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It’s the Season…Watch Out for These Scams!
It’s the time of the year when scammers and fraudsters ramp up their efforts to get a hand in your pocket (or at least in your checkbook). Karen Stiles, director of the TODAY’S TMJ4 Call 4 Action office, sounds the alarm…
Understanding the Maximum Social Security Benefit
The Motley Fool’s Dan Caplinger, in a post on their website, takes a detailed look at Social Security’s maximum benefit and how it changes from year-to-year. He explains the approach necessary to getting the most that you can from Social…
A Little-Known Way To Boost Social Security Benefits
Katie Brockman notes that the Social Security Administration does not typically let filers know which types of benefits they are eligible for, so it’s up to people to do their research and apply for the benefits they are entitled to receive. Delaying the filing and working…
Social Security’s Commissioner Speaks On Improving Service
Andrew Saul, age 73, is the nation’s Social Security commissioner. He made remarks that outline his priorities for the Social Security Administration and its 60,000 employees. Improving and modernizing technology and getting more employees back on the front lines are central…
Changes To Social Security You Need To Know For 2020
While actual Social Security law has not changed in decades, there are some provisions that adjust due to inflation and the final phase-in from the last reform in 1983. InsuranceNewsNet Senior Editor John Hilton provides a recap in this article. First, benefits are…
An Argument For Claiming Social Security Early
Maurie Backman explains in this piece the usual reasons for delaying Social Security benefits at age 62 to full retirement age (66-67 depending on birth year) or even to age 70. Backman describes the formula for reducing benefits. But she…
Beware of Cookie-cutter Rules on Retirement
Kailey Hagen of The Motley Fool cautions against adhering to these three very simplified and well-known rules for retirement: 1. You need $1 million for retirement; 2. The 4% retirement withdrawal rule; 3. You’ll spend 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income…
Three Social Security Traps to Avoid
Mark Singer of The Daily item Staff writes about three mistakes people make that can cost them money when they claim Social Security benefits. Singer explains the pros and of deferring spousal benefits as well as the pitfalls of remarriage as…
4 Reasons To Not Count on Social Security in Retirement
Social Security is an important program to all who contribute and/or receive benefits. But, Maurie Backman suggests younger people who are not yet collecting should not necessarily count on those benefits, as in not factor them in to any retirement…
How to Retire Rich When You Haven’t Started Saving Yet
Katie Brockman explains in this piece how personal savings is becoming the most important and critical piece to retirement. Pensions are going away. Social Security only replaces about 40% of pre-retirement income, and the program is facing insolvency. Never has…