Social Security
Retirement Outlook Taking on an Increasingly Gloomy Perspective
The combination of inadequate savings and excessive debt is eroding optimism among future retirees, according to Pew Research Center reports. “40% of American adults don’t feel confident they’ll have enough income and assets to last their entire retirement…” says Moneywise…
How Extenzive are Social Security Benefits for the Higher Earners?
Most folks are aware that Social Security benefits are calculated using progressive formulas that replace a higher percentage of lifetime earnings for low-wage workers than for high-wage earners. This, of course, reflects the program’s intent to help keep low-income workers…
A Quick Update on Social Security Benefit Reduction History
With the potential for Social Security benefits looming in the near future, we thought now would be a good time to reflect on some history. Specifically, we’re linking you to an article posted on the Prescott News website by their…
Ask Rusty – I Lost Money as a Widow and Ex-spouse by Not Knowing the Rules
Dear Rusty: I just found out, as someone who was collecting widow’s benefits on my second husband (a very small amount) for some time, that I was, all along, entitled to divorce benefits from my first husband which are much…
Highlighting the Inadequacy of Social Security’s COLA
Much has been written about Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) process and its inability to keep pace with the cost patterns seniors face. The Senior Citizens League, for example, reports on its website that “Social Security benefits have lost…
Claiming Social Security Benefits: Some Fundamentals that assess your readiness
It’s a big step… no doubt about that! Many folks aging into Social Security eligibility agonize over whether they are ready to pull the plug and claim their benefits, a decision that involves a range of factors. A post by…
The latest 2027 COLA projections
The predictions for the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase have begun. With the release of the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), experts, including the Congressional Budget Office, have updated their forecast models. However,…
How Social Security Death Data bolstered Treasury’s Do Not Pay system
Improper payments by the federal government are not a new phenomenon. Improper payments have been a longstanding, widespread, and significant problem, costing taxpayers an estimated $2.8 trillion in the last two decades. To reduce these improper payments, a pilot program…
7 Ways Veterans Can Protect Themselves From Scams
Veterans have served our country with honor and deserve to be protected from threats to their benefits and personal information. Unfortunately, scammers often pose as employees of the Department of Veterans Administration (VA) and contact veterans by mail, phone, email,…
Updates to Social Security to be aware of
We have all seen the media headlines announcing the 2026 Social Security COLA of 2.8 percent. The Medicare Part B premium is increasing by 9.7 percent to $202.90. However, there are more changes to Social Security in 2026 that you…