Latest News
SSA requesting input on chronic pain for disability purposes
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program which provides income for eligible workers who become totally disabled. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a sister government “means-tested” program which provide supplemental income for disabled children and disabled seniors with very…
File your income tax return early to protect against IRS scammers
Scammers don’t only target your Social Security benefits; they also target your Federal income tax refund. Once they have your personal information they can fairly easily file a fraudulent Federal income tax return to claim a refund and have it…
65 is when you should take Medicare, but it isn’t your Social Security “full retirement age”
Many people are under the false impression that because age 65 is when you become eligible for Medicare, that is the same age at which you should apply for Social Security. And that is absolutely not true. For anyone claiming Social…
Need your SSA-1099 for taxes? Here’s how to get it
We’re now into the annual income tax season, which can be a time of stress for anyone trying to locate and compile all the various forms and receipts needed to complete your Federal and State income tax returns. The Social…
How does Social Security fit into your retirement plan?
As described in this Forbes article, “While almost everyone can be eligible for Social Security, the ideal time to begin receiving benefits is unique to each person.” Social Security was never intended to be your sole source of retirement income, so…
The non-financial aspects of retirement planning
Sure, financial planning is a crucial component of any retirement plan; after all, your retirement isn’t going to be very comfortable if you don’t have the money you need to enjoy life. But, there are other, non-financial aspects of retirement…
Most popular filing age? 62, but why?
Age 62 is by far the most popular age at which people apply for their Social Security benefits. The reasons are varied, from being forced into retirement early or that they simply need the extra money to support their lifestyle, but it…
Scammers are still trying to get your Social Security information!
It seems to be a recurring news item that scammers impersonating Social Security call unsuspecting seniors and threaten that their benefits will stopped unless they provide personal information, or even pay a fee by credit card over the phone. It…
Dem’s new plan to make Social Security solvent
With a great deal of fanfare, supported and apparently endorsed by the NY Times, Congressional Democrat’s unveiled their new plan to increase Social Security benefits while at the same time predicting that through raised payroll taxes it will resolve the…
Women have unique planning needs for Social Security
Social Security is, of course, a mainstay of the financial well being for millions of American men and women. Women, however, have some unique reasons why they must be especially strategic when planning how Social Security fits into the broader retirement…