Social Security
File for and then delay benefits explained here
Tom Margeneau is an expert of Social Security rules and regulations who writes articles nationally. He devotes this week’s column to people turning 66 before Jan. 2, 2020. They can use a legal loophole allowing them to file for spousal benefits…
Don’t tax or expand Social Security for the rich
Andrew Biggs of The American Enterprise Institute argues Social Security needs targeted reforms, not an across-the-board benefit increase for many retirees who already are doing well, as is being proposed in the House Democrats proposal known as The Social Security…
The Unnoticed Trillion Dollar Budget Gap
In the 1980s critics of overspending pointed to record deficits (averaging $167 billion a year then) and were often met with replies from supply-siders—“Don’t worry about federal deficits. They’re big enough of take care of themselves.” President Reagan even uttered…
Tortoise & Hare: Who gets more Social Security?
Michael Taylor has some fun here explaining exactly how Social Security benefits are calculated using one’s annual income and number of years in the workforce. In this light-hearted example, who would get more in retirement, a hare would earned the maximum salary (currently $132,900)…
Want a big Social Security payout? Wait until 70.
Just 3% of Social Security beneficiaries wait until age 70, the maximum age, to start benefits. That’s a shame according to Maurie Backman, because delaying until age 70 yields one the highest payout possible, for the rest of one’s life. In fact, monthly…
Not the time to expand Social Security given its finances
In this article by Watchdog, Bethany Blankley criticizes The Social Security 2100 Act as proposed by Rep. John Larson (D-CT) as the wrong time to expand Social Security benefits to the wealthiest demographic group at the expense of raising taxes on…
Retirement Reforms Could be a Reality in This Congress
The House Ways and Means Committee under the chairmanship of Richard Neal (D-MA) seems poised to tackle issues like Social Security solvency and other retirement issues this session. Indeed, one hearing on the topic has already been held this month. …
Ask Rusty – Spousal Benefits and Enrolling in Medicare
Dear Rusty: I will be 65 In March. Husband will be 61 In August. If I started collecting Social Security now would I only be able to collect on myself? My husband plans on collecting at 62. Will I be…
What to do if you claimed Social Security too early
People generally are aware that waiting to collect Social Security past age 62 raises one’s monthly checks permanently. Yet most people elect to begin receiving checks at or close to age 62. But what if you decide that you made…
A Primer on Social Security Survivor Benefits
Social Security is most well known for the retirement benefits that one collects as long as one contributed by working ten years in a lifetime. But survivor benefits are a less well known and even less well understood part of the program. When…