Social Security
Gen X and Social Security: A Changing Landscape
A recent MetLife study, titled “Study on Gen X: The MTV Generation Moves Into Midlife,” concluded that the population group referred to as Generation X (those with birth years ranging from the early-to-mid 1960s to the early 1980s) have come to understand…
Right vs. Wrong: A Look at America
Star-Herald publisher Greg Awtry shares some Memorial Day-type thoughts on America, with a specific focus on a long list of comparisons of rights and wrongs that go a long way toward defining the challenges we face. Among his list of comparisons…
Retirement…The Elusive Goalposts
Statistics show that Americans are remaining in the workforce longer these daysm, with labor force participation rates among men and women showing significant increases compared to the 1990s. As explained by MarketWatch’s Alessandra Malito in a post on marketwatch.com, there are several key…
A Quick Review of FRA and its Implications
The Motley Fool’s Matthew Frankel, in a post today on www.fool.com, re-explains the full retirement age (FRA) concept, noting that a Fidelity Investments survey last year concluded that only about a quarter of Americans were aware of theirs. His post goes…
Some Social Security Basics
Social Security Administration public affairs specialist Essie Landry, in a post today on syvnews.com, reviews a series of beginner-type questions for those approaching the world of Social Security. Beginning with the mySSA subject and continuing through the timing of benefit applications, her…
SSA Office Closings Intensify Public Concerns
Recently-announced plans to close Social Security Administration field offices in Arlington and Baltimore have shed new light on a wave of discontent among the elderly and those in need of on-site service from the agency. Washington Post reporter Patricia Sullivan, in a…
Retiring Abroad? Here are some things to think about.
If you’re planning to join the more than half million Social Security recipients living their retirement in a foreign country, there are some key planning steps you need to consider. Personal finance writer Darla Mercado, in a post on www.cnbc.com, provides some…
Avoiding the “Never Ending Worklife”
It’s no secret that many previously-retired folks are re-entering the workforce. There’s a pretty constant stream of articles about this “phenomenon,” covering the reasons why, and they range from boredom to the simple fact that Social Security income may not…
An Update on the Case for Social Security Reform
As the calendar continues its relentless march toward 2034, and as media accounts of what this date means to the solvency of Social Security repeatedly surface, there continues to be a clear message that near-term progress to address the problem is unlikely.…
The Impact of Deferring Social Security Benefits
The Motley Fool’s Katie Brockman provides a review of the financial benefit–in terms of monthly payments–resulting from delaying one’s Social Security benefits until age 70, citing the “advantage” that accrues in the form of 8% delayed retirement credits each year. Her…