Latest News
Trying to Curb Medicare Part B Drug Costs
On Thursday, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission voted 15-0 to recommend that Congress enact new drug reimbursement laws through several proposals that would decrease Medicare spending. Read article here… Notice: The link provided above connects readers to the full…
A Quick Primer on Tax Scams and Your Social Security Number
They’re everywhere, and they tend to pop up more frequently around tax filing season. In an article by The Wired’s Lily Hay Newman, some background on common scams is explained, along with preventive measures you can take to minimize your…
Contrasting Social Security and Market Investments
The question of how one’s “investment” in Social Security compares to what that investment might return in other venues often comes up. Robert Powell, editor of Retirement Weekly, examines this investment trade-off question in a post on www.usatoday.com. Check it out here……
The Big Question: Can I retire?
With the abundance of media coverage about the inadequacy of savings accumulated by a large percentage of those aging into their retirement years, many people have this basic question in mind. In a post today on Madison.com, reporter Wendy Connick provides…
Retirement Financing: How comfortable is comfortable?
It may be hard to understand, but even the very wealthy–those having what is labeled ultra high net worth (UHNW)–often lose sleep worrying about the strength of their financial position in retirement. Even though those at this level have amassed $5…
Retirement Account Multiple – What’s it mean?
Your Retirement Account Multiple (RAM)–your retirement account balance divided by your final salary–is a quick way to help you calculate the annual amount you can draw from your retirement assets. Of course, it’s just a tool, one of several you need…
More on the Retirement Savings Shortfall
It’s hard to escape…nearly every day there are articles posted lamenting the fact that a dearth of savings portends a bleak retirement of future retirees. This one–from The Motley Fool–suggests that 52% of households are at risk of not being able…
A Future Source of Help and Companionship in Your Retirement Years
When this subject comes up, many people tend to think about family, neighbors, and social agencies. But remember we’re hurtling through the 21st century, where things are different, and where technology places many things within reach that were previously thought…
Surviving Spouse benefits and GPO
In situations where a surviving spouse is receiving a pension from employment that did not involve collection of Social Security taxes, there may be a reduction in the spousal benefit. The Motley Fool’s Todd Campbell takes a look at the mechanics…
SSA Graded on Understandability
The Center for Plain Language, an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping government agencies and businesses write clearly, has graded the Social Security Administration at a B+ this year. Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Mickie Douglas comments on the rating in…