Social Security
A Deeper Dive into the Governmental Shutdown
For the 21st time since 1976, the federal government has been shut down due to Congress’s inability to reach an agreement on funding plans. What’s unknown, of course, is how long the curtailment of government services will continue. Still, if…
The Shutdown is Now Underway…What’s the Impact on Social Security Payments?
It’s here…the federal government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. today following a no vote on a stopgap funding bill that would have allowed for continued operation through November 21. Naturally, the question foremost on the minds of many of…
Government Shutdown and Social Security Payments
The absence of agreement on appropriations funding and the countdown to a government shutdown are causing some angst among the legions of Social Security beneficiaries. What will happen with the scheduled distribution of benefit payments is a logical question on…
Cautionary Remarks on the Elimination of Paper Checks
With the planned cessation of paper checks for an estimated 390,000 Social Security recipients on September 30, some sources are sounding the alarm. For example, Social Security Works president Nancy Altman yesterday published a statement describing the move as having…
More on the OBBBA “Bonus Deduction”
The “No Tax on Social Security” Promise President Trump’s campaign pledge to end the taxation of Social Security benefits met with a roadblock in the Senate, prohibiting changes to the structure of Social Security during a budget reconciliation process. Undaunted,…
Full Retirement Age In the News (Again)
Life expectancy has improved substantially since the inception of Social Security nearly a century ago. Consequently, retirement benefits need to be paid for much longer than originally intended. To borrow a phrase from Mercatus Center’s Charles P. Blahous in his…
The Role of Life Expectancy in Retirement Decisions
October is National Retirement Security Month and, thus, a good time to focus on an important question – When should I take my Social Security benefits? While there are several factors to consider when making that decision, don’t overlook the role of…
Update on the “You Earned It, You Keep It” Initiative
As many seniors are aware, “You Earned It, You Keep It” legislation is alive and well in the 119th Congress. H.R. 2909 (sponsored by Rep. Angie Craig D-MN) and S. 2716 (sponsored by Sen. Reuben Gallego D-AZ) are currently winding…
“IRMAA:” A Medicare Surprise!!
“IRMAA:” A Medicare Surprise!! Have you ever been surprised by something that occurred more than a year ago, which you must now pay for? Such is the case for many Medicare beneficiaries who are affected by a Medicare provision known…
Claim Social Security at age 62? Or 67?
Deciding when to claim your Social Security benefits is often a confusing choice, which tends to make many just claim as soon as they become eligible at age 62. But what do you forfeit by claiming at age 62, versus…