read article after article that illustrates the need for competent financial advising, especially in the area…
Many not planning for retirement at all
(By – MARLENE Y. SATTER, www.benefitspro.com) Most people are aware that the state of retirement in the United States is looking rather gloomy. But a new study has found the situation could be worse than we thought. The “Report on the Economic Well-Being…
What are your excuses for not investing?
(By – WILBUR YATES, www.kilgorenewsherald.com) We all make excuses. Most of the time, they’re pretty harmless. But you could be hurting yourself if you make excuses for not taking action in some areas — and one of those areas is investing. Not investing,…
Claiming Strategies for Boosting Your Social Security Benefits
(By – Pete Woodring, www.kiplinger.com) What you may not know about managing you and your spouse’s Social Security benefits may cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. There are two key strategies. Of the roughly 58 million current Social…
Plan for Retirement Like a Pro
(By Jane Bennett Clark, www.kiplinger.com) I’ve always been a horrible decision maker. My approach is to over-research, change my mind a few times and, if possible, kick the can down the road. This tendency to dither makes retirement planning a challenge. Should…
Why Medical Identity Theft Is Rising And How To Protect Yourself
(By – Laura Shin, Forbes Contributor) Anthem. Premera. Carefirst. Since the start of the year, these three major health insurers, all Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, have been victims of major data breaches, with up to about 92 million records affected.…
10 Social Security quirks, including ‘zombie’ payments
(By – ANDY LANDIS, Market Watch) Social Security has a number of offbeat “quirks.” Here are the top 10, including how to turn your payments into zombies. Quirk No. 10: Your birthday isn’t your birthday – Federal law says you “attain” any…
Medicare Advantage Under the ACA: Replace Payment Cuts with Market-Based Reforms
(By – Alyene Senger and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D., The Heritage Foundation) Abstract Medicare Advantage (MA) is a highly popular program that offers seniors a private alternative to traditional Medicare. While MA enrollment steadily increases, the Affordable Care Act of…
Why Social Security Still Matters
(Source – time.com) It’s absurd to think it won’t help much in retirement. This weekend, I hit the limit for idiotic journalism when it comes to writing about retirement in America.One article, purporting to warn about the seven myths that can…
Survey: Americans are concerned about the future of Social Security
(Source – www.smartbrief.com) Forty-one percent of respondents to a Pew Research Center survey don’t think there will be any Social Security benefits left for them in retirement. That fear may be unfounded, but it’s possible that benefits will be reduced. Advisers…