Latest News
Social Security isn’t going away
Despite what you may hear from media pundits who like to dramatize, the Social Security program isn’t going away. Yes, the program does have financial issues which could impact benefits in the future and which need the attention of Congress,…
Social Security disability trending toward lower program costs
Little changed in the most recent Social Security Trustees’ Report, which still shows a projected depletion of the Trust Funds by 2034, meaning a potential cut in benefits. However the Trustees did not adjust their assumptions regarding the Social Security Disability…
Social Security Disability: How an appeal hearing works
About 2 out of every 3 Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims are initially rejected, but fortunately there is an appeals process if you feel your claim has been unfairly denied. Appealing a denial is your right, from requesting reconsideration…
Does recent GOP tax and DACA legislation affect Social Security?
The wailing and hyperbole from the left side of the aisle would lead you to believe that recent GOP legislation for tax cuts and job improvement, as well as the rescission of the DACA (“Dreamers”) program, would devastate the Social…
Here’s what to do in your first summer of retirement
Probably each of us has daydreamed at work about all of the neat things we’d like to do this summer. The sun shinning through those office windows seems to beckon us to come out and enjoy. Well, after 40 or…
A hedge for Social Security’s woes: Build your savings
A pretty big, but not so pretty, milestone will occur this year when Social Security taps into its Trust Fund to pay out benefits. This is a harbinger of what Social Security’s Trustees have been warning us about for years –…
Short on retirement savings? Work longer
It’s pretty well known, and many news articles even headline it: America has a “savings crisis”; that is, far too many people approaching retirement don’t have enough money saved to ensure it’s a comfortable one. If that’s an issue which concerns…
Want to retire richer? Here’s how
Of course you do!! Everyone wants their retirement to be as financially secure as possible. But if you’re relying on Social Security alone to provide your retirement income you’re going to be sorely disappointed – you’ll need other income to…
Working during retirement, and how to customize it to suit you
A new reality is rapidly emerging, and that is that “retirement” is no longer thought of as “not working” by more and more people. Face it, going from a lifetime of 40+ hour work weeks to sitting idle and not keeping your…
The “FICA” payroll tax: An explanation
All of us who work and earn can see on each and every pay stub that a “payroll tax” or “FICA” (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) tax is withheld from our hard earned wages. And since it reduces our take-home pay,…