Social Security
Maximizing Benefits via a Bridging Strategy
Many folks looking ahead to the decision on when to begin drawing Social Security benefits often seek ways to make their eventual monthly payment as high as possible, and most financial advisors tell them it’s simple: wait until age 70.…
For Those Approaching Social Security: Some Very Basic Fundamentals
If you’re nearing a decision on when to begin drawing Social Security benefits and, especially, if you’re considering filing early, there are some very, very basic questions you need to ask yourself before taking the plunge. If you’ve created a…
Raise the Retirement Age or Lower It? Gen Z and Millennials Weigh In
Many proposals to address the Social Security program’s evaporating financial reserves include a recommendation to add a few years to the full retirement age (FRA) provision, perhaps extending it as far as age 70 from its current age 67. Advocates…
Representative Payee Designations Available to Help Seniors
Seniors struggling to manage their financial affairs have a helpful Social Security provision available to them that can ease their minds. It’s called the “Representative Payee” provision, and it allows a beneficiary to designate another person, usually a family member,…
Thinking About Retiring in Your 50s? Be careful!
It’s a dream that many mid-career people have…packing it all in while you’re still able to enjoy life to the fullest. If that’s a goal that you have, and you’re gearing your lifestyle and wealth accumulation strategies around it, we…
The Psychology Behind Claiming Social Security Benefits Early
Age 62 continues to be the most popular claiming age for Social Security benefits–40% of men and 47% of women decide that way, according to the Social Security Administration. Although this option is counter to the advice doled out by…
Who is most (least) prepared for retirement?
A recent Vanguard survey found that 85 percent of Gen Z’ers surveyed said retirement benefits were a chief concern in their job hunts. Both Gen Z and millennials are saving more in their workplace retirement plans than previous generations due…
These rules dictate how much you will receive in retirement
The Social Security Administration reports that 31 percent of the workforce in private industry have no access to pension coverage, and only 16 percent of those without access said they have any retirement savings. A recent Nationwide Retirement Institute survey…
When someone dies
Social Security retirement benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due. It’s important to understand that Social Security only pays benefits for a specific month if the beneficiary was alive for the entire month.…
How to achieve the maximum amount
The maximum monthly Social Security benefit for 2024 is $4,555. There are three steps involved in achieving the maximum benefit. What are they, and can the average person achieve them? Keith Speight outlines the three steps and suggests even if…