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Some Retirees Will See an Increase in their Social Security payment
If you are among the retired public service workers who receive a government pension, yet did not contribute to Social Security while earning same, you will likely see an increase in your Social Security benefit, starting with your April 2025…
Medicare boosts reimbursement rates; good news for insurers
Shares for U.S. health insurers went up on the stock market yesterday, based on an announcement by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that they will raise reimbursement rates for Medicare Advantage plans starting in 2026. This is…
Clarifying the Social Security “dead people getting benefits” claim
With a great deal of fanfare, the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) implied that many obviously dead people over 120 years of age were receiving Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration has issued a clarification which disputes that…
Inside the “Iron Mountain”
“Iron Mountain” refers to an actual limestone mine repurposed 65 years ago to house records about Government employees and retirees. It is a behemoth of an underground facility housing over 400 million paper records of the Government’s Office of Personnel…
Ten Tips for Retirement Planning
Although it is sometimes difficult to think about a retirement far into the future, doing so is an important decision, and the earlier you plan, the better your retirement outcome will be. Still, it’s hard to predict how to balance…
Social Security Disability, and Autism
Coincident with recognition of World Autism Day (April 2nd), the Social Security Administration has reemphasized its commitment to disability benefits to people with autism. Social Security actually has two different disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security…
What to do when the Stock Market declines
If you’re been watching the stock market at all these days, you are already aware of the quite severe decline which has occurred as a result of President Trump’s tariff announcements. Any decline in the market can be stressful for…
Who is enrolling in Medicare Advantage?
The creation of Medicare Advantage health plans was part of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. Medicare Advantage grew from almost zero in 1998 to 33.8 million subscribers in 2024, or 55 percent of Medicare recipients. One reason Medicare recipients enroll…
How should workers with a 401(k) react to the dip?
With the stock market tumbling, concerns among investors are stashing away money in retirement funds like 401(k)s. Stock market volatility can be stressful, especially for those nearing retirement age, but don’t panic. So, how should workers nearing retirement react to…
Social Security repayment rules
Are you in an overpayment status with the Social Security Administration? On March 27th, SSA changed how they collect overpayments, reversing the policy of having 10 percent of your overpayment withheld from your check to 100 percent. However, this new…