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Rise and Fall in Cases Pending an Administrative Law Judge Hearing: New Actuarial Study
(Source: Social Security Administration) The “great recession” that began at the end of 2007 contributed to a rise in initial applications for Social Security disability benefits that peaked in 2010. This surge in initial applications led to a similar rise…
Gen X and Social Security: A Changing Landscape
A recent MetLife study, titled “Study on Gen X: The MTV Generation Moves Into Midlife,” concluded that the population group referred to as Generation X (those with birth years ranging from the early-to-mid 1960s to the early 1980s) have come to understand…
Right vs. Wrong: A Look at America
Star-Herald publisher Greg Awtry shares some Memorial Day-type thoughts on America, with a specific focus on a long list of comparisons of rights and wrongs that go a long way toward defining the challenges we face. Among his list of comparisons…
Valuable retirement charts worth examining
Having a retirement plan can mean the difference between a stressful retirement, where you struggle to make ends meet, and a financially secure retirement. There are a few good rules to follow for those who want to execute a smart…
401k Balances Need Help?
As you hurtle toward retirement, it may become evident to you that the balances in your deferred compensation/401k plans are in need to attention. If so, you’re not alone: wage-earners aged 44 to 49 report just $6,200 in retirement savings, according to…
Costly retirement mistakes to avoid
Majority of us look forward to retirement, imagining doing all the things we haven’t had sufficient time for while we were busy working. But having a pleasant and secure retirement depends on how well you prepare and on how many…
Will you depend on Social Security to be your major source of income
Although only 36 percent of people say they expect to depend on Social Security as a major source of income, reality is, 67 percent of retirees actually end up depending on it. Combines with a recent study from the Insured…
Challenges faced by women in preserving their 401(k) savings
New data compiled by Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) indicates that women with small 401k balances cash out much more frequently than their male counterparts; however, once the balances grow, women are more likely to preserve their retirement savings. Each year an estimated…
Retirees are moving less and less
According to a study by United Income, a financial advisory firm for older people, retirees are apparently both wealthier than ever and are moving less and less. Even those who do move, the vast majority stay in the same town or…
Octogenarians are comfortable with their finances according to recent survey
A survey from the Society of Actuaries found 78 percent of retirees ages 85 and older say they are at least somewhat secure in their finances, with 33 percent reporting they are very secure. By comparison, a significant number of…