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The Importance of Planning for Medical Costs in Retirement
Pundits, media, regulators–everyone, in fact–are all consistent in projecting that health care will be an enormous part of the cost of living for retirees in the future. In an article by Mark Miller posted at news.morningstar.com today, the basic factors…
Attention, Baby Boomers–Mid-Year Check-Up on Savings For Retirement
The “dog days of summer” are upon us, and they bring with them a reminder that mid-year is a good time to take a look at how you’re doing with your financial planning for retirement. Reporter Casey Dowd, in a post…
Social Security’s Online Features–Check Out Some Easy Ones
Ready to apply for benefits? Need to verify your earnings record? Heading offshore? These are just a few examples of the areas where www.SocialSecurity.gov can help you out. There’s a wealth of material there, and it’s free of charge, so…
The Government’s myRA retirement plan is dead, but saving for retirement isn’t
Due to a lack of participants, the Obama era myRA retirement savings plan has been discontinued by the Treasury Department, and notifications were sent out last week so informing participants in the program. That doesn’t mean, however, that saving for…
It’s time for Congress to fix Social Security’s finances
It’s pretty well known by now that Social Security’s finances need fixing. Although the program’s reserves are expect to peak at about $3 trillion in 2022, in that same year it will start paying out more than it brings in…
Will 2018 see a boost in Social Security benefits?
Yes, according to the Annual Report from the Trustees of Social Security, 2018 will probably see a small Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). That’s good news, of course, to the 61+ million people who rely on the program to make…
Is using IRA funds to delay taking Social Security the best choice?
Waiting until age 70 to start your Social Security benefits is a tempting option, especially when you know that each year you wait will get you an extra 8% added to your benefit amount. And sometimes when people consider that…
Mismanagement of Social Security & Medicare finances is the “last refuge of bipartisanship”
The recent Trustees’ Annual Report on the financial status of Social Security and Medicare has continued to raise alarm flags about the solvency of both programs, but the one thing that seems constant is Congress’ apparent lack of political courage…
Which states need Social Security the most?
Given that Social Security represents at least 40% of nearly every senior’s income and in some cases as much as 90%, it’s no wonder that reports of the program’s financial woes are taking center stage. But where would any future…
Here are some lies about Social Security
Few would argue that Social Security isn’t a crucial financial element in nearly everyone’s retirement plan. But even given the importance of Social Security to the financial well being of over 60 million Americans, the program is too often misunderstood and mysterious…