Social Security
Examining Three Key Social Security Reform Ideas
As the clock continues to wind down toward the full depletion of Social Security’s financial reserves, interest is growing in discussions about the inevitability of structural changes to avert insolvency. Recent controversy surrounding the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is evidence…
Definition Time: “Computational Years” and How They Affect Benefits
Social Security retirement benefits are based on earnings history, currently using 35 “computation years” to develop an average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) figure for use as the base for determining a retiree’s primary insurance amount (PIA). AIME represents the retirees’…
Are you earning enough work credits to qualify for Social Security?
You must work for at least 10 years to earn the 40 credits you need to qualify for Social Security benefits. Each year, the amount you need to earn tends to increase. It is driven by the national average wage…
Is it worth delaying your Social Security benefits until age 70?
Age 70 is when you receive your maximum Social Security benefit. You become eligible as early as 62, but did you realize your Social Security benefit grows 76% between ages 62 and 70? If you are in good health, still…
Your Personal “my Social Security” Account
Think about this: how often do you check on your personal finances, for example, the amount of money in your savings account, or how your investment portfolio is doing? Chances are that the answer is – you check from time…
How the shutdown has impacted SSA
How is Social Security being impacted by the longest government shutdown in history? First, there are no widespread closures or disruptions to services. There were at least three offices around the nation that were closed, but for reasons not related…
Social Security changes for 2026
It’s that time of year again when the Social Security Administration announces the program changes for 2026. What are those changes? Among those changes is that Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8 percent increase in 2026. Stefon Walters, writing…
The maximum benefit in 2026
Along with the annual cost-of-living adjustment announcement, the Social Security Administration also released other program changes for 2026. Among the much-anticipated COLA amounts were the annual taxable earnings, the annual earnings test, and the maximum possible Social Security benefit for…
Will you lose all your COLA increase to Medicare?
On October 24th, the Social Security Administration announced a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment. This announcement means that, on average, the monthly Social Security benefit will increase by $56. However, many people are awaiting the announcement of the Medicare Part B…
Should we change how COLA is calculated?
Social Security recipients will receive their 2.8 percent COLA increase in January; however, with the annual inflation rate of 3 percent, seniors are struggling to keep up with rising prices. Not only are seniors dissatisfied with the meager amount, but…