Social Security
Another estimate on the 2023 COLA increase

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.1 percent in August. So, what does that mean to Social Security recipients? Mary Johnson of The Senior Citizens League has updated her…
Why this change to Social Security is most likely to happen

There are many proposals to resolve the Social Security insolvency problem and preserve full benefits for Social Security recipients; not all have bipartisan support. However, there is one that enjoys this support: Tax income above $400,000 to help fund Social…
How COLAs increase your future Social Security
With all the talk of a record high cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for 2023, many people near retirement are wondering if they should file for their Social Security benefits to take advantage of this increase. You want to make the right decision;…
Maximize Social Security Benefits With These 4 Tricks

Neil Templin of Barron’s writes an easy to understand piece on how to maximize Social Security benefits. So much is written on this topic, but it usually boils down to this advice: make sure you have a full 35 year…
A Call to Strengthen & Expand Social Security – Even in the Face of Insolvency

Max Richtman’s op-ed in The Hill chronicles the history of Social Security from its passage in 1935 to the current time. He notes the program has expanded many times along the way, mainly to cover more workers, such as domestic…
Website Upgrades to Social Security

Boston University economics professor Larry Kotlikoff gives a comprehensive review in Forbes of recent changes and upgrades to Social Security’s main website. Among the improvements are the ability to update basic information like phone number, address, and bank account online, long…
The Political Landmine That Social Security Regrettably Continues to be

There’s a reason almost no politician talks about reforming Social Security, even in the face of its looming insolvency. “Touch it, and you die” is the way most have described the program for decades. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) is the…
Navigating a Roth conversion with Social Security

Roth IRA conversions appear to be all the rage lately, as the tax climate and the market are favorable now for converting. However, for those receiving Social Security benefits during the year of a Roth conversion, it pays to understand the tax implications of adding more…
Unretiring is Becoming Common. What then about Social Security?

Unretiring is among the newest crazes since we have emerged from the worst of the pandemic in 2020. Whether due to the necessity of inflation or just a desire to grab one of the millions of job openings for extra…
Democrats Up the Ante on Social Security Giveaways

Proposals by Democrats are aplenty each congressional session promising enhanced Social Security benefits, whether as cost of living adjustments, one-time payments, or permanent minimum benefit increases. The problem with nearly all, which are intentionally written to be enticing to the…