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Is early retirement in your plans? If so, read on.
During the doldrums of a long career, or while enduring the pressure situations that many jobs create, it’s not uncommon to dream about jumping ship at the earliest opportunity. If that fits you mindset, great, but there are some points…
The pitfalls of remaining clueless in retirement financing
Recent publications from Bankrate.com report that more than six in ten folks surveyed indicate that they have no clue about how much of a nest egg they’ll need to accumulate for retirement. With the lack of a goal comes the…
Staying in the workforce after retiring? Things to be aware of.
Many folks are electing to remain a part of the active workforce well into their retirement years (and well past what was once considered to be the “golden age” of 65). If you fall into that grouping, there are some…
A Different View on Social Security’s Solvency Issue
Despite the news articles and blog reports surfacing again in the wake of the 2018 Trustees Report and its dire predictions, not everyone is calling for a rush to judgement. Fox Business reporter Henry Fernandez recaps remarks by Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.)…
Questions on Suspending Benefits, the Earnings Test, and Survivor’s Benefits
Forbes contributor Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics at Boston University, a Fellow of the American Academy, a Research Associate of the NBER, and President of Economic Security Planning, Inc. addresses a series of questions associated with Social Security’s complexities in a…
2018 Social Security Trustees Report: A concise summary
With the release yesterday of the 2018 Social Security Trustees’ Report, we have already seen a panoply of “news” articles analyzing the Report and offering opinions both positive and negative about the implications of this latest review of Social Security’s…
New protections for those needing a “representative payee”
In April of this year, a new law passed as H.R. 4547 bolstered Social Security’s Representative Payee program to provide more protection for beneficiaries needing such support. A “representative payee” is a person who is designated to receive and manage…
Wasting spending by Social Security spotlighted in Congress
In a strongly worded admonishment of the Social Security Administration (SSA), an Arkansas Congressman’s letter demanded explanations for recently discovered wasteful spending by the SSA. According to a GAO (General Accounting Office) report, the SSA overpaid disability benefits to the tune of…
Here’s why you shouldn’t claim Social Security at age 65
For a lot of years, age 65 was viewed as the “normal” age at which a person should or would retire, so it’s not surprising that some folks still hold that view. And that thought is reinforced by 65 being the age…
How State pensions can affect Social Security
Unfortunately for the employees of about 15 U.S. States, pensions from their State employment can have a pretty devastating affect on any Social Security benefits they may also be entitled to receive. Those who earn a pension from a State…