Social Security
Optimistic about the future of Social Security
Despite all the fear-mongering on social media saying Social Security is going bankrupt and will not be able to pay Social Security benefits, over half of the respondents to a recent survey said they expect to receive Social Security benefits.…
Importance of retirement planning beyond Social Security
The average Social Security recipient received $21,924 in 2023. Social Security is the foundation of all retirement plans, but is it enough for you to survive? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average 65-year-old and older spends an…
New Social Security rules for 2024
The new year is approaching rapidly, which means new rules for Social Security. Some of the new rules you will find will be beneficial to recipients and workers, but the other rules are not so much. The beneficial rules for…
What 2024 will look like for the average Social Security recipient
Beginning next month, over 64 million older Americans will see an increase in their Social Security benefits. The cost-of-living (COLA) increase of 3.2 percent is modest compared to last year’s 8.7 percent and a decrease in Medicare Part B premiums.…
Social Security claw back policy numbers
This year, the Social Security Administration has come under scrutiny by Congress and the media for its clawback policy. Social Security clawback policy is when the program, by administrative error, has overpaid recipients; the agency then collects the overpayment by…
What you should know before you collect spousal benefits
Coordinating your benefits with your spouse’s benefits can help you to get the most out of your Social Security payments. Your first step in maximizing your Social Security benefits should be to know the rules. There are three rules you…
Are you ready for these changes to Social Security?
“The Only Constant in Life Is Change.”- Heraclitus. That is true when it comes to the Social Security program as well. The Social Security program will change in 2024, but those changes will not affect everyone. What are those changes?…
Ask Rusty – If My Wife Claims Now, Will It Hurt My Social Security Amount?
Dear Rusty: I am 69 years old, and my wife turned 70 early this year. I am still working full time. My wife is not working, but she got a letter from Social Security saying she should take her Social…
Why Retirement Planning is Important
With a growing number of Americans suggesting that our country is facing a “retirement crisis,” and specifically with younger workers expressing fears about financial security in their “golden years,” the general subject of financial planning for post-career living presents a…
Taxes, Taxes…Which States Tax Social Security Benefits?
While some states in recent years have changed or eliminated their taxation of Social Security benefits, it’s always good to know where this extra layer of tax is still in effect. GoBankingRates contributor Vance Cariaga, in a post on their…