Latest News
Social Security Administration Releases an Update on the Effect of the Government Shutdown on Its Services.
Even though the Government is temporarily shut down, monthly Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will continue. The SSA is encouraging everyone to utilize their My Social Security Account …. online during the shutdown. You can view…
New Retirement Withdrawal Rate in 2026
If you are in your first year of mandatory withdrawals, the following article offers you some quidelines on how much to withdraw in your first year. The goal is to ensure your retirement funds last at least 30 years. The…
People sixty-five or older may receive a higher tax deduction on their 2025 Tax Return
A lot of people were hoping to see the taxation of Social Security benefits end; however, that did not happen. However, included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) that did pass is included an additional $6,000 tax deduction for…
Retirement Thoughts: What are concerns most future retirees?
For many future retirees, the goal was to increase savings to a level that would be comforting, and for many, that meant a seven-figure balance in their cash-asset ledger. Things have changed a bit. A recent BlackRock survey, for example, indicates that…
Protecing Your Social Security Number: Some Things You Should Know
The prevalence of Social Security numbers in fraud situations is well known in today’s hectic world of commerce. Most of us are frequently asked to provide this identifier when entering into banking arrangements, pursuing employment, seeking medical assistance, and so…
Social Security’s looming insolvency and peparatory steps you can consider
Most who are tuned in to Social Security’s problems are aware of the projected — and fast-approaching — insolvency. It’s frequently covered in the news media, and is a frequent topic addressed here on this website. Most experts do not…
Financial Experts Comment on Social Security and Trump Accounts
As noted in an earlier post today, Trump Accounts are off and running. So, how do they relate to Social Security, especially with respect to the long-term retirement picture for today’s younger workers. This topic was the subject of an…
Words of Wisdom on Social Security, Beginning with When Benefits Hit Your Checkbook
As we often do here on this website, we are channeling insights today from the venerable Tom Margenau, a 32-year veteran of Social Security administrative positions. In this piece, he begins with an observation about the mistake of taking uninformed…
“Trump Accounts” Hit the Street Running
The tax-advantaged savings opportunities created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act offer a pathway to wealth accumulation that could help address a long-standing challenge for future retirees: the lack of financial resources to replace pre-retirement earnings when Social Security…
Social Security Eligibility and Work Credits–An Annually Changing Scenario
With all the hoopla about the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits, compounded by its erosion due to Medicare Part B increases, it’s easy to see why changes to the earnings requirement for work credits can go unnoticed. After…