Social Security
Returning to the Workforce in Retirement? Here’s a Common Question
Rejoining the workforce after claiming retirement benefits, as well as claiming benefits while continuing to work, raises an oft-asked question: Will my benefit increase as a result of paying more FICA taxes? That’s the subject of an msn.com article posted…
Ask Rusty – Is Social Security Really a ‘good deal?’
Dear Rusty: You’ve said in the past that most people recoup their SS contributions within five years of starting benefits, thus Social Security “is an exceptionally good deal.” Your calculation is correct but misleading; if it were not, SS would…
More Perspective on the 2026 2.8% COLA
Yes, the 2026 adjustment is more than last year’s increase and, yes, it represents the fifth consecutive year of at least a 2.5 percent increase, something that hasn’t happened in about three decades. But all that aside, how does the 2026…
The 2026 Maximum Social Security Benefit…And How to Obtain It.
After application of the most recent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the Social Security Administration calculates that the maximum monthly benefit in 2026 has reached $5,251. That’s just a tad over $63,000 a year…an attractive retirement supplement in the eyes of many…
CEPR Examines Federal Budget, Comments on Social Security Insolvency Actions
The fiscal future of America is in question, repeatedly, these days. With the National Debt Clock showing the real-time accumulation of public debt at over $38 trillion, there’s quite a bit of consternation in the media over the economic implications…
Re-thinking the COLA Process
Two recent posts in the Social Security section of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) daily Newsline service provided readers with a recap of Social Security’s 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The articles explained the process for determining the adjustment, and both included…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Be Careful of the Pitfalls
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all the rage these days, with even the U.S. government getting on the bandwagon to try to harness this new and exciting technology. And it is, indeed, exciting, and a convenient method to do research, especially…
Significant Progress at SSA during 2025!
Long the target of disgruntled beneficiaries, headline seeking mainstream media, and some Congressional Representatives, the Social Security Administration has just provided a report on its accomplishments and progress in fiscal year 2025. The report, detailed in a letter to Congress…
Demystifying Child-in-Care Spouse Benefits
Spouse Benefits Available at any Age Most couples know that age 62 is the normal minimum age to apply for spousal benefits. But many are not aware that spouse benefits are available to spouses at any age if they are…
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Immigration and Social Security
This piece by the Center for Immigration Studies explains everything you ever wanted to know about immigration and how it is handled by the Social Security Administration. As we know, illegal immigration has skyrocketed in preceding years of a previous…