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YOUR MONEY-As more U.S. workers go independent, a retirement time bomb is ticking
Ask self-employed workers about retirement savings, and a shocking number give exactly the same answer: “What retirement savings?” The potential consequences are scary not only for them – the nation’s growing ranks of entrepreneurs, freelancers, consultants and contractors – but also…
A counterintuitive Social Security strategy can fund an early retirement
Astute financial producers recognize that some of the most successful planning strategies are those customized to meet the individual client’s needs, and, in some cases, this means defying conventional wisdom and focusing on the numbers at hand. Effective Social Security…
Don’t Take Social Security Early Because You Think Think You Can Invest It At a Profit
Larry Kotlikoff’s Social Security original 34 “secrets”, his additional secrets, his Social Security”mistakes” and his Social Security gotchas have prompted so many of you to write in that we now feature “Ask Larry” every Monday. We are determined to continue it until the queries stop…
Decline in labor force driven by retirement, not discouragement
There’s a persistent lie making its way through popular media — and often twisted through social media. Like any good lie it starts with a kernel of truth but gradually becomes a clear and open lie. The truth — the labor force…
IN THIS CORNER: With Social Security, timing matters
If you’re like most retirees, you’ll automatically start taking Social Security when you’re 62. But just because this is the earliest you can start collecting doesn’t mean it makes the most sense for your financial wellbeing. Realizing that when you…
BRT CEOs Discuss Recommendations to Protect & Modernize Social Security & Medicare
Business Roundtable (BRT), an association of chief executive officers (CEOs) of leading U.S. companies, today released a detailed plan to strengthen and modernize Social Security and Medicare that CEOs believe must be part of any comprehensive economic growth and deficit-reduction…
What America Won in the ‘War on Poverty’
In an unabashed endorsement of government action to alleviate the plight of the poor, this week President Obama commemorated the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty with his own call for new policies to address the continued struggles of…
Obama administration’s proposed Medicare drug change stirs access worries
In a move that some fear could compromise care for Medicare recipients, the Obama administration is proposing to remove special protections that guarantee seniors access to a wide selection of three types of drugs. The three classes of drugs — widely…
No increase in costs for Medicare Plan B
There’s a little bit of good news for Medicare recipients — particularly Part B coverage. The plan usually increases as recipients’ income increases. However, this year, Part B deductibles and premiums will stay the same as last year. Other plans though will…
Social Security shouldn’t be used to balance budget
Over the past three years, Congress’ solution to our budget crisis has been a temporary patchwork of fiscal bandages, passed at the stroke of midnight before critical deadlines. Unfortunately, some have proposed balancing our budget by cutting Social Security benefits. Read more… Notice: The “Read…