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A Quick Primer on Survivor Benefits
In this article by Liz Weston appearing in The Oregonian, the author answers a question from a reader who lost her husband and doesn’t understand why she doesn’t now get a higher Social Security benefit as a surviving spouse. As…
A New Year Brings Changes to Social Security
As each new year approaches, Social Security announces the changes that will affect benefits in the coming year. Most people have already heard that a Cost of Living Adjustment of 5.9% – the highest in decades – will be applied…
Falling Birthrates and the Impact on Social Security
The long-term financial uncertainty faced by Social Security is becoming a well-known fact these days, with the most recent Trustees Report warning of a potential across-the-board cut in benefits in about a decade from now. In studying the problem, it…
Diagnosed with Cancer? Social Security and Triage Cancer Can Help
(Source: Social Security Administration) When people hear the dreaded words, “You have cancer,” many thoughts often overwhelm them. They think about their health, family, and mortality. They think about treatment options, oncologists, and cancer centers. What they typically don’t think…
Anxious to See Your New Benefit Amount? There’s a Way to Jump the Line.
The Social Security Administration is sending out letters to inform beneficiaries of what their newly adjusted monthly payment will be in January, and you will get yours eventually. If you want to find out sooner–as in right now–there’s a way…
IRS Offers Additional Security for Social Security Numbers
In case you weren’t aware, the Internal Revenue Service next month will be offering an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) program designed to proactively protect taxpayers against identity theft. As explained in a post on cpapracticeadvisor.com, the IP…
Getting “Additional Social Security Benefits” as a Result of Military Service
An article posted today on GoBankingRates.com suggests that certain Veterans may have an opportunity to “boost” the amount of their Social Security benefit check, depending on when they served in active duty. This is an area where the AMAC Foundation’s…
The “Average” Social Security Benefit
The Motley Fool’s Christy Bieber, in an article posted on their website, reports on the increase in the average monthly Social Security benefit payment for 2022. While she notes that it has increased by $92 as a result of the…
Filing Early? Be Certain You Understand the Implications.
Believe it or not, filing for Social Security benefits at the earliest possible age (62) is still statistically the most popular choice. There may be valid reasons why some folks make this choice, but one wonders if those who do…
Retirement Security: Understanding (and Dealing With) Financial UNcertainties
Much has been written in financial media about the simple premise that Americans typically do not–or are not able to–save sufficiently to ensure a comfortable retirement. In a post by Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies carried on prnewswire.com, the key indicators of retirement…