Social Security
Will the 2026 COLA be accurate?
How the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits is calculated is not as straightforward as you may think. First, they only use the data from the third quarter of the year, specifically the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage…
Ask Rusty – Why Can’t I get my Social Security payment plus my Railroad pension from my Ex-spouse?
Dear Rusty: I have a question. I now get a Railroad Pension from my ex-husband. I did not know it was from the Social Security Administration. I want to collect my SS benefits and my Railroad pension. Can I do…
The One Big Beautiful Bill Is Now the Law of the Land
The victory laps are underway, the pre-passage performance politics have ended, and the dust is settling on H.R. 1, “The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” Now, in the aftermath of President Trump’s Independence Day signing of this historic legislation, America’s…
Has Your Social Security Number Been Compromised?
Cyberattacks on companies that have databases containing your personal information, including your Social Security number, are becoming more and more common. A cyberattack on Kelly Benefits, a Maryland-based benefits and payroll company, has exposed the Social Security numbers of 553.660…
Social Security Increases Repayment Amount on Overpayments
If you find yourself being overpaid by Social Security, you may have to pay it back. These overpayments will start being withheld around July 24, 2025. If you received an overpayment notice issued on April 25, 2025, Social Security will…
Social Security for the Military
Some special circumstances affect Veterans and Military members when they apply for their Social Security benefits. Depending on the years you served in the Military, special additional credits may have been added to your benefit. There are also different standards…
What happened to President Trump Eliminating Taxes on Social Security?
Following its passage in the Senate, H.R. 1 (the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”)provides a larger standard deduction for seniors 65 and older. According to a post on whitehouse.gov, it is estimated that the “bonus” deduction will result in 88%…
Determining the 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment
COLA is determined each year since 1975, when automatic COLA determination began. It is based on the third quarter of the current year compared to the prior year’s third quarter, July, August, and September. The government uses the Consumer Price…
Social Security Full Retirement Age May Be Raised Again
Once again, the lawmakers must make changes to Social Security to prevent benefit cuts. Amongst the changes being considered is raising the full retirement age (FRA). It could affect the amount of your monthly payment and make you work longer.…
July 2025 Social Security Payment Schedule
It’s time for the July 2025 payments to be released. The payments for SSI will be paid on the first of July, and payments that are a combination of SSI and SSDI will be paid on the third of July.…