Social Security
What’s Happening With Retirement Confidence in the U.S.?
Recent surveys Charles Schwab and Fidelity reveal an alarming trend: Confidence in American’s ability to adequately prepare for retirement is falling. In fact, an Investopedia post by reporter Aaron McDade suggests that about a third of the 1,100 401 (k)…
Analyzing two key potential Social Security changes offered for consideration
As noted in today’s headline post on this site, many policy experts are weighing in with specific proposals to adjust Social Security that could help address the program’s impending financial crisis. In a post today on MarketWatch.com, retirement reporter Jessica…
Capping COLA: What Would it Mean for Social Security Solvency?
Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is, naturally, in the news these days. The announcement of an across-the-board 2.8% increase beginning in January has generated quite a bit of commentary, including criticism for its inability to help seniors combat inflation.…
Earning the Maximum Social Security Retirement Benefit
For 2026, the highest possible monthly retirement benefit available will be $5,251 after application of the annual cost-of-living adjustment. Sounds like a lot, of course, and many folks wonder how to go about setting themselves up to collect that size…
Retirement Earnings Test Increase for 2026
Many Social Security benefit recipients who have not yet reached their full retirement age (FRA) but continue working are aware (or should be) of the Retirement Earnings Test, which limits the amount of income they can earn before benefits are…
Perspectives on the Taxation of Social Security Benefits
President Trump has led the most recent charge to rescue Social Security beneficiaries from the pain of income tax assessments, but that’s certainly not the first time the thought has emerged. Through the years, many have argued that including a…
How Years Out of the Workforce Impact Benefits
Future retirees who, for one reason or another, have stepped away from the taxpaying workforce for extended periods need to be aware of the process for calculating their eventual Social Security benefits. Although often viewed as a bit arcane, this…
A Reflection on the 2026 COLA
The recent announcement of a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits has been widely panned as inadequate given the economic environment seniors face. Sure, it’s more than last year’s 2.5 percent, but many pundits note that the…
Delaying Benefits to Age 70–The Argument Rages
Claiming Social Security benefits at age 62–the earliest possible age to collect retirement benefits–is still the most popular choice for those aging into the system. More than a fifth of new filers choose that option, despite the reduction from their…
“It’s your job to educate yourself…”
Former Social Security Administration director of public information Tom Margenau, a 32-year veteran of various positions in the agency, has a direct style when answering questions — and complaints — about agency services. In media vernacular, he tells it like…