Social Security
Nationwide Retirement Institute’s 10th Annual Social Security Survey–The Good & Bad News
The 2023 edition of Nationwide’s annual survey produced some striking differences of opinion regarding the viability of Social Security, with 40% of the more than 1800 respondents saying they’re very confident (or at least confident) about the program’s staying power…
Thoughts on Dealing With the Dreaded Federal Income Tax on Social Security Benefits
It often comes as a surprise (and not a pleasant one, at that) to the newly retired when they file their federal income tax return after beginning their Social Security retirement benefits and find that receiving this benefit ups their…
Iowa Caucusgoers Show Slight Preference for Social Security Privatization
It’s still about six months until the Iowa Republican caucuses commence, but a Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa poll sought to get a feel for the preferences of those likely to attend. Social Security was one of the seven questions…
The Disparate Effects of Social Security Reductions
GoBankingRate.com contributor Vance Cariaga, in a post today on their website, takes a look at what potential Social Security benefit cuts would mean for women. Using average benefit calculations as a basis for discussion, Cariaga notes that an across-the-board cut…
An Argument for Privatization of Social Security
Calling it a situation where there were “missed many opportunities” for improving the characterization of Social Security, European Fulbright scholar Ottumwan Siegfried “Sig” H. Sutterlin offers an essay on the history of the program and how there were occasions through…
Assessing Social Security’s Role in the “Transition” to Retirement
In an article challenging the belief that there is a widespread “retirement crisis” in play in America, contributor John Sullivan of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) offers a different view of how Social Security factors into…
Our Social Security Program Continues to Evolve, But Some Things Do Not Change
It’s common knowledge these days that America’s Social Security program is presently locked into a trajectory that will lead it to insolvency in less than a decade. While there are many resolutions on the drawing board to avoid reaching that…
Raising Taxes to Rescue Social Security?
It’s mentioned a lot by pundits and Democrat politicians– raise payroll taxes to fix Social Security’s ill financial health. Maurie Backman explains the program’s troubles (insolvency hits around 2033-34) followed by various tax raising proposals. One is to increase the…
There is plenty of concern about Social Security among current retirees.
The Social Security program is vital to many Americans who depend on it in retirement. However, the Social Security Trust Fund reserves are running out of money. When that happens, Social Security will only be able to pay about 80…
Making an informed choice about when to claim Social Security
Starting your Social Security retirement benefits is an important step on your retirement journey. The Social Security Administration reports: Elderly Social Security beneficiaries, 12 percent of men and 15 percent of women, rely on Social Security for 90 percent or…