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Want to earn the maximum Social Security benefit? Here’s what to do.
The maximum monthly benefit available from Social Security in 2026 will be $5,251, or $63,012 annually. That’s an attractive target, of course, but very, very few workers will reach that level of payment. It’s a lofty goal, of course, but…
Understanding the long-term effects of two key Social Changes in 2026
Many of Social Security’s myriad details change annually, so 2026 is no different in that respect. There are, however, two fundamental provisions that should be understood by those not yet drawing benefits. They’re important because they affect future benefits. Check…
Reminder: Retirement Plan Contribution Limits for 2026
As we cruise toward the end of 2025, many of us are actively planning our financial moves for the coming year. One area of planning involves preparing for tax season, while another closely related area involves continued financial planning for…
The “Retirement Readiness” dilemma: Some signs to watch for.
The decision to step away from a lifetime career, or even from a more recent job change, is a significant milestone—no question about that. There are many competing thoughts that make this decision anything but easy. So, if you’re at…
Understanding Survivor Benefits
The death of a spouse is generally a traumatic event in a couple’s life and, in so many instances, causes considerable stress for the survivor left to navigate the financial decisions in the future. While the basic rules governing the…
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…