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Patrick Murphy-Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida Feud Continues
“We don’t want a war, we just want a primary,” the leader of a liberal Democratic group says in a letter to Democratic Rep. and 2016 Senate candidate Patrick Murphy after two days of slamming Murphy as a “Wall Street…
No Hablo Ingles? You’re Disabled According to a Social Security Administration Loophole
According to a new audit by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Social Security Administration (SSA) is giving away free money. It’s true, but not for you. In Puerto Rico, where the populations is predominately non-English speaking, the United States…
Can Your Retirement Survive a Financial Shock?
Most U.S. workers will experience at least one disruption to their retirement savings during their lives, a shock that could set back their retirement considerably. That’s the conclusion of the 2015 Financial Disruptions Survey conducted by TD Ameritrade (AMTD). According to the…
How to Get Your Doctor to Help With Your Social Security Disability Case
If you believe you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you need your doctor to support your claim for disability. You’ll need your doctor to send your medical records to Social Security as well as a statement about any…
Valuing Social Security Benefits As An Asset On The Household Balance Sheet
As a guaranteed income stream that cannot otherwise be liquidated or reinvested, most retirees don’t think of their Social Security benefits as an asset….And in fact, the payments are significant enough that it would take several hundred thousand dollars just…
Americans Are Retiring Early – Too Early Maybe?
My mother used to say, “Do as I say, not what I do.” I often ignored her advice. It looks like I am not alone in ignoring words of wisdom. Many Americans seem to be turning a blind eye to good advice…
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.…