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RESPONSIBLY CONFRONTING SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY’S FINANCING CRISIS
The Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) trust fund’s projected 2016 depletion will require Congress to act soon to prevent large, sudden benefit cuts. Experts on both sides of the aisle have noted that a “quick fix” of simply shifting payroll taxes…
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND SSI
What is disability for Social Security purposes? Social Security’s definition of disability is very specific. In order to be found disabled under Social Security regulations: You must be unable to do any type of “substantial gainful work” because of your…
Federal lawsuit seeks to speed veterans’ disability compensation appeals
More than four decades after he first showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, Vietnam War veteran Conley Monk Jr. still is waiting for approval of medical coverage and, more recently, disability benefits, from the Veterans Administration. “We are literally in the…
Women and Social Security
The Social Security program treats all workers – men and women – exactly the same in terms of the benefits they can receive. But women may want to familiarize themselves with what the program means to them in their particular circumstances.…
Rand Paul Believes We Must Fix Social Security and Save it For Younger Generations
Combined with years of wasteful spending by decades of career politicians in Washington, the Social Security trust fund has been left in a fragile condition. Millions of Americans depend on Social Security and if we are to keep our promises to…
Tax On Social Security May Come As Surprise
The requirement to pay income tax on Social Security benefits comes as a surprise to many retirees, according to Frank Jaffe, an advisor with Access Wealth Planning in Roseland, N.J. Financial advisors need to know this and be prepared to warn…
Health costs loom large for retirees; understanding them is the first step in protecting yourself
What’s your biggest fear? Death? Heights? Clowns? If you’re near retirement, health care expenses are probably near the top of your list — perhaps right between sharks and one of the kids moving back in. Read more… Notice: The…
6 Reasons To Consider Buying Longevity Insurance
Over the last few years, annuities have begun to take a more prominent role in the retirement income planning process and part of the reason is longevity risk. According to retirement expert Tom Hegna, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, author of Pay…
The Fiscal Future I: The Hyperbolic Case for Bigger Government
Brad DeLong has posted a draft statement on fiscal policy for the IMF conference on “rethinking macroeconomics” — and I’m shocked, in a good way. As regular readers may have noticed, Brad and I share many views, so I expected…
Social Security Column: Social Security Can Jazz Up Retirement Plan
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, a perfect time to move your feet and revel in the smooth beats of one of America’s most beloved musical genres. Ella Fitzgerald, the “Queen of Jazz,” known for her scatting style, had a vocal range…