Social Security
A Complex Problem: Social Security Solvency
For over 8 decades, Social Security has been paying earned benefits on time, providing a crucial source of income for eligible Americans. A Social Security payment has never been missed since monthly payments began in 1940, and a payment has…
About SS Disability and Returning to Work
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a lifeline extended to American workers who become disabled and, thus, are unable to earn at their chosen profession. Criteria for SSDI eligibility are strict, including that the disability must be near total and…
How is the Buying Power of your Social Security benefit?
Social Security’s annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is intended to help recipients keep pace with inflation – but does it? The historic 8.7% increase in 2023 and the more moderate 3.2% COLA increase for 2024, were, without question, welcome…
Can You Live on 40% of your Income?
The answer, of course, is likely not. Reality is that Social Security, an integral part of nearly everyone’s retirement plan, was intentionally designed to replace only about 40% of your pre-retirement income. And for many, especially those with higher income…
The One Social Security Metric that Doesn’t Change
Most Social Security “metrics” (the various factors which affect your monthly benefit amount and the SS payroll taxes you pay) change each year to account for inflation and changes to the national Average Wage Index (AWI). Inflation, obviously, has an…
How Claiming Social Security Early Can Hurt You
“Because it’s there” is the reason so many working Americans claim Social Security when they turn 62 years of age. Somewhat understandable when, for a whole lifetime, you’ve been paying money into a program and are anxious to start getting…
Social Security and gray divorce
The divorce rate has doubled since 1990 for Americans over 55. For couples over 65, the rate has tripled. So, what does that mean for your Social Security benefits? For those individuals going through or who went through a gray…
Social Security and taxes
If you receive Social Security benefits, do you need to file taxes? Well, that will depend on several factors, which include marital status and your modified adjusted gross income. Katie Teague and Nina Raemont will explain how you determine if…
Is Social Security COLA keeping up with inflation
The purpose of Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security benefits keeps up with inflation. But does it? According to Brandon Selfors, the CEO of life settlement and Medicare insurance company Bridge,…
Before you claim your benefits at 62
You can receive Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62; however, you will receive a reduced benefit. Although you will receive more checks than other Social Security recipients who filed later, it does not mean you will receive…