Latest News
Heavy Traffic Ahead for Serniors Needing to Interact with Social Security Field Personnel
Several staff cuts, operational modifications, and procedural changes have been implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to achieve cost savings across the Social Security spectrum. While that may produce the desired spending reductions, it will also exacerbate the…
Speculation on the Big, Beautiful Bill’s Impact on Seniors
What’s in it, what’s out of it? When will it pass? Which Senators oppose it? Which Senators support it? What changes will the Senate make? And so on. There is considerable confusion caused by the unknowns, especially given the public…
Dissecting the “No Tax on Tips” Provision in the Tax Bill
There has been considerable speculation about the Trump Administration’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” and its potential impact on Social Security. Attracting the most attention, naturally, was the disappearance of the “No Tax on Social Security” pledge, which was covered in a…
“Clean-Up” of Social Security Records Continues, Driven by DOGE
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reports that as of late last week, a major step in the clean-up of Social Security master file records has been completed. DOGE’s “X” post notes, “After 11 weeks, @SocialSecurity has finished this major…
Social Security’s Average Monthly Benefit Hits a New Milestone
The month of May is expected to see the average monthly benefit for retired workers reach the $2,000 level for the first time in history. For a quick comparison, the average benefit at the same point in 2015 was $1,363,…
Carrying Debt Into Retirement…a “Generational Time Bomb”
Noted entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary offers sobering thoughts on a trend emerging in the retirement world: seniors moving into that life phase with a heavy debt load. In a recent post on thestreet.com, O’Leary observes: “Nearly two-thirds of families led by…
Social Security and Garnishment: Taking a Look at the New Rules
The new rules for outstanding student loan debt have changed the landscape for many Social Security beneficiaries. And that’s not a trivial number of folks, since it’s estimated that about 5 million recipients of Social Security benefits have outstanding federal…
An Operational Conundrum…Fraud Detection Measures Slowing Claims Processing
Any efforts to curb fraud within the Social Security system are appropriate to ensure the integrity of benefit payments. Nobody would argue with that except, perhaps, a fraudster or malcontent seeking to “play” the system for illicit gains. But what…
Potential Social Security Cuts
An ideal retirement is having enough money to live comfortably. Many depend on Social Security and have little to nothing else in income. As we edge closer to the Social Security Trust Fund becoming insolvent many are becoming concerned about…
History of HR 82, The Social Security Fairness Act
H.R. 82 was signed into law by President Biden on January 5, 2025. This repealed two Social Security rules known as the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These rules were enacted in 1977 and 1983.…