Latest News
Avoiding Medicare’s Late Enrollment Penalty
Just as Social Security is the nation’s foundational retirement financial program, Medicare is America’s foundational healthcare program for seniors aged 65 and over. Medicare, however, can be tricky, especially if you miss the Initial Enrollment Period which starts 3 months…
Be Smart About Your Social Security Benefits
Let’s face it – Social Security was never meant to be your sole source of income in retirement. In reality, Social Security provides only about 40% of what you’ll need to retire comfortably, so having an additional source of income…
Millennials Likely to Bear the Burden of Social Security Reform
Given all the media coverage in the past year or so, it’s now pretty well known that Social Security – the nation’s bedrock retirement program – will face serious financial issues in about a decade. Although the recently released Social…
Your spouse has passed away. What do you do about Social Security Survivor Benefits?
When your spouse predeceases you, you may be eligible for survivor benefits. There are options to consider, especially if you have not yet started your own Social Security benefits. You can take one benefit and switch over to the other…
Will taking Social Security at age 62 give you enough income to survive?
This article by Christy Bieber published on May 24, 2024 by Yahoo Finance articulates different scenarios for different retirement ages. Taking Social Security early will give you a reduced payment but more years of that income and waiting will give…
Important information about your Medicare Eligibility
This article is written by Diane Omdahl for Forbes and published on May 23,2024. Depending on your situation, you may not automatically qualify for Medicare, especially premium free Part A. As Diane points out it is important to think about…
An exception to the Social Security payment schedule
By Aliss Higham on May 24, 2024 for Newsweek Social Security payments are very consistent with the payout dates. Supplemental Security Income payments are deposited on the first of the month. Retirement benefits are paid on the 2nd, 3rd, and…
WEP & GPO From a Financial Advisor’s Perspective
Financial Advisors frequently deal with questions and concerns from clients regarding their public-service pensions and how they might be impacted by Social Security’s Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). And with the current push for repeal of…
Standing Up for the 401k…They’re Not as Bad as Some Suggest
Many folks now in or soon to be in their retirement years have accumulated a substantial nest egg as a result of having access to tax-deferred savings plans, like 401ks. It’s probably fair to say that without the incentive of…
A Glimmer of Optimism in the Retirement Planning Picture, Perhaps?
Financial security in retirement is a major concern in the minds of many workers looking toward that life phase. So much of the news over the past few years has been gloom and doom, with Social Security’s looming insolvency and…