Social Security
Getting Set For Retirement? Some Important Steps to Take
The decision to claim you Social Security benefits requires quite a bit of thought, as well as an understanding of the fundamental rules you’ll need to navigate. But before you begin to dig in earnestly, there are three very basic…
Pop Quiz Time: 13 Things You Need to Know About Social Security
From time to time, we include on this site “refresher” type quizzes covering Social Security basics. It’s always a good time to check your understanding of some of the basics of this critical senior benefit program, since a lack of…
Social Security’s $8.6 Billion Accounts Receivable Problem
Yesterday, in a Latest News post on this site, we provided a link to an article describing staffing and budget issues at the Social Security Administration and their impact on client service levels at the agency. Today, we explore an…
Social Security and End-of-Life Considerations
The question of how to handle Social Security matters when a beneficiary dies is not quite as simple as you would think. For example, there’s the issue of handling the beneficiary’s last check. And then there’s the matter of ensuring…
An Update on Spousal Benefits and Some Details You May Not Know
Social Security has myriad rules and regulations, and many times not knowing some of the key points can cause certain benefit opportunities to be overlooked. This is true in the case of spousal benefits, and particularly in the area of…
The Maximum Social Security Benefit–Getting It is Not Easy
For this year, the highest benefit available via Social Security is $4,555 per month ($54,660 annually), but very few folks are able to claim that amount. To understand why that is so, take a look at a post on msn.com…
Assessing Your Social Security Readiness
Social Security can be fairly complex, and anyone who has sailed those waters can tell you that there are some basic things you should know before you get to the point of claiming your earned benefits. The Motley Fool’s Christy…
Dealing With Social Security’s Inherent Inability to Ensure Retirement
The more you look at Social Security, and the more you ponder its place in your retirement planning strategy, the more you become aware of the program’s basic premise. This premise, in simple terms, is to keep seniors from falling…
In Defense of Social Security Administration Staff
There are many perceptions around the country regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the Social Security Administration and its field staff, and there are a number of “war stories” about bad experiences folks have had. As is the case in…
Default Effects: Oldest and Poorest Social Security Beneficiaries in the Crosshairs
As the negotiations grind relentlessly toward a June 1 deadline, anxiety is building in the senior community regarding just what will happen should the U.S. Treasury enter default status. Amid conflicting commentary on whether or not an agreement can be…