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Average benefit payments for retirees, survivors and the diaabled
Social Security is a critical source of income for a majority of the more than 61 million Americans who depend upon it. Those beneficiaries include retired workers, the disabled, and survivors. So just how much do each of these categories…
Finding your ideal retirement age
After a lifetime of working, trying to decide at what age to retire can be stressful and often confusing. Then there’s the emotional side of it; striving to understand if you’re really ready to go from a full time career…
Next year’s COLA increase may not be as good as predicted
For all the hoopla following the recent Trustees’ Report prediction which forecast a 2018 COLA increase of 2.2%, the inflation indicators which drive the actual adjustment aren’t performing to the level needed for that big a boost. COLA is driven…
Yet another scam: Paying bills using a Federal Routing number
Apparently a hoax perpetrated by tax protesters, the latest scam is conning people into believing that by using their Social Security number and a provided special Federal bank routing number, bills and debts can be paid from a “secret” stash…
For Social Security, which day of the month you were born counts
Well over 40% of those becoming eligible to start receiving Social Security do so as soon as they reach 62 years of age. But what comes as a surprise to many is that they won’t actually receive a benefit for…
2018 Social COLA Watch: Don’t Count on 2.2% Yet
Recent comments from Social Security officials have indicated the potential for a 2018 Cost of Living Adjustment in the range of 2.2%; however, recent CPI-W trending appears to render this estimate a bit high, with more recent comments pointing to…
The question that keeps popping up: When to retire?
And it’s not a simple question to answer. If you’re approaching that point in life, you know that there are many points to consider before “taking the plunge,” so to speak. The Motley Fool’s Maurie Backman takes a look at some…
Some Tips on Avoiding Potholes in Retirement Finance Planning
This post today on www.troyrecord.com provides a checklist for evaluating how some of the more costly retirement planning mistakes people tend to make can derail your plans for a financially secure retirement. From not planning at all to not keeping the end…
Stay-at-parenting and the Impact on Finances
It’s a decision that many, many younger folks face: Whether to return to the workforce after having children or have one spouse step out of a career and raise a family. It’s a financial juggling act for many, and there…
Understanding the Importance of DLI
One of the key factors in the filing of a claim for Social Security Disability Income is an individual’s DLI–Date Last Insured. This factor is just as important as the your actual work history and the credits you’ve earned, and…