retirement
Another Look at the Pervasive Pessimism About Social Security’s Future
Media accounts of the problems facing Social Security frequently serve as fodder for pessimism, with terms like “bankruptcy” and “broke” serving to fuel opinions that the program will be dead in less than a decade. It’s true that Social Security…
Economic Insecurity and Retirement–A Looming Problem for Many
Longer lifespans and a deteriorating financial picture on the Social Security front present a very real financial concern for seniors, according to a post by GoBankingRates contributor Sean Fisher on their website. Despite the negativity around insufficuent savings and the…
That Nagging Question: What’s the Best Time to Begin Benefits?
It’s perhaps one of the most vexing questions facing anyone approaching Social Security eligibility…when should I take the plunge and begin my benefit? And there are many viewpoints floating on the airwaves, from filing early and getting the benefit of…
Ask Rusty – Will my WEP Reduction Go Away if I Continue Working?
Dear Rusty: I’m 63 years old and have not yet started my Social Security. I now work for the State of Illinois and will draw a pension from that state’s university system. I don’t pay into Social Security from this…
Medicare Advantage vs. “Original Medicare?”
Medicare Advantage is, essentially, private healthcare coverage which replaces “original Medicare” and, due to very aggressive marketing in recent years, Medicare Advantage plans now provide a majority of healthcare services to American seniors. The alternative to Medicare Advantage is, of…
Who Can You Call with Questions About Social Security and Medicare?
Social Security and Medicare are, inarguably, the two most important senior benefit programs in our nation, but they are also both exceedingly complex and difficult for the uninformed to navigate. This excellent article by Hillary Hatch, appearing at Michigan’s Pioneer…
Times are tough!! Take Advantage of these Savings Tips
Times are, indeed, tough for many Americans, with inflation still inexorably nudging the price of everything we buy even further up. But, there are still opportunities out there to save - as explained in this Yahoo! Finance article by Andrew…
Enemy of Social Security Reform? Public Apathy
Despite all the media warnings about Social Security solvency and possible across-the-board benefit cuts in about a decade, a recent Gallup poll suggests that 53% of Americans still think they’ll get everything they’re entitled to when it comes time for…
Allow “Phasing In” Social Security Benefits?
In this interesting opinion piece, one erudite expert suggests that Social Security should offer an option to allow phasing into retirement. This would be done by permitting one to first collect only a portion of their Social Security benefit early,…
When Should you Claim Social Security?
There’s no single answer to that question, but there is one very important factor which is crucial for you to know when deciding, and that is your full retirement age (FRA). You FRA varies depending on the year you were…