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It’s all about realistic expectations
Social Security is a primary income source for most people aged 65 and older. You can start your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, if you start to receive your benefits early, your monthly Social Security…
Changes to your retirement savings
For those individuals saving for retirement in 2024, you received some good news from the IRS last week. The IRS announced the 2024 contribution limit increases of $500 for 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings…
Spousal benefits from Social Security
Being married comes with benefits – Social Security benefits – that is. When a worker files for retirement benefits, the worker’s spouse may be eligible for a benefit based on the worker’s earnings. The spousal benefit can be as much…
It’s a crisis that could have been easily avoided
Americans know, as you should by now, that the Social Security Trust fund is in trouble. The trustees reported the combined funds will pay 100 percent of scheduled benefits until 2034. In 2034, total fund income will be sufficient to…
Can better communication between spouses lead to more retirement savings?
New research shows that married couples who do not communicate with their spouse about saving for retirement lose, on average, almost $700 in savings every year. The study found that “24 percent of couples failed to coordinate their contributions to…
Social Security benefits and death
Social Security started providing survivor benefits in 1940; before this, the 1935 law only paid retirement benefits to the primary worker. Since that time, Social Security survivor benefits have been providing a safety net for loved ones of the deceased…
Three things you should know about Social Security
A day doesn’t go by without a doom and gloom article appearing on how the Social Security trust fund is going bankrupt. Yes, since 2021 the trust fund is being used to ensure full benefits and will be depleted in…
What to know about managing Medicare Part B premiums
In October, the Social Security Administration announced the 2024 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 3.2 percent, with the average Social Security benefit going up $50. Later, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 monthly Part B premium…
The ongoing battle over Medicare and Social Security
The newly elected Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has stated, “The greatest threat to our national security is our nation’s debt.” The Speaker has promised to establish a 16-member bipartisan commission to examine the Social Security and Medicare solvency…
Claiming as soon as possible could hurt your finances in more ways than one
You can start your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, if you start receiving benefits early, they are permanently reduced. Although there are times when starting your benefits at 62 is a good idea, if you…