Social Security
Is there a reasonable solution to Social Security woes?
Social Security Trust Fund will be able to pay scheduled benefits on a timely basis until 2034, according to the latest report. At that time, the reserves will become depleted. Continuing tax income will be sufficient to pay 77 percent…
How will the banking crisis affect Social Security funding
According to the 2022 report from the Social Security trustees, the trust funds will run out of money by 2035; however, the Congressional Budget Office projects insolvency could come even sooner. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is working on…
Social Security benefits may not increase as much next year
Approximately 70 million Americans–Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries–saw an increase of 8.7 percent in their monthly benefits in 2023. According to new research from the Bank of American Institute, the cost-of-living adjustment for 2023 was one of…
Did you receive an overpayment notice from the Social Security?
Yes, the Social Security Administration does make mistakes. How does this happen? There are a few reasons, but usually, the overpayments occur due to an individual not notifying Social Security of changes happening in their life. So how does Social…
Ask Rusty – Widow Stung by Social Security’s “Claw Back” Rule
Dear Rusty: My husband of 48 years died on December 30th, and he received a Social Security direct deposit for December’s benefits in early January, but Social Security demanded the bank return his December payment. I used part of his…
What you need to know about retirement ages in the US
Your age matters when it comes to Social Security benefits. You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62; however, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you…
Three ways to supplement your retirement savings
Millions of Americans face the reality of spending their senior years in straitened circumstances, struggling to make ends meet. However, if you are one of those individuals who are low on retirement savings, all is not lost. Maurie Backman explains…
Social Security and the Debt Limit Fight
There’s been quite a bit of back-and-forth about the upcoming negotiations on the federal debt ceiling, and much of it had to do with whether or not Social Security (and Medicare, for that matter) were factors in the arguments. In…
The Logic Behind Raising the Full Retirement Age
Although it appears to be developing into somewhat of a political football, the issue of increasing the Social Security full retirement age has a rational perspective. A recent forbes.com post by senior contributor Chris Carosa takes a look at the…
Social Security’s Lump-Sum Payment Provision
Marcia Mantell, RMA®, NSSA®, in a post on thestreet.com, provides a bit of history associated with Social Security’s often misunderstood lump-sum benefit provision. Her post explains the 6-month lump-sum payout available to claimants electing to start their benefits at (or…