Latest News
The states that take a bite out of Social Security
One of the surprises that new retirees experience is taxes. Many retirees are not aware that several states do tax Social Security benefits. However, even if you manage to avoid state taxes on your Social Security benefit, you may be…
It’s time to review your retirement plans
December is not just for Christmas shopping, but it is the time to review your retirement plans as well as a few last-minute tax benefits. Leaving retirement planning and tax optimization strategies until the last moment, you could find yourself…
Congress is still looking at changes to the retirement system
Although two years after Congress passed the 2019 Secure Act, lawmakers’ efforts have been slow to make further improvements to the U.S. retirement system. With the House committee unanimously approving the RISE (Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower) Act, supporters are…
The rules for Social Security that are changing in 2022
Certain Social Security rules change every year, while others remain steadfast. These rules that are changing will affect both current workers and retirees. What are these changes? Christy Bieber outlines the seven changes that could affect current and future retirees;…
Social Security’s outdated rules
The Social Security program has numerous rules that change yearly, but others are outdated. One of those rules that are outdated is the taxation of benefits. The taxation of Social Security began in 1984 following the passage of a set…
What is the Medicare Direct Contracting program?
What is the Medicare Direct Contracting pilot program? First, Medicare is administered either by traditional fee-for-service Medicare or Medicare Advantage. The Direct Contracting pilot program designed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid is a new way for private companies,…
How to increase your future Social Security checks
Among elderly Social Security beneficiaries, 37 percent of men and 42 percent of women receive 50 percent or more of their income from Social Security. And among elderly Social Security beneficiaries, 12 percent of men and 15 percent of women…
When will you see your COLA increase?
If you receive a Social Security check, you will soon see your COLA increase in your monthly payments. The cost-of-living adjustment is applied in December, but you do not receive the check until January. The payment dates are determined based…
Working while on Social Security
Social Security is flexible in some ways but in others not so much. One way Social Security is flexible is working while on Social Security. However, you need to understand the rules involved in working while collecting your benefits. In…
3 Reasons You May Get Stuck With a Smaller Social Security Benefit
Maurie Backman warns readers that they may get a permanently reduced monthly Social Security benefit for life if they do three things. First, failing to work 35 years means less than otherwise, as “zeros” are factored into the calculation. Second,…