seniors
Turning 70 this year?
Are you turning 70 this year and have not started your Social Security benefits? You should sign up for your benefits since you will stop earning delayed retirement credits. Delayed retirement credits result in an increased monthly benefit amount of…
RMDs start in the year you turn 73
Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and traditional IRAs give you a tax break by lowering your taxable income; however, withdrawals are subject to taxation. Yes, the year you turn age 73, you are required to make withdrawals. If you don’t, it…
Social Security Administration’s moves from old programming language sparks fears
Some experts feel that DOGE’s effect in eliminating fraud at the Social Security Administration is misplaced. This concern stems from new reports that the Social Security Administration plans to migrate from an old COBOL computer programming language to a more…
Social Security insolvency is fixable
Not a day goes by that we don’t see some media posts about Social Security going bankrupt. Yes, the Social Security Trust fund is facing an insolvency issue in the coming years; however, it is fixable. One fixable item is…
Medicare’s efforts to root out improper payments, fraud, waste and abuse
The Medicare program covers 68 million people and represents 15 percent of all federal spending. There are 1.4 million healthcare providers and almost a dozen different payment systems; improper payments and fraud have occurred. Despite actions over the years to reduce…
Why the new identity verification requirements matter
The Social Security Administration, On April 14th, will adopt new identity verification requirements for those individuals applying for retirement, survivor benefits, spousal benefits, and those who want to change their direct deposit information. If you cannot prove your identity online…
The latest Medicare scam
A new Medicare scam is on the rise, entitizing seniors to “free” or at “no cost to you” genetic testing. These scammers try to convince you by saying it will help detect certain diseases, such as cancers. They will arrange…
When your benefits are really just bonus money
You can begin your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, if you start receiving benefits early, they are permanently reduced. What if you are not reliant on Social Security to pay for basic retirement expenses, and…
Social Security changes coming in April
Well, 2025 is proving to be a strange and stressful year for the Social Security Administration. Millions of Americans will see their Social Security checks, and some will receive one for the first time, an increase shortly due to the…
Take steps to avoid a surprise tax bill
“Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin It is easier to pay your taxes while working; taxes are withheld from each paycheck. However, for retirees, you will pay federal income taxes on your benefits if your combined…