AMAC Foundation
Watch Your Mailbox After Christmas. SSA-1099s In the Mail Soon
SSA-1099s and SSA-1042S will be available in your My Social Account online on Christmas Day. Social Security will begin mailing them out on December 26th, and they should all be received in the mail by the end of January. A…
Are You Ready to Retire in 2026?
When making your retirement decision, there are some things you should take into consideration. Your health, your expected longevity (of course no one knows how long they are going to live, so look at your family history), your other retirement…
Be Alert for Social Security Scams
If you receive a text, e-mail, or phone call saying it is someone from Social Security, odds are it’s a scam. Social Security will not initiate contact with you in these ways. Authentic Social Security Administration (SSA) contacts are almost…
The Maximum Social Security Benefit for 2026 is $5,181
If you delayed taking your Social Security until age 70 and are turning 70 in 2026, and paid Social Security taxes on the maximum taxable amount of earnings for 35 years, your benefit will be maxed out at $5,181. However,…
Didn’t Get Your Social Security Payment? Now what?
There are various reasons you may not have received your Social Security payment when you expected it. The date is one of them. Payments go out based on the date of your birthday, or your spouse’s birthday if you are…
You may still qualify for Social Security without earning the required 40 credits.
To qualify for retirement benefits on your own Social Security record, you must earn at least 40 credits. On average, it only takes 10 years to earn enough credits. You can earn up to four credits each year. In 2025,…
Are you 65 or older? There is a new tax break for you on your 2025 Tax Return.
Your Social Security Benefits may still be taxable on your 2025 tax return. However, there is a new $6,000 additional standard deduction available to people 65 or older, which was included in the Big Beautiful Bill. You may claim this…
Social Security Changes in 2026
You will see your monthly Social Security payments increase by 2.8% due to the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). However, you need to factor in that the cost of Medicare Part B has increased to $202.90 for 2026, up from $185 in…
When should I claim my Social Security?
The Social Security advisors get asked this question at the AMAC Foundation every day. This is one question we cannot answer for you, as it is a personal decision only you can make. If you are married, it is important…
Your Social Security May Be Garnished for Delinquent Student Loans
The Federal Government can withhold up to 15% of your monthly Social Security benefit if you are delinquent on a Federal Student Loan, but your benefit cannot be reduced below $750 per month. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau…