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Social Security for Singles
The claiming strategy for an unmarried person is significantly different from that for a married couple. While married couples have more options to consider, and may have different goals (such as maximizing survivor benefits) they might wish to achieve, a…
Social Security’s Online Services
The Social Security Administration is inexorably evolving toward more and more online services, recognizing that in today’s internet-enabled world, many Americans prefer to do business from the comfort of their own home using their home computer or other online devices. Of…
Social Security Benefits for “Non-Traditional Families”
There is little question that our traditional society has changed, with “non-traditional families” evolving as somewhat common in today’s American society. Social Security’s rules, however, are based largely upon the traditional family definition. So, the question that might naturally be asked is…
Advice About Scams from the Social Security Administration
Many of us have received scam telephone calls, trying to con us into revealing personal information with which the scammer can steal our money. And, of course, a favorite target is America’s senior citizens, especially those on Social Security. In this…
Which to Choose: Paying Off Debts, or Saving More For Retirement?
Which is better – entering retirement completely debt-free, or with a larger nest egg? Of course, achieving both would be the best possible scenario, but that’s probably not realistic for most retirees. So which is better? In this article by Ted…
No Surprise: Americans Are Less Confident About Their Retirement Due To Pandemic
In what might be considered a profound statement of the obvious, results of a recent study by two respected financial organizations found that Americans are generally less confident about achieving a comfortable retirement because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was particularly true…
A Guide to Social Security’s Acronyms and Terminology
Social Security uses a bewildering array of acronyms, which can easily confuse those who aren’t familiar. For example, the acronym “SSI” which is used by Social Security to designate “Supplemental Security Income” (a low income disability general benefit program available…
Retirement Decisions That Will Hurt You
When it comes to retirement, planning ahead is paramount to ensuring a comfortable stay in your so-called “golden years.” But even with a well-thought-out retirement plan, it’s easy to make mistakes that can throw your plan completely off track –…
Social Security Using Video Hearings to Expedite Appeals
Stimulated largely by the COVID-19 pandemic which shuttered all Social Security offices to public access, the Agency has announced that appeal hearings conducted by Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) will now be held using video meeting technology provided by Microsoft. Launched…
More on the “Notch Issue” For Those Born in 1960.
As has been reported for a number of weeks now, the pandemic will likely have a unique negative effect on Social Security for those born in 1960. Often referred to as a “notch” issue, those born in that year will be…