Latest News
SSA Commissioner Details Plans for AI Deployment
In a piece related to today’s earlier “Latest News” post here, Selfemployed.com staff editor Emily Luderdale follows up on Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano’s recent public statements on the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) concepts into the agency’s operations in…
Social Security Problems: AI to the Rescue?
The recent back-and-forth policy positions on field office contacts have created confusion for the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) customer base. At the same time, the roughly 400,000 callers each day continue to face hold times of more than an hour.…
Looking Ahead to Your Social Security Benefit
Whether you’re just looking at averages or have seen your forecasted benefit amount at full retirement age, you may have been surprised at the level of payment you’ll receive. The fact that Social Security is only intended, on average, to…
Grads: Social Security Will be There for You, But It Won’t Be Enough
Young folks stepping into a career aren’t likely to pay much attention to the other end of the spectrum…their retirement years. That’s a given, and besides, Social Security will be there when it’s needed, despite the hoopla about insolvency, benefit…
Heavy Traffic Ahead for Serniors Needing to Interact with Social Security Field Personnel
Several staff cuts, operational modifications, and procedural changes have been implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to achieve cost savings across the Social Security spectrum. While that may produce the desired spending reductions, it will also exacerbate the…
Speculation on the Big, Beautiful Bill’s Impact on Seniors
What’s in it, what’s out of it? When will it pass? Which Senators oppose it? Which Senators support it? What changes will the Senate make? And so on. There is considerable confusion caused by the unknowns, especially given the public…
Dissecting the “No Tax on Tips” Provision in the Tax Bill
There has been considerable speculation about the Trump Administration’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” and its potential impact on Social Security. Attracting the most attention, naturally, was the disappearance of the “No Tax on Social Security” pledge, which was covered in a…
“Clean-Up” of Social Security Records Continues, Driven by DOGE
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reports that as of late last week, a major step in the clean-up of Social Security master file records has been completed. DOGE’s “X” post notes, “After 11 weeks, @SocialSecurity has finished this major…
Social Security’s Average Monthly Benefit Hits a New Milestone
The month of May is expected to see the average monthly benefit for retired workers reach the $2,000 level for the first time in history. For a quick comparison, the average benefit at the same point in 2015 was $1,363,…
Carrying Debt Into Retirement…a “Generational Time Bomb”
Noted entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary offers sobering thoughts on a trend emerging in the retirement world: seniors moving into that life phase with a heavy debt load. In a recent post on thestreet.com, O’Leary observes: “Nearly two-thirds of families led by…