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Medicare, Social Security, and more
Journalist and author Philip Moeller, a well known and frequent contributor to various publications, advises those seeking advice on aging and retirement. Mr. Moeller’s latest weekly column at PBS NewsHour’s online portal answers questions about Medicare premiums, Medicare vs. Federal and…
Nearly $11 million in improper payments made by Social Security
In a chilling report by Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG), it was revealed that over the period of 2014 – 2016, nearly $11 million in benefit payments were made to wrong bank accounts. This was largely the…
Redefining “work” as you approach retirement
Many Americans approaching retirement are finding that their assets, including Social Security, may not be enough to sustain them financially. Still others have no desire to simply spend their “golden years” idling in their lounge chair, playing golf, or dozing…
A reason to retire early
Most of the advice you read about when to take Social Security benefits will talk about today’s increased longevity and how waiting to claim Social Security will yield considerably higher benefit payments to help you enjoy your golden years. But…
A nursing home wedding and a healthy spouse: What about Social Security?
If an elderly nursing home resident gets married to a healthy bride or groom, how does Social Security work? Well, Social Security works for the bride and groom essentially the same as if no nursing home was in the picture.…
Seniors, and Social Security’s Family Maximum
You are probably aware that minor children, disabled children and spouses are eligible for collect benefits based upon an individual worker’s Social Security record. But seniors with minor dependents should be aware that Social Security has a maximum benefit that…
Another Social Security scam alert
Yet another scam alert has been issued by the Better Business Bureau warning seniors not to fall for calls from area code 323 claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. In this latest scheme, the caller pretends to be…
Understanding the Social Security deficit
1983 was the last year that major legislation aimed at Social Security’s long term solvency was passed, and at that time the program’s 75 year outlook, expressed as a percentage of taxable payroll, was a surplus of 0.02%. That meant that…
Why you should wait until 70 to collect Social Security
Sure, 62 is the age you become eligible to collect Social Security and cash in on those FICA payroll taxes you’ve been paying your entire career. And sometimes there are really good reasons why collecting at 62 is smart, and,…
Social Security scams and how to avoid them
There is probably no end to the number of nefarious schemes to bilk seniors out of money, and your Social Security benefits are a prime target. The latest is a recorded call from someone purporting to be from the Inspector…