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Collecting Benefits on an Ex-Spouse’s Work Record–A Quick Review
The availability of benefits based on an ex-spouse’s work record is somewhat of an unknown to many. It’s especially a welcome surprise to many, as well. But, as there are in many (most) areas of Social Security there are rules…
Getting the Most Out of Social Security…It takes Some Careful Planning
Building on the Social Security premise espoused by President Dwight D. Eisenhower decades ago, it’s important to keep the program’s basic purpose in focus. President Eisenhower’s comment adds a classic perspective: ( Social Security) “is not intended as a substitute…
Getting Set For Retirement? Some Important Steps to Take
The decision to claim you Social Security benefits requires quite a bit of thought, as well as an understanding of the fundamental rules you’ll need to navigate. But before you begin to dig in earnestly, there are three very basic…
Viewpoints on the Insolvency Issue–Who Needs to Worry?
The Motley Fool’s Christy Bieber dives into the issue of why some future retirees need to be concerned about the potential across-the-board cut in Social Security benefits when the financial reserves run dry. As she points out in a post on…
Pop Quiz Time: 13 Things You Need to Know About Social Security
From time to time, we include on this site “refresher” type quizzes covering Social Security basics. It’s always a good time to check your understanding of some of the basics of this critical senior benefit program, since a lack of…
Social Security and End-of-Life Considerations
The question of how to handle Social Security matters when a beneficiary dies is not quite as simple as you would think. For example, there’s the issue of handling the beneficiary’s last check. And then there’s the matter of ensuring…
An Update on Spousal Benefits and Some Details You May Not Know
Social Security has myriad rules and regulations, and many times not knowing some of the key points can cause certain benefit opportunities to be overlooked. This is true in the case of spousal benefits, and particularly in the area of…
The Importance of Social Security Numbers in Preventing Identity Theft
You may have wondered why we frequently post articles on this site dealing with the scams and fraud activities preying on Americans in general but seniors in particular. That’s because this is a pervasive issue, with new scam opportunities popping…
Survey Points to Feelings of Retirement Insecurity Among Women
A survey sponsored by the National Council on Aging and the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement. The poll of 1200 U.S. women aged 25 and older, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Lake Research Partners, reports that more than…
Social Security’s Insolvency Problem: Understanding the Challenge
Much has been written through the years about the looming insolvency problem facing Social Security, now just about nine years from now. It’s new news…the program’s trustees have been sounding the alarm for nearly three decades while the can gets…