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Social Security issues warning about phone scams
The problem of criminals posing as Social Security agents calling unsuspecting seniors has grown in sufficient proportions that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is making a public service announcement. The announcement, to be made on national TV and radio stations…
Candidate wants to give Social Security to illegal aliens
In a somewhat bizarre reversal of her previous stance, and perhaps in a thinly veiled example of a politician’s propensity to say anything to get elected, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand – the latest entry into the Democratic presidential candidate pool – called for…
Where you live affects how far Social Security will go
Of course, the actual amount of everyone’s Social Security benefit is different, but the “average beneficiary” receives $1464 per month in benefits (about $16,133 per year). Depending upon where you live, that amount could be enough to sustain you, or…
Applying for disability? Careful what you post on Social Media
As anyone who has applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can attest, the whole process can be daunting, especially if the initial application is denied and the applicant appeals. In an effort to reduced fraudulent SSDI claims, the…
Caution: Tax Season equals Scam Season too!
It’s almost like a rite of spring – income tax season seems to bring a whole new bevy of scam and fraud schemes, all designed to get at your money. As stated in this article, no Government agency – not the IRS,…
Will you pay income tax on your Social Security benefits?
Many are surprised to find that their Social Security benefits may be taxable income. If your “combined income” – that is all of your other income plus 50% of your Social Security income – exceeds certain levels, your benefits may…
Workplace Retirement Plans: A solution for the retirement crisis?
There’s little question that workplace retirement savings plans – think 401(k), IRA or any other qualified retirement savings plan – work well and add much to the retirement security of American workers. Indeed, 4 out of 5 workers with access to…
Proposed “Cradle Act” would add to America’s retirement crisis
A Congressional bill known as “The Cradle Act” was recently introduced in Congress proposing to use future Social Security benefits to pay for parental leave earlier in life. The concept under the Act, is that parents could get early benefits during a…
Retirement planning: Your finances aren’t the only thing to plan for
Nearly all retirement planning exercises focus almost entirely on money, how to accumulate it, the amount of savings needed, and how to draw upon it during retirement. But, an equally important consideration is how you wish your retirement to be…
Small nest egg won’t last a lifetime; but a larger Social Security payment will help
In this USA Today financial article by columnist Peter Dunn, a reader questions whether his $80,000 nest egg and small pension can sustain him in retirement. Mr. Dunn offers an evaluation of his predicament and counsels that the reader’s small nest…