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How to get a bigger Social Security check
Yes, we know that you probably see many advertisements about how to “get $570 more Social Security” or “the $16,122 Social Security bonus most retirees overlook”, so you may be wondering – what exactly is the “secret” that these advertisers…
Here’s where $80 billion in monthly Social Security payments go
Every month, the Social Security Administration pays beneficiaries just shy of $80 billion in Social Security benefits. Although the bulk of these payments – nearly $60 billion worth – go to retiree’s, the rest goes to spouses, survivor’s and dependent…
Taxing your Social Security income, and how to soften the blow
Many people who start their Social Security benefits get a big surprise when they file their Federal income tax: Social Security benefits may be taxable income if certain thresholds are exceeded. If you file your IRS Form 1040 as a…
A guide for when to claim Social Security
One of the most frequently ask questions most advisors get is “when should I claim Social Security”. That’s understandable, because there are so many variations of when is “best”, all driven by an individual’s personal circumstances. Typically an advisor will…
New Medicare cards: Another scam risk?
Starting next month and ongoing through April 2019, Medicare will be issuing new identification cards which will no longer carry your Social Security number but will rather use a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, or “MBI”. This is being done to lower…
Yet another Social Security reform idea
Even on Capitol Hill, discussions are ongoing and proposals and Congressional bills abound on how to fix Social Security’s financial issues. Yet reaching a viable solution in today’s political climate seems elusive, causing some to speculate on “outside-the-box” ideas on how…
A seldom thought of suggestion: Protect your child’s Social Security Number
With all of the news about massive data base hacking and the identity theft risk that exposes millions of us to, little if any thought is given to protecting your minor child’s credit rating and Social Security number. But cyber-criminals…
When filing for Social Security early makes sense
If you’re out of work, or in poor health, or simply want some extra money to enjoy your retirement when you’re younger, it makes a lot of sense to claim your Social Security benefits earlier than your full retirement age.…
The case for delaying your Social Security benefit
Just as there are several good reasons to claim your Social Security benefits early, there are also some very good reasons to delay claiming your benefits as long as you can, even up to age 70 when you’ll get the…
The case for not waiting to claim Social Security
More and more people are taking advantage of Social Security’s built in benefit growth which causes the size of your payment to increase for each month you delay claiming your benefits. Although you can claim benefits as early as age…