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Some things you should know before applying for Social Security
If you’ve been counting down the years until you reach that magical age of 62 when you can begin collecting your Social Security benefits, there are a few very important things you should know before you take that plunge. As…
The absolute worst reason for claiming Social Security early
Social Security can be started anywhere from age 62 to age 70, but the most common age people choose is 62. And there are some pretty good reasons for starting benefits early, including simply needing the money. But there is one very,…
Ask Rusty – Child Benefits Stopped at 18
Dear Rusty: I received my Social Security payment for February but not for the month of March. I’ve seen rumors about how they might cut Social Security checks from people in general, and I really hope that’s not why I…
How to keep your retirement plan on track
The biggest fear of nearly all retirees is that they will run out of money in their golden years. But with a little common sense investment discipline during the years leading up to retirement, your future can look rosy, even…
Preparing for retirement should be a lifetime project
Unfortunately, too many people wait until retirement is already on their horizon before starting to plan for it, and the result is that they’re not adequately financially prepared when the time comes. This article by Adrian Mastracci appears at The Globe…
Why your Social Security benefit could be less than you expect
You’ve done all the planning and figured out the best time for you to start your Social Security benefits, but be careful – there are some potential hiccups that could end up meaning you get a smaller benefit. This sideshow…
Think you know Medicare? Here are some things you don’t know.
Especially those of us already over 65 and on Medicare might think we’re pretty well versed on the program that provides healthcare to over 57 million Americans. But this Motley Fool article by Maurie Backman reveals ten eye-opening Medicare statistics…
Working after retirement – a big reason to do it (besides money)
True, a lot of people who retire from a main career find part-time (or even full time) work to supplement their retirement income, and that trend is increasing every day. But aside from the money, there are considerable psychological advantages to…
Lots of options for shoring up Social Security
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has offered about 3 dozen options for restoring Social Security to long term solvency, ranging from raising the full retirement age, to reducing benefits. But only a few of these will have a major positive…
Social Security benefits update, plus a COLA outlook
Social Security’s full retirement age is gradually increasing, which affects benefits for those considering retirement today. That means it’s a good time to review the fundamentals of Social Security retirement benefits, and this article by Ralph Smith at fedsmith.com does just…