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Understanding the Benefits
Basics
Questions and answers about spousal benefits
Switching from spousal benefits to retirement benefits, when is a spouse eligible for benefits, and when should a spouse actually start their benefit, are all questions answered in this column by Laurence Kotlikoff appearing at Forbes.com. Mr. Kotlikoff is a nationally…
What they don’t tell you about retirement
If you think of your retirement as being a long vacation for the rest of your life, you may be in for some surprises along the way. While most advisors stay focused on the financial aspects of your golden years…
How disability benefits may affect Medicaid qualification
Medicaid has a monthly income limit which, if exceeded, could cause a person to lose their qualification for those important healthcare services. A disabled person who is awarded Social Security Disability Insurance benefits might find themselves in a position where their…
Things you should know about spousal benefits
Spousal benefits are arguably one of the most misunderstood elements of the Social Security program. From the amount a spouse will get to who is even eligible is often a subject of confusion, causing some to miss out on benefits…
Early retirement isn’t always the best move.
As shown in another of today’s Latest News articles, retiring and starting your Social Security benefits early can often be the right choice for many Americans. But, there are also some drawbacks to starting your golden years early, and you…
Retiring overseas? Your Social Security benefits may be able to follow you
In our global society, many people are choosing to retire abroad, perhaps because they have relatives there or they simply like a special non-US area of the world. But if you’ve earned Social Security from a lot of years working…
Comparing disability payments to your paycheck
If you’re planning to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you may be wondering how much your benefit would be and how it might compare to that paycheck you were once receiving. While being approved for SSDI means you’ll…
Most don’t wait until 70 to start Social Security. Here’s why.
Sure, waiting until you’re age 70 to start your Social Security benefits will yield you a much fatter payment; as much as 70% more than you’ll get if you start at age 62. So why is it that so few people…
Retire early? Or retire later? It depends.
It’s the age old (well, at least since the late 1930’s) Social Security dilemma – what is the right age to start benefits? The answer is, of course, that it depends on your own personal circumstances. But according to Social…