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Beware of these senior financial regrets
Everyone’s dream is a stable, financially secure retirement. In March 2018, the folks at LendEDU commissioned a survey conducted by Pollfish where 1,000 people aged 65 or older were asked a variety of questions. Their answers to the question “What is the biggest financial regret…
What does “The Fed” have to do with Social Security?
The Federal Reserve (Fed) is in charge of the nation’s monetary policy. Most folks pay scant attention, though the media reports when the Fed raises interest rates (tightening the money supply) to dampen inflation and slow economic growth a bit. …
Five “tweaks” to Social Security figures for 2019
There are no wholesale changes to the Social Security program for 2019. But, as Matthew Frankel of The Motley Fool writes, there are five modest adjustments that take effect on January 1, 2019 as follows: first, the cost of living…
Early, Full, and Maximum Retirement Ages Defined & Explained
While one can claim retirement benefits as early as age 62, the monthly amount will be reduced. One need wait until full retirement age, also known as normal retirement age, to receive 100% of one’s benefit. This article details the gradual…
Make Social Security “Hip” with Millenials
Survey after survey reveals that Millennials are resigned to the idea that Social Security, as we know it, might not be there during their retirement. As Jamie Hopkins, professor of retirement planning at The American College of Financial Services, points out in…
These Hated Social Security Rules are Likely Here to Stay
Sean Williams of The Motley Fool discusses three Social Security rules he believes are not going anywhere. First is taxation of benefits. Though it comprises just 4% of Social Security revenue now, this is expected to increase over time. Congress…
Can Millenials really afford to ignore Social Security?
Millenials’ (those born 1981 to about 2000) views on Social Security have been written about for some time now. Many think the program will be bankrupt by their retirement and are thus discounting benefits altogether. A looming bankruptcy is untrue, though the…
Taking Social Security at age 66 versus 70
Writing in Forbes Magazine, Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of Economics at Boston University refutes a recent MarketWatch article advocating one should take Social Security benefits at age 66 rather than age 70, given Social Security’s financial problems. Kotlikoff acknowledges Social Security’s long term…
Beware banking too heavily on Social Security in retirement
Social Security was never designed to be one’s sole source of income in retirement. Currently, benefits replace only about 40% of pre-retirement income. Where will the difference come from? In this article Maurie Backman stresses the importance of 401k plans and…
Social Security for the six-figure income earner
Social Security is a universal program, meaning that all who contribute can expect to benefit, as long as basic criteria such as having 10 years of earnings, among others, being met. This article by Selena Maranjian of The Motley Fool discusses the…