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Using Social Security Video Connect to do Business with SSA
In a continuing effort to improve interaction with the public, the Social Security Administration (SSA) now makes available a service enabling callers to conduct business using video on personal devices, from their preferred location. Called “Video Connect,” there are a…
Social Security Insolvency Alarm Bells – Peterson Foundation Weighs In
With increasing frequency, the significance of Social Security’s steady slide toward insolvency is showing up in the news. A blog post by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation (click here to read in full) is a recent example of a respected…
Dealing With Inadequate Retirement Savings and the Potential for Social Security Changes
Many media reports have dealt with the inability of many Americans to accumulate a financial cushion for their retirement years. With so many retirees needing to rely heavily on Social Security benefits to get by, and with inflation steadily eroding…
Nationwide 401(k) Dashboard Proposed by GAO
With 401(k) plans encompassing more than $7 trillion in retirement savings for over 92 million Americans, it would be an absolute understatement to say that management of an asset level of this magnitude is important. For individuals, especially those with…
A Quick Refresher on Getting the Most Out of Social Security
The maximum Social Security benefit as of this year is approaching the $5000 mark, but it’s unlikely that many beneficiaries will reach that level of payout. In fact, the average benefit for 2024 is $1,907 after the 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment…
Your Monthly Social Security Benefit Payment–the Benefit of Waiting
One of the reasons often cited for claiming Social Security benefits at the earliest opportunity is the rumor of the program’s impending “bankruptcy.” With the proliferation of explanations hitting the media in recent weeks, it’s hopeful that the false assumption…
Dealing With a Social Security Myth…The Claim that Too Many Get Unearned Benefits
You’ve probably heard the comment, or perhaps seen it on a social media site…Social Security would be in better shape if people who haven’t contributed would stop getting benefits (or some version of the same argument). As discussed in a…
Are Retirement Savings Beginning to Feel the Effects of Inflation?
With the threat of long-term inflation now a part of retirement financial planning, and with Social Security’s looming insolvency problem and accompanying uncertainties, the criticality of building that “nest egg” for later years is building steadily. And to make the…
Doing away with the old 4% rule
We all fear running out of money in retirement, but will we? Most financial experts assume all of us will live to age 95, but only a few of us will, so are we spending too cautiously and not enjoying…
Finding the right retirement savings goal
How much will you need to retire? Everyone’s ideal retirement is different based on their goals, and no two retirements look the same. There are, however, some rules that may help you estimate your retirement savings goals. Ryan Downie outlines…