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Claiming Benefits Mid-Year? If Continuing to Work, Check Out the Special Earnings Limit Rule.
Social Security regulations stipulate that upon beginning retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits, beneficiaries are considered “retired” and expected to leave the workforce. Current regulations allow continued earnings from employment for those who claim benefits before their full retirement age (NRA),…
Dealing with IRMAA: Some Financial Management Suggestions
Becoming subject to Medicare’s income-related monthly Adjusted amount (IRMAA) provision can be an unwelcomed surprise. Although it’s been in place since 2003, this portion of the Medicare rulebook still catches some off guard, and the resulting impact on Medicare costs can…
Approaching Retirement? Advice for that First Year’s Spending.
If you’re on the cusp of retirement, congratulations on reaching that significant milestone. Be aware, however, that you’re entering somewhat uncharted waters regarding your financial situation, since your income stream has changed and your spending patterns will likewise shift. Just…
Thoughts on Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
Cybercrime is a fact of life, and has been for many years. Last year, for example, seniors were victims of criminal acts that averaged $38,500 each, according to a recent Money.com post by finance writer Marc Guberti. Retirees are often…
Some Social Security History on Age 65 as the “Standard” Retirement Milestone
Even though age 67 is today the full retirement age for those born in 1960 or later, many retirement analysts and news articles persistently refer to age 65 as the basis for workforce projections. In fact, age 65 seems to…
Clearing up Confusion About Survivor Benefits and the Restricted Application
Spousal benefits are often confused with survivor benefits, and both areas of the Social Security rulebook are well-documented with specific guidelines. There was, however, a “loophole” that savvy retirement planners could exploit to improve a couple’s combined benefits through a…
Retirement Planning: It’s Important to Play the Long Game
The importance of getting an early start on financial planning for retirement can be hard to grasp, especially for younger workers at the outset of a long career. But, with continued growth in longevity, coupled with the uncertainties that come…
Thoughts on Addressing Social Security’s Insolvency Problem
With the full depletion of Social Security’s trust funds rapidly approaching, it seems the media world is waking up to what could happen. And the more wide awake the media world becomes, the more worried those affected by what could…
Further Means Testing Recommended for Social Security
As the projected date of trust fund full depletion moves closer–it’s most recently been estimated for 2032, a mere six years away–activity on the proposal front is building. This is certainly a welcome trend, given the lack of attention Congress…
Social Security Numbers Involved in Signigificant Fraud, Study Finds
If you’ve ever needed an incentive to protect your Social Security number (SSN), check out the fraud stats outlined in this report by The Epoch Times’ data journalist Sylvia Xu (click here to read). In a recap of the U.S.…