Social Security
Is Social Security Impacted by the Federal Grants Pause?
Within days of taking office, President Trump ordered a pause on all grants and loans already approved by the government. What does this mean to Social Security and Medicare? According to the memo, the pause does not include “assistance provided…
There aren’t any quick fixes to Social Security insolvency
When combining the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund (OASI) and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund (DI), Social Security will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2035, according to the Social Security Trustee Report for…
Are Social Security benefits taxed?
Do you have to pay income taxes on your Social Security benefit? About 40 percent of people who get Social Security must pay federal income taxes on their benefits. However, this usually happens if you have other substantial income in…
The Social Security Fairness Act may take up to a year to implement
The Social Security Administration has taken several steps to tell people what it is doing to implement the Social Security Fairness Act and to provide important updates; however, it may be up to a year or longer to adjust benefits…
Will you qualify for back payments under the Social Security Fairness Act?
The Social Security Fairness Act signed into law on January 5th, ended the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits of over 3.2 million people who receive a pension…
Not just retirees who are impacted by Social Security changes
Although the yearly announcement from Social Security on the upcoming changes is aimed at retirees, those still working need to be aware of those changes as well. Why? Maurie Backman explains the two new rules for 2025 that could affect…
Prices might be rising faster than the Social Security COLA
In 2025, the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment was 2.5 percent; however, the cost of living is still high. On a national average, a single person would need $2,099 per month without a mortgage to cover housing, food, transportation, health care,…
Ask Rusty – About Social Security Benefits for Someone with Multiple Ex-spouses
Dear Rusty: If a financially well-off individual had multiple ex-spouses, could it happen that the multiple ex-spouses could each be collecting Social Security based on their own financial situation as compared to their rich ex-spouses? Thus, multiple payouts by SS?…
“Ask Rusty- Clarification of Medicare, IRMAA and MAGI”
Dear Rusty: I am confused by an article in my local newspaper which said that “MAGI” (modified adjusted gross income), on which my Medicare Part B premium is based, is my Adjusted Gross Income, plus any non-taxable interest, plus 50%…
A Look Back in Time: Comparison of Social Security Benefits in 1974 and 2024
Stefon Walters for The Motley Fool provides a look at how Social Security has increased over the years. He also mentions the difference in the cost of goods between then and now. Read here… The link provided above connects readers to…