retirement
One easy move to increase your Social Security benefit
One question the majority of people ask financial experts is: How can I maximize my Social Security benefit? There are ways that do not require you to hold a high-paying job or work two or three jobs; there is an…
Ask Rusty – Should I Claim Social Security at 68, or Wait Until I’m 70?
Dear Rusty: I have a question regarding my SS benefits. I turned 68 this month and work part time. I earned $28,000 last year but will probably gross $36,000 to $38,000 this year. My husband collects his SS, and he…
Ten retirement mistakes to avoid
The silver tsunami has begun. According to the U.S. Census Bureau figures, more than 12,000 people will start turning 65 each day, hitting an estimated total of more than 4 million for 2024. The soon-to-be 4 million retirees are making…
Claiming your Social Security benefits sooner than later
Most financial experts advise not to file for your Social Security benefits until you have maximized your benefit, usually at age 70. You max out your benefit by earning delayed retirement credits that will boost your monthly benefit by eight…
Eliminating federal tax on Social Security benefits?
Could eliminating federal tax on Social Security benefits be soon? Yes, if You Earned It, You Keep It Act (H.R. 8717) passes by both the House and Senate and then signed by the President to become law. However, this is…
Key Indicators that it’s time to claim Social Security
Most financial advisors will tell you that you should delay as long as reasonably possible to claim your Social Security benefits. After all, the longer you wait (up to age 70) the higher your monthly Social Security payment will be,…
The “When to File” Decision, Again, But With Guidance for the Middle-Class
Many factors go into the decision on when to begin drawing Social Security benefits, but for middle-class Americans–and that’s still about half of the population, according to Pew Research Center–it becomes more critical to weave the decision into a broader…
Government Pension Offset: To Repeal or Not?
Just before last Christmas, Martin O’Malley was sworn in as Commissioner of Social Security. His term will run through January 19, 2025, giving him two full years to wrestle with a lineup of troublesome matters facing this venerable program. First,…
“Peak 65” is Here.
According to a morningstar.com post by contributor Jessica Hall, 2024 represents a statistical milestone in the steady wave of people reaching age 65–12,000 per day to be more precise, also referred to as “Peak 65.” This rate of growth in…
Five Common Mistakes in Planning Retirement Finances–Have You Made Any of Them?
Financial planning for retirement years is not wimps…it takes serious and careful attention to a wid variety of factors, some of which may not be in your direct control. But some are, and The Motley Fool’s Kailey Hagen cites five of…