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Do this by Nov. 19
On October 24th, the Social Security Administration announced the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) amount for 2026. Social Security recipients will see the 2.8 percent increase in their January check. However, if you cannot wait until that day, you need to…
What’s Happening With Retirement Confidence in the U.S.?
Recent surveys Charles Schwab and Fidelity reveal an alarming trend: Confidence in American’s ability to adequately prepare for retirement is falling. In fact, an Investopedia post by reporter Aaron McDade suggests that about a third of the 1,100 401 (k)…
Dealing with Concerns About Social Security’s Durability
One of the more persistent rumors circulating in many circles these days is that Social Security is on a pathway to disappearance. Of course, most responsible bloggers and journalists understand that the program, as designed, cannot go away as long…
Analyzing two key potential Social Security changes offered for consideration
As noted in today’s headline post on this site, many policy experts are weighing in with specific proposals to adjust Social Security that could help address the program’s impending financial crisis. In a post today on MarketWatch.com, retirement reporter Jessica…
Another Vote for Delayed Benefit Claiming
Claim Social Security at age 62, wait until full retirement age (FRA), or hold off until age 70 and take advantage of delayed retirement credit. You’ve seen and heard the arguments for all three of these strategies, and there are…
A Quick Look at Some Social Security Misconceptions
Many folks aging into Social Security eligibility, as well as many younger folks just beginning to think about their retirement years, have heard a few things about the program. Unfortunately, many of the things they’ve heard may not be accurate.…
Earning the Maximum Social Security Retirement Benefit
For 2026, the highest possible monthly retirement benefit available will be $5,251 after application of the annual cost-of-living adjustment. Sounds like a lot, of course, and many folks wonder how to go about setting themselves up to collect that size…
Retirement Earnings Test Increase for 2026
Many Social Security benefit recipients who have not yet reached their full retirement age (FRA) but continue working are aware (or should be) of the Retirement Earnings Test, which limits the amount of income they can earn before benefits are…
Retirement Readiness and Financial Preparedness Can be Two Different Measures
Many U.S. adults approaching retirement express confidence in their ability to deal with living costs in their later years. An overwhelming majority–89 percent–of responses to a global survey by Prudential said so, yet just slightly more than half said they’d…
How Years Out of the Workforce Impact Benefits
Future retirees who, for one reason or another, have stepped away from the taxpaying workforce for extended periods need to be aware of the process for calculating their eventual Social Security benefits. Although often viewed as a bit arcane, this…