Latest News
Small Medicare premium increase is good news
Though garnering considerably less attention than the 2.8% raise most will see in their Social Security check, the news that the Medicare Part B premium will increase a relatively small amount is good news indeed for those whose Part B premium…
The payroll tax cap is rising in 2019
The payroll tax cap – the maximum amount of earnings that a worker must pay Social Security FICA taxes on – is going up for 2019. That really shouldn’t be thought of as surprising news, since the cap goes up…
On obsessing about retirement planning
To be certain, planning for your eventual retirement is a good thing, which nearly everyone will tell you should start early in your career to build that million dollar nest egg that will assure you of a comfortable “Life of…
Medicare Advantage Plans gaining in choice and popularity
Medicare Advantage Plans, known as Medicare Part C, seem to be stealing the spotlight during this year’s Open Enrollment Period. After the number of Advantage plans dropped severely between 2010 and 1017, Plan offerings have increased dramatically starting in 2018,…
Will the 2.8% COLA make a difference for you?
On the heels of the announcement that Social Security recipients will get a 2.8% raise in 2019, this Motley Fool article by Maurie Backman explains what that increase means to the average beneficiary, but also reveals that Social Security shouldn’t be…
Avoiding poverty in retirement
No question about it, the announcement that Social Security checks will be 2.8% bigger in 2019 is good news for America’s seniors. But will that average $39 per month increase be the difference that keeps you above the national “poverty…
Social Security stories from an expert
In this edition of Kiplinger.com, Nancy Fleming – a Certified Financial Planner – shares some stories about people she has counseled on Social Security matters. There are a wide variety of Social Security scenarios she relates on topics such as…
Claiming Social Security at 62 can be the right choice
Many Social Security Advisors and Financial Consultants will suggest you delay applying for your Social Security benefits as long as possible because your benefit amount will continue to grow until you are 70 years of age. But there are certain…
Filing for Social Security online is easy, even a “restricted application”
Perhaps a trip to your local, usually crowded Social Security office to wait your turn in the queue isn’t high on your list of favorite things to do. Sometimes, even calling Social Security can require you to exercise controlled patience with a possible…
How to make the most of your 2019 COLA increase
The recently announced COLA increase means that the average beneficiary will be getting about $39 per month ($468 per year) more than they are getting this year. That number varies, of course, based upon whether your actual benefit is less…