Latest News
Medicare Part A – What it costs and covers
Although by far the majority of beneficiaries do not pay a premium for Medicare Part A hospital insurance, some people who don’t qualify for the free coverage have to buy it, and for them the premium is costly. And because…
A New Year’s Resolution: Retirement Planning
As we go into a new year, many of us resolve to make changes that will improve our lives. But here’s one that targets your future life, comfort and well-being: retirement planning. Now is the time to start saving for…
A checklist to maximize your Social Security benefit
Sure, you may be approaching 62 and thinking about taking your Social Security benefit as soon as you can, but there are a lot of things you should think about before making the decision to apply. This Motley Fool article…
2017 Social Security Changes you should be aware of
The “full retirement age” as defined by Social Security is the age at which you are entitled to receive un-reduced benefits. If you retire earlier than your full retirement age you will get less, if you retire later you’ll get…
SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS: Statements are in the mail
(Source: Social Security Administration) It’s that time of year again. Preparing for tax season can seem overwhelming. Some forms and paperwork might be difficult to track down. If you misplaced your Benefits Statement or haven’t received it by the end…
Some Suggestions for Handling Tax-Deferred Savings as Retirement Nears
Tax-deferral is a great way to accumulate a retirement fund, but we all know the day will come when that money needs to be turned into an income stream. And that’s when the tax is due…it didn’t just go away.…
Some Positive Comments About Retirement Finances
With so much negativity in the media about retirement unpreparedness, it’s occasionally worthwhile to look at the positive side of the story. Bloomberg View’s Ramesh Ponnuru does just that in an article published on www.columbiatribune.com. Check it out here… Notice: The link…
Understanding the Social Security Tax Levy
Many Americans are aware of exactly what portion of their income is taxed for Social Security, but for those who aren’t here’s a quick analysis from Maurie Backman. Here artlcle was posted today on host.madison.com…read it here. Notice: The link…
More Guidance for the Self-Employed
As reported int he preceding “Latest News” article, self-employed people are responsible for the fill 12.4% tax that funds Social Security. This article by Missouri State University’s Kerri Tassin provides a technical look at the process for adhering to this…
Decision point for those turning 65 (and still working)
If this is the year you turn 65, it’s also the year you age into Medicare eligibility. That’s great, but if you intend to remain part of the workforce, there are some decisions you need to make to be sure…