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Answer 3 Questions to Help Determine Your Retirement Date
Christy Bieber helps people answer the sometimes tough question of when to retire. A key point in selecting an age between 62 and 70, at least as far as electing when to begin Social Security monthly benefits, is this: Would…
5 Reasons Why More Stimulus Checks Aren’t the Answer
Who doesn’t like free money? Of course, there is no such thing. Our federal government can only borrow if it wishes to spend more than it takes in through taxes. Funds must be repaid to those who lent it, Americans…
8 Tips for Retiring Comfortably on Social Security Alone
Experts try to remind the public often that Social Security replaces just 40% of pre-retirement income. In other words, not only can you not live on it, but it was never designed for that purpose either. It’s but one pillar…
Americans Think Social Security Will Let Them Down
Maurie Backman reports on Northwestern Mutual’s 2020 Planning & Progress Study that found 20% of U.S. adults aged 18+ think it’s unlikely that Social Security will be there when they’re ready to claim it. Indeed, the unemployment caused by the ongoing pandemic…
Avoid Shrinking Your Social Security Check
Christy Bieber notes that Social Security is the most important source of income for retirees, and thus one should not make this mistake that will permanently reduce monthly benefit checks for life– failing to work the maximum years. Social Security…
Stimulus Update– A Moving Target
Seniors, like most Americans, are watching the current stimulus talks carefully between both houses of Congress and The White House. Retired seniors have arguably been affected much less than others in the case of job losses and pay cuts. The talks had…
Push Yourself to Delay Social Security as Long as Possible
It might seem mind-numbing when reading advice on when to claim Social Security benefits. This one fact remains true, however– Social Security is designed to pay you the same total lifetime benefit regardless of when you initially file. Of course that assumes…
The Best Reason to Take Social Security Long Before Age 70
The literature often seems near unanimous on Social Security– wait as long as possible, even until age 70, to start benefits in order to maximize them for life. But as Katie Brockman reports here there’s one key reason you should consider…
How to Find Out How Much You’ll Get From Social Security at 62
Claim benefits at age 62 and forget about it. That’s what Americans seem to believe despite articles and advice that shows claiming then or at any age before full retirement age (now 67 for most) results in a permanent lifetime cut…
Should You Delay Retirement Due to the Pandemic?
According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2020 Planning & Progress Study 20% of adults aged 18 and over now plan to delay retirement because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Maurie Backman explains the study and whether it is right for you. The answer depends on…