seniors
What waiting to 70 to begin your benefits means
We all have seen the articles that say the average benefit at 70 as of 2022 was $1,938.49 per month. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. The group of 70-year-olds includes people who claimed Social Security at different age…
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…
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…
Ex-spousal Social Security benefits
Researchers at Bowling Green State University found that gray divorcees tend to be less financially secure than married and widowed older adults. The poverty level for gray divorcees is about 19 percent, compared to almost three percent for married seniors…
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…
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…
Will the Annual COLA Increase Ever Be Enough?
All Social Security recipients received a historically high 8.7% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2023, yet a recent survey found that over half felt that wasn’t enough. And this year’s 3.2% COLA will likely receive the same reception from…
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,…