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Working Longer to Increase Benefits–Some Points to Consider in the Argument
As the rhetoric on Social Security reform continues to percolate, one of the frequent topics in the debate is extending the amount of time in the workplace. Financial advisors typically cite the delayed retirement credit (DRC) as an avenue to…
Assisting Social Security Recipients in Minimizing Fraud Risk
It’s certainly no secret that seniors are a likely target for scammers and fraudsters, and the frequent hijacking of Social Security numbers, unfortunately, provides a pathway for the criminal element to access these unsuspecting victims. Further, with the risk of…
For Those Approaching Social Security: Some Very Basic Fundamentals
If you’re nearing a decision on when to begin drawing Social Security benefits and, especially, if you’re considering filing early, there are some very, very basic questions you need to ask yourself before taking the plunge. If you’ve created a…
The Mysterious Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
It’s almost amusing – media pundits grasp news about monthly inflation as early as the first quarter of each year and try to extrapolate the early data to predict a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the following year. It…
SECURE 2.0 Offers Financial Opportunities for Retirees
It’s been around for a while now, but it’s always good to have a refresher on the provisions enacted in SECURE 2.0 and their potential benefit for those managing their retirement goals. For example, the changes to when required minimum…
Representative Payee Designations Available to Help Seniors
Seniors struggling to manage their financial affairs have a helpful Social Security provision available to them that can ease their minds. It’s called the “Representative Payee” provision, and it allows a beneficiary to designate another person, usually a family member,…
Thinking About Retiring in Your 50s? Be careful!
It’s a dream that many mid-career people have…packing it all in while you’re still able to enjoy life to the fullest. If that’s a goal that you have, and you’re gearing your lifestyle and wealth accumulation strategies around it, we…
The Psychology Behind Claiming Social Security Benefits Early
Age 62 continues to be the most popular claiming age for Social Security benefits–40% of men and 47% of women decide that way, according to the Social Security Administration. Although this option is counter to the advice doled out by…
“Phishing” Scams are Evolving…Now It’s “Vishing”
Society’s underbelly continues to display creativity in the development of new ways to defraud the unsuspecting, and this constant search for innovative scams has now yielded an approach labeled “vishing,” with “phishing” now conflated with voice-based approaches to start the…
Dealing With the Longevity of Your Retirement Resources
It’s something that concerns many (perhaps most) retirees…Will I outlive my retirement resources? For many, it will become a real concern as they evolve through their retirement years, so it becomes increasingly important for them to watch for signs that…