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Why it doesn’t matter when you begin Soc Sec — in theory
“In theory” are the key words as to why it matters not the age one claims Social Security. The reason is you should end up with about the exact same benefits, but again, that is “in theory.” If one lives…
Small COLA Predicted. But there WILL Be One
Dan Caplinger of The Motley Fool takes readers through how the Social Security Administration uses price increases from July, August, and September as compared to the previous year using those months to figure the cost of living adjustment (COLA) Social Security recipients will…
Sage Retirement Advice During Unsettling Times
To say the least, stock market volatility during 2020 has been unsettling to most retirees and near-retirees. But the large downturn in the market earlier in the year has been largely recovered as the market rebounded later in the year. Which…
Working While Collecting Early Social Security
Some might call it a sneaky Social Security rule, and it does catch a lot of Social Security recipients by surprise, but the so-called “retirement earnings test” or “RET” has been around for a lot of years. Essentially, anyone who…
Unsettling Forecast for Social Security’s Future
It’s not really new news that Social Security will be facing future financial difficulties because the program’s costs now exceed the amount of revenue received from working Americans. At the end of last year, Social Security’s Trustees were predicting that…
Are You Ready to Claim Social Security?
Are you ready to make one of the most important financial decisions of your life? Well deciding when to claim your Social Security benefit is almost certainly is at least one of the most important because, if you’re like most…
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…