Latest News
For Social Security: “Status Quo = Benefit Cuts”
Most Americans approaching retirement age know that waiting longer to claim Social Security means a higher benefit for the rest of their life yet, according to one study, only about 10% of Social Security claimants wait to get the maximum…
How Does a $17,400 Cut to your Social Security Income Sound?
That Social Security is facing some difficult financial issues in the not-too-distant future is getting a lot of media attention these days, likely because we’re approaching an election next year and – no surprise – election years have a way…
Navigating Social Security’s Disability Application Process
Although this article talks about applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in New York, SSDI is a federal program and the information in the article applies equally in all U. S. states. The author’s writing style is somewhat…
Social Security’s “Compassionate Allowance List”
Stories about delays when applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are almost legendary, with many applicants waiting up to a year to get even an initial determination. These delays are usually a result of two things – excessive…
Money Isn’t Everything – Even in Retirement
I’ve heard, perhaps for my entire life, that “money isn’t everything.” And while I know that to be true, I also know that going into retirement with a substantial nest egg is a laudable goal and a way to achieve…
Assistance for Disabled Americans
Statistically, about 1 in every 5 Americans will become disabled for one year or more before they are 65 years of age. A sad but real situation for which, fortunately, assistance is available from various sources, depending on which specific…
About Raiding Your Retirement Plan
Through diligent contributions to your 401(k) at work, you may have built up a sizable nest egg for your future retirement. And if a hardship or financial emergency arises, it might be tempting to see that money sitting in the…
A Sobering View of Social Security Reform
In an unusually candid discussion, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) revealed the current attitude in Washington, D.C. when it comes to needed Social Security and Medicare reform – the right thing to do for problem resolution takes a back seat to…
Are Cuts to Social Security Benefits Inevitable?
Social Security, often thought of as the “third rail” of American politics, is in the news a lot lately with most who are vying for a spot on the 2024 election slate vowing not to cut Social Security benefits. While…
Take this Social Security Quiz
It’s America’s most important social insurance and retirement program. So why do Americans know so little about it? Selena Maranjian provides results of a survey conducted between 2014 and 2021 as part of the “Understanding America Study,” which sought to…