Latest News
Some Social Security History on Age 65 as the “Standard” Retirement Milestone
Even though age 67 is today the full retirement age for those born in 1960 or later, many retirement analysts and news articles persistently refer to age 65 as the basis for workforce projections. In fact, age 65 seems to…
Clearing up Confusion About Survivor Benefits and the Restricted Application
Spousal benefits are often confused with survivor benefits, and both areas of the Social Security rulebook are well-documented with specific guidelines. There was, however, a “loophole” that savvy retirement planners could exploit to improve a couple’s combined benefits through a…
Retirement Planning: It’s Important to Play the Long Game
The importance of getting an early start on financial planning for retirement can be hard to grasp, especially for younger workers at the outset of a long career. But, with continued growth in longevity, coupled with the uncertainties that come…
Thoughts on Addressing Social Security’s Insolvency Problem
With the full depletion of Social Security’s trust funds rapidly approaching, it seems the media world is waking up to what could happen. And the more wide awake the media world becomes, the more worried those affected by what could…
Further Means Testing Recommended for Social Security
As the projected date of trust fund full depletion moves closer–it’s most recently been estimated for 2032, a mere six years away–activity on the proposal front is building. This is certainly a welcome trend, given the lack of attention Congress…
Social Security Numbers Involved in Signigificant Fraud, Study Finds
If you’ve ever needed an incentive to protect your Social Security number (SSN), check out the fraud stats outlined in this report by The Epoch Times’ data journalist Sylvia Xu (click here to read). In a recap of the U.S.…
2027 COLA Watch: Beware the “Trump Bump”
The recent surge in oil prices has the media aflutter with projections of a substantial increase in next year’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), perhaps as much as 15%. Of course, that’s a good news/bad news story, since COLA reflects…
A Reminder for Widow(ers) and Divorced Spouses in the Wake of HR 82
Last year’s passage of HR 82 (the so-called “Social Security Fairness Act of 2023“) changed the landscape for millions of current and future beneficiaries, with some of the changes affecting surviving spouses and divorcees. A recent post by NJ.com Trending…
SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026
Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) introduced new legislation to change a longstanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rule that can reduce benefits for seniors and people with disabilities simply because they receive basic help from family, friends,…
Stress-test your retirement plan regularly
Retirement planning is not set in stone; things change, such as inflation and changes in tax policy; however, some things don’t. Many retirees overlook the cost of healthcare and long-term care in retirement. Jonathan Ponciano, writing for Investopedia, asks if…