Full retirement age
Demystifying Your Social Security Benefit
Winston Churchill famously described the Soviet Union as “a riddle inside an enigma wrapped in a mystery.” That may also be an appropriate way to describe your Social Security benefit, or so it seems when trying to understand how your…
A Strategy to Maximize Your Social Security
This Yahoo! Finance article explains how to maximize your Social Security benefits, possible adding another $300,000 to your total lifetime benefits. It suggests that delaying up to age 70 to claim your benefits is a smart move, vs. taking a…
Solutions for Social Security’s Financial Woes
To politicians, Social Security is viewed as a “third rail,” with most not willing to even discuss the modifications which will inevitably be needed to restored the program to financial solvency (“third rail” refers to the electrical power source for…
The Value of Social Security Knowledge
Here at the AMAC Foundation[1], we are keenly aware that knowledge about Social Security will help everyone choose a course of action which is best for their financial wellbeing. At times, it is someone who is looking ahead to retirement…
Ask Rusty – Should my Spouse be getting half of my Social Security amount?
Dear Rusty: I was referred to you to ask a question about Social Security benefits. I receive about $1,700 a month from Social Security while my husband receives only approximately $750 monthly. Is he entitled to file for half of…
Ben Shapiro, Social Security, and “bankruptcy”
Bankrupt is a harsh term. At its worst, the implication is that financial resources are gone. What it really means, though, is an inability to meet financial obligations. In the context of Social Security, the term is unfortunately accurate, in…
Don’t let fear cost you money
According to Suze Orman, a financial expert with more than 40 years of experience, the biggest retirement mistake you can make is claiming your Social Security benefits early. Delaying your claim can significantly increase your total lifetime benefits, as starting…
You mistakenly filed early for Social Security
You realized that claiming your Social Security benefits before your full retirement age was a mistake. But you do have options to correct that mistake, so let’s look at your options. Withdrawing your application You can withdraw your application within…
The Role of Life Expectancy in Retirement Decisions
When contemplating your retirement it is crucial to focus on an important question – “When should I take my Social Security benefits?” While there are a number of factors to consider when making that decision, don’t overlook the role of…
Demystifying the Federal Payroll Tax
Nearly all workers pay it, but very few understand it – the Federal Payroll Tax. With few exceptions,[1] everyone who works and earns pays the federal payroll tax from their earnings – that’s about 175 million American workers. The tax, first…