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Social Security is there for survivors
The trauma of losing a loved one can be debilitating, but rest assured that Social Security survivor benefits will be there to ease at least the financial stress of those left behind. Social Security survivor benefits may be paid to…
Re-visit your retirement plan regularly
Regardless of when you start your retirement planning, and the earlier the better, changes occur over the years. That’s why you shouldn’t think of your retirement plan as a “set it and forget it” accomplishment, but rather one that you…
Don’t run out of money in retirement
The number one worry harbored by people in or approaching retirement is that they will run out of money while they still have years of life to live. With the retirement landscape changing, savings take an increasing important role, but…
Your Social Security Number: Question why it’s needed.
Social Security numbers have become a common means of identification across America, even reaching beyond Government services to doctors, hospitals, and the like. And though the Government has had limited success reducing the use of the SSN, you have more control over…
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), explained.
The Windfall Elimination Provision is an often vilified rule in the Social Security Act which reduces the benefit available to those who have worked in jobs which withheld Social Security payroll taxes, and also receive a pension from a job…
Getting married changes your benefit status
As you probably know, Social Security benefits extend to the survivors of a deceased beneficiary who was collecting retirement benefits. That includes dependent children under the age of 18 (or 19 if still in school), as well as adult unmarried…
What shape is America’s retirement system in?
There is a lot of pessimism in many recent articles about the condition of America’s retirement systems, but is there reason to be more optimistic? Whether the glass is half full or half empty is usually a state of mind,…
Are you really ready for retirement? It’s more than just a financial decision
So much emphasis is put on the financial aspect of retirement, specifically on if you can afford it, that the other important questions are often left unanswered. Retirement planning should take into account five key areas to make sure your…
Drawing down your retirement nest egg, and how to do it
At least statistically, it appears that retirees are becoming more conservative when it comes to drawing down their nest egg, driven mostly by fear that they’ll outlive their money. That is the conclusion reached by one research firm which found…
Removing the identity theft risk from your Medicare card
It’s a big and expensive project, but the Government is finally taking action to remove your Social Security number (SSN) as the primary means of identification on your Medicare card. Using your SSN on the card means that anyone who…