savings
How the 2026 IRS Changes Affect Your Retirement Planning
An old business adage is that “the only constant thing in life is change” – and that is certainly true when it comes to retirement planning. For as time passes, so do the rules which govern how much we can…
Medicare Changes for 2026
It likely not news, but healthcare costs continue to take a big chunk out of every senior’s pocketbook, and the forthcoming 2026 year certainly reflect that ongoing trend. Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are going up, and deductibles…
What “Retirement” is Today
Modern retirement is different than it was years ago. This article says that “65 is the new 45” when it comes to retirement, because life expectancy today and in the future means you’ll be spending a lot more time in…
Social Security: A 2025 Financial Picture
Social Security is America’s most important retirement program, providing financial assistance in retirement for over 70 million Americans. Indeed, about half of all those receiving Social Security benefits say that it is a “major” source of their retirement income. And,…
About Social Security’s “Full Retirement Age”
Social Security’s “full retirement age” or “FRA” is when you get the full benefits you have earned from a lifetime of working. Those full benefits, based on your highest-earning 35 years, will be available at your FRA which, this year,…
2026 Social Security – Changes You Should Know
Social Security is an ever-evolving program, with certain changes automatically implemented every year. These changes are automatic and generally are based upon several government measurements, such as the Consumer Price Index and the Average National Wage Index, among others. Most…
Ask Rusty – If We Both Collect Social Security, will our Benefits be Affected?
Dear Rusty: I reached full retirement age back in June, but I have not yet filed to collect Social Security. My husband currently collects SS funds, and he waited until he had reached full retirement age a few years ago.…
Don’t Spend that extra SS money yet – Medicare will cut into your COLA increase!
In an announcement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), we were told that the new cost of our Medicare Part B coverage for 2026 would be $202.90, instead of the $185 per month we paid in 2025.…
Closing the “Retirement Savings Gap”
It’s pretty well recognized, especially among financial planners, that Americans suffer a fairly large “retirement savings gap” – that is, they have less in savings than they will require in their so-called “golden years.” That is, of course, an unfortunate…
CMS Announces 2026 Medicare Costs
Somewhat delayed by the recent government shutdown, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finally announced the costs seniors will be required to pay for their healthcare coverage. As you likely know, Medicare consists of several “parts” called…