Social Security
Full Retirement Age In the News (Again)
Life expectancy has improved substantially since the inception of Social Security nearly a century ago. Consequently, retirement benefits need to be paid for much longer than originally intended. To borrow a phrase from Mercatus Center’s Charles P. Blahous in his…
The Role of Life Expectancy in Retirement Decisions
October is National Retirement Security Month and, thus, a good time to focus on an important question – When should I take my Social Security benefits? While there are several factors to consider when making that decision, don’t overlook the role of…
Update on the “You Earned It, You Keep It” Initiative
As many seniors are aware, “You Earned It, You Keep It” legislation is alive and well in the 119th Congress. H.R. 2909 (sponsored by Rep. Angie Craig D-MN) and S. 2716 (sponsored by Sen. Reuben Gallego D-AZ) are currently winding…
“IRMAA:” A Medicare Surprise!!
“IRMAA:” A Medicare Surprise!! Have you ever been surprised by something that occurred more than a year ago, which you must now pay for? Such is the case for many Medicare beneficiaries who are affected by a Medicare provision known…
Claim Social Security at age 62? Or 67?
Deciding when to claim your Social Security benefits is often a confusing choice, which tends to make many just claim as soon as they become eligible at age 62. But what do you forfeit by claiming at age 62, versus…
Government Shutdown? Medicare and Social Security Benefits to Continue Uninterrupted
With much partisan rhetoric, Washington, D.C. Democrats and Republicans seem to be headed for an impasse when it comes to keeping government daily operations funded after September 30th. Both sides seem to be locked into their respective legislative priorities, with…
Retirement planning isn’t just about the numbers!
Advice from financial experts seems to be quite plentiful on the internet, offering techniques to earnestly save so that you can retire in comfort. Such factors as “having ten times your salary,” and the so-called “4% rule” are two of…
The High Cost of Healthcare!!!
We all know that healthcare costs rise over time, especially as we age. So the news that higher Medicare premiums, deductibles, and surcharges are expected to go up over the next decade is hardly new news. But what may be…
Reminder: Social Security checks will no longer be sent via US Mail after September 30th.
The Social Security Administration has issued a warning to all those who currently receive their monthly Social Security payment by paper checks: The agency will discontinue issuing monthly SS payments by U.S. Mail after September 30, 2025. This means that…
Will I Get A 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)?
Traditionally, as we approach the 4th quarter each year, we have come to expect the announcement of various Social Security changes for the upcoming year. Probably the most highly anticipated of these changes is the annual Cost of Living Adjustment…