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Social Security advice on retiring abroad, applying for benefits, and others
In this Detroit Lakes Online article, columnist Patty Hoffman provides information from the Social Security Administration (SSA) on how, if you’ve decided to spend your retirement overseas, collecting your benefits would work. The rules are different, depending upon the country you…
The Social Security Number dilemma: How can it be fixed?
Breaches of personal information have become so commonplace that they’re often accepted with a “ho-hum” attitude, That is, until the massive hacking of 145 million Americans’ personal data, including Social Security numbers, at credit monitoring and reporting service Equifax. The…
2018 COLA increase likely to be consumed by Medicare premium
Yesterday’s announcement by the Social Security Administration that there will be a 2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2018 was certainly good news for millions of Social Security recipients, but it’s an open question as to whether beneficiaries will actually see…
Today’s retirement about more than just money
Unfortunately, far too many people don’t even think about engaging a professional retirement planner and coach, because they think they can figure their retirement out on their own. The reality is that there is often a dark side to retirement, the…
Medical costs consume a big part of Social Security income
It’s sure not a secret to anyone who is already retired, but the cost of medical care is rising disproportionate to Social Security income. On average, medical expenses eat up about a third of Social Security income and about 18% of total…
Bill proposed for Federal oversight of credit reporting companies
The recent Equifax data breach, which exposed personal data of about 143 million Americans, has spurred Congress to action. A Representative in the House, Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, has introduced a bill which would require the big three credit…
Basic Social Security questions and answers
Understanding how Social Security works should be a goal of everyone approaching retirement, because it will undoubtedly play a very important role in your future. From how it is funded, to who can collect benefits, to how you qualify, this…
Comparing Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits
America’s railroad system is still a crucial part of our transportation infrastructure, and employees in that industry participate in a retirement and social insurance program totally separate from the Social Security system. Though separate, many of the benefits parallel Social Security’s and…
Divorced spouse? Here’s how to collect on your ex
Even as an ex-spouse, it’s possible to collect Social Security on your ex’s record if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Those aren’t necessarily hard to meet, and if you are divorced you should investigate whether you qualify. In this Newsday article,…
Don’t get bored in retirement
While some people can’t wait to pull the plug on their career and spend their days doing nothing for a change, others can’t see themselves without an active lifestyle. And even those who plan to simply live a sedentary retirement…