Social Security
Social Security Problems: AI to the Rescue?
The recent back-and-forth policy positions on field office contacts have created confusion for the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) customer base. At the same time, the roughly 400,000 callers each day continue to face hold times of more than an hour.…
Looking Ahead to Your Social Security Benefit
Whether you’re just looking at averages or have seen your forecasted benefit amount at full retirement age, you may have been surprised at the level of payment you’ll receive. The fact that Social Security is only intended, on average, to…
Grads: Social Security Will be There for You, But It Won’t Be Enough
Young folks stepping into a career aren’t likely to pay much attention to the other end of the spectrum…their retirement years. That’s a given, and besides, Social Security will be there when it’s needed, despite the hoopla about insolvency, benefit…
Heavy Traffic Ahead for Serniors Needing to Interact with Social Security Field Personnel
Several staff cuts, operational modifications, and procedural changes have been implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to achieve cost savings across the Social Security spectrum. While that may produce the desired spending reductions, it will also exacerbate the…
Social Security Uncertainty Weighing on the Minds of Seniors
Two recent media posts have cited a growing level of concern among Americans in retirement or approaching Social Security eligibility. First, a post by Fox13 Salt Lake City’s Kelly Chapman (click here) suggests that “policy changes and uncertainty about the…
“Clean-Up” of Social Security Records Continues, Driven by DOGE
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reports that as of late last week, a major step in the clean-up of Social Security master file records has been completed. DOGE’s “X” post notes, “After 11 weeks, @SocialSecurity has finished this major…
Social Security’s Average Monthly Benefit Hits a New Milestone
The month of May is expected to see the average monthly benefit for retired workers reach the $2,000 level for the first time in history. For a quick comparison, the average benefit at the same point in 2015 was $1,363,…
Ask Rusty – I’m a Retired Veteran; Why must I pay for Medicare?
Dear Rusty: I’m a retired Navy veteran who is going to be turning 65 years old this year. My question is concerning mandatory Medicare sign-up requirements. Why do I have to sign up for Medicare coverage at 65 when I…
Carrying Debt Into Retirement…a “Generational Time Bomb”
Noted entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary offers sobering thoughts on a trend emerging in the retirement world: seniors moving into that life phase with a heavy debt load. In a recent post on thestreet.com, O’Leary observes: “Nearly two-thirds of families led by…
Social Security and Garnishment: Taking a Look at the New Rules
The new rules for outstanding student loan debt have changed the landscape for many Social Security beneficiaries. And that’s not a trivial number of folks, since it’s estimated that about 5 million recipients of Social Security benefits have outstanding federal…