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A “Heads-Up” for Representative Payees
Beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments may elect, or have elected for them, a Representative Payee. This individual, generally family member or family friend, manages the payments on behalf of the…
Understanding the Two Social Security “Do Over” Options
Many folks opt to begin drawing their earned Social Security benefits at the earliest possible age (62), and after the fact realize the long-term implications of accepting the reduced monthly benefit. Or, their financial circumstances change after beginning benefits causing…
Some Basics on When and How to File for Social Security
Social Security probably looks fairly complicated for those approaching eligibility for benefits, but for a major portion of the population, the process is somewhat straightforward. There are just some basic (and deceptively simple) questions to ask, like what’s the best…
Here We Go Again…a Government Shutdown is in the News. What about Social Security?
ALERT: Last evening, the House approved a continuing resolution deferring the fight on appropriation measures until early 2024. We’ll revisit the contents of this post as the next deadline gets closer. It’s an interesting quandary for the newly-elected Speaker of…
Social Security and Medicare Sign-Up Coordination…Some Tips
One persistent rumor is that you need to sign up for Social Security benefits at the same time you file for Medicare. If you do not have medical coverage when you reach age 65, you can enroll in Medicare even…
Women and Social Security–An Explanation of Why Their Concerns are More Prominent
There is a disparity between the comfort levels men and women have with respect to the role that Social Security will play in their future retirement, according to the Women and Wealth segment of Northwestern Mutual’s 2023 Planning & Progress…
The Timing of Initial Disability Benefits Explained
Once approved, initial claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits still have a time period to wait through until monthly payments begin to flow. As explained in a post on en.as.com by researcher Maite Knorr-Evans, this five-month delay is…
A Cogent Article in Support of Claiming Social Security Early
Certainly, the conventional wisdom on when to begin drawing Social Security retirement benefits depends on several key factors, like your financial position, your expected longevity and family history, and so on. Despite those considerations, age 62 remains the most popular…
2024 Election Cycle Stoking Apprehension Among Those Planning for Retirement
As is true in most planning scenarios–and most definitely in financial planning exercises like those associated with eventual retirement–the unknowns are the factors that make any plan, well, just a plan. And when you talk about unknowns, this famous quote…
Considering Drawing Benefits at Age 62? Here’s Something More to Think About.
The earliest year of Social Security eligibility is age 62. Most folks approaching that age know this, and it is still the most popular age for initial filing. But one thing that tends to get lost in the excitement of…