Social Security

Amount Needed to Qualify for Social Security Credits Going up in 2025

Americans earn up to four credits per year to qualify for Social Security benefits in their later years. The 2024 amount is $1,730. In 2025 it will increase to $1,810. Those who work full time will not be affected by…

Donald Trump & Social Security: Short-term vs. Long-term

Kailey Hagen analyzes former President Trump’s bold plans for Social Security. She finds there would be appeal in the short run but problems in the long term because additional revenues are not there. Insolvency looms for the popular program in…

Analysis: Trump Campaign Plans & Social Security

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) notes a typical couple retiring just before Social Security hits insolvency in 2034 faces a $16,500 cut, and neither presidential candidate, despite them both saying they will “protect” the program, has presented plans…

How the next U.S. president may address Social Security running dry

The problem has been known for a decade or more– that the Social Security Trust fund (also referred to as reserves or surpluses) will be depleted by 2034. Benefits will then be reduced 20% or more for all across the…

Can Social Security reform be done relatively fairly?

If Congress does not change the law, the Social Security Trust Fund will be exhausted by 2033, and at that time, benefits will be cut by 21 percent.  Changes to Social Security are coming no matter what, but what if…

The 2025 maximum Social Security benefit

The 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.5 percent will increase the average monthly benefit from $1,927 to $1,976 per month, a $49 increase, according to the Social Security Administration.  However, the maximum Social Security benefit for 2025 will increase from…

Remember to figure in Medicare into your equation

The Social Security Administration announcement of the 2.5 percent 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) has some people calculating their increase to their monthly benefit amount before they know one other increase that is due to be announced.  What is this other…

COLA comes with bad news for retirees

The Social Security Administration announced on October 10th that the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be 2.5 percent, which is lower than the 10-year average of 2.8 percent.  Inflation has fallen; however, the prices of goods and services are still…

What to look for in a side hustle

Retirement, for many, can be a time to relax and enjoy your family and friends, but for some, it means finding a side hustle to fill in the time. In a recent poll of retirees, the average monthly earnings from…

Make sure you do not make these mistakes

As of 2024, more than 71 million Americans receive Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Approximately 86 percent of the population aged 65 and over receive these benefits. However, most do not realize that some specific actions…

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