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Social Security “Buyer’s Remorse”
Most know that Social Security retirement benefits can be claimed as early as age 62, and many also know that waiting longer means a higher benefit. Despite the knowledge that claiming early means a permanently lower monthly payment, many are…
Review Your Lifetime Social Security Earnings
One of the fundamental factors use to calculate your Social Security benefit when you claim is your lifetime earnings history, as reported to the Social Security Administration by the IRS. Knowing that, doesn’t it make sense to review your earnings…
Social Security Dysphoria
Fueled in large part by politicians’ accounts (and media hype) “dooms day” for Social Security is but a short decade away and, sadly, most of the public believes media accounts despite being largely uninformed about how the Social Security program…
About Social Security Solvency
According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), election year promises “not to touch Social Security” are hollow pledges. The CRFB says “While this pledge is framed as ‘protecting benefits,’ it is – in reality – an implicit…
Understanding Social Security Disability
Social Security’s disability program, known as “SSDI” (Social Security Disability Insurance), is one of the most misunderstood segments of the nation’s entire social insurance program. Unfortunately, we hear almost daily from American’s frustrated because their application for SSDI benefits has…
Young Americans: It’s Never Too Soon to Save for Retirement !
Time is, inarguably, one of the most important factors for building a sizable retirement nest egg. That is the word from countless older Americans who have neglected saving in their younger years, only to now find themselves lacking the financial…
Mitigating Income Tax on Social Security Benefits
It’s a particularly vexing problem, and one which catches many Social Security beneficiaries unaware – Social Security benefits are taxable if your income from all sources is high enough. What that means is if you have a lot of income…
The Best and Worst Ages to Claim Social Security
Spoiler alert: there is no one best of worst age to claim, because everyone’s personal situation is different. Nevertheless, research has shown that the most popular ages at which benefits are claimed (62 and 63) are usually not the best…
Social Security Disability: The Facts
In his own inimitable way, retired long time Social Security employee Tom Margenau tackles the myths surrounding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Most prevalent among the misconceptions are that SSDI is easy to get, that a lot of people…
A Burning Question: When Should You Claim Social Security?
There is an 8 year window during which you may claim your Social Security retirement benefit, starting at age 62 and ending at age 70. Actually, claiming at age 70 isn’t mandatory, but there’s no reason to wait longer because…