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Interest rates and future COLAs: A source of concern for beneficiaries
There’s been a fair amount of hype around the recent Federal Reserve actions on key interest rates, most recently a mid-December quarter-point cut. That, of course, was a welcome move for investors, even though its impact had already been largely…
Social Security Reform: A Call for Further Means-Testing
As the calendar turns to 2026, so does the urgency to focus seriously on Social Security’s long-term financial situation. Reflecting on the 1983 changes designed to ensure complete benefit continuity well past the middle of the 21st Century, most sources…
Social Security and Women in Retirement
A recent Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies survey reports that more than a quarter of women (27%) picture Social Security as their primary source of retirement income. The survey notes that men are less reliant on their projected Social Security…
Be prepared for these surprises
The expression “the best laid plans of mice and men” could be applied to retirement planning. No matter how prepared one may feel, plans may still fall apart. Although we cannot plan for every surprise life sends our way, there…
Take control your healthcare costs in 2026
Health insurance premiums are rising, and 2026 is going to be a record high for millions of Americans. It does not matter if you get your health insurance through your employer, the federal government, or the ACA marketplace; premiums have…
Do you have financial grit?
Do you have financial grit? What is financial grit, and how do I acquire it? According to Daniel Gilham, the managing director of advisor strategy at Farther, “Financial grit is the consistent, relentless pursuit of financial goals. Through economic gain…
Changing Medicare eligibility to 67
Medicare is the primary form of health insurance for older adults in the U.S. Provided by the federal government, Medicare helps cover the health care costs of people at least 65 years old, as well as those with certain disabilities.…
Social Security was originally intended for retirement
The original purpose of Social Security was to provide economic security for the elderly and protect them from poverty when they could no longer work; however, a recent report shows that many older people report receiving both wages and Social…
SSA will be open on Dec. 24th and Dec. 26th
President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order giving most federal employees two additional days off this week — the days before and after Christmas. Social Security will keep field offices and phone lines open on both those days, “in line…
Should you sign up for Medicare at 65?
Your Medicare initial enrollment period (IEP) is three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and three months after your 65th birthday. However, you may not want to enroll in Medicare when you are 65 if…