Latest News
What day will the officials announce the 2023’s COLA increase?
The Cost-Of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is not eroded by inflation. It is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage…
Is Claiming Social Security at 62 Right for You?
Fact is, age 62 is the most popular age that Americans claim their Social Security benefits. For many, they do so simply because they can, after working and contributing to the program for their entire lifetime. And, sometimes, claiming at…
The Real Reason Your Medicare Premium is Going Down in 2023
On the heels of the announcement by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) that Part B premiums will go down in 2023 (see yesterday’s headline article on this site), politicians are clamoring to take credit for the decrease. Reality…
Denied Social Security Disability? This May be Why
Statistically, about 2/3rds of all applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are denied. That seems like a very large percentage, but reality is that many of the denied applications meet that fate for simple reasons. Among the things…
The Elusive Maximum Social Security Benefit
The maximum Social Security benefit anyone can get if claiming in 2022 is $4,194, but achieving that maximum is a goal largely out of reach for most Americans. Why? Because you would need to have earned more than the payroll…
Notifying Social Security of Changes to your Status is Important
Speaking to a friend recently, he revealed that he had not notified Social Security of his address change since he moved six years ago. I asked how he was getting his year-end Social Security statements, and he shared that he’s…
Bill Would Change Social Security
A legislative bill to be soon introduced in Congress would make changes to the Social Security program, increasing benefits for many, changing how COLA (cost of living adjustment) is computed, and increasing payroll taxes on higher earners. This, of course,…
A Social Security Primer
Social Security is, inarguably, the nation’s most important poverty reduction program, providing monthly benefits to over 65 million Americans. But despite its importance, a large portion of those who will one day almost certainly rely on Social Security know precious…
Nest Egg Withdrawals During a Bear Market
Some say we’re already in a recession, while others say recession is only near. Regardless of who’s right, one thing is for sure – the stock market has been very volatile, with the trend decidedly downward. And withdrawing investments to…
Social Security, on the Horizon (2023)
The year 2023 is fast approaching and, as is normal, along with its arrival will come several changes to the Social Security program. The change getting much national attention right now is expressed in often breathless predictions of a historically…