Social Security
Can I get Both SS Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
“SSDI” is Social Security’s Disability Insurance program specifically designed to protect Americans who become disabled and unable to work for at lease one year. “SSI” is a Supplemental Security Income program designed to provide assistance to needy Americans, including those…
Social Security for Children
If you are an older parent of a minor child, you may not be aware that when you claim Social Security benefits your minor child may also be eligible for Social Security benefits. There are, of course, restrictions and the…
Rethinking Retirement
If you read the news at all, you are almost certainly aware that America has a “retirement problem.” That is, most Americans are woefully unprepared for their retirement, and likely have no plan in place to correct that issue. To…
Redefining “Retirement” (to include working)
The word “retirement” usually conjures up an image of simply hanging up one’s work boots and living a life of leisure, maybe just lounging in a hammock and reading or, perhaps, traveling to exotic places. But in these days of…
The Importance of your Full Retirement Age to your Social Security retirement benefit
Each year, the Social Security Administration changes some rules affecting your benefits, so knowing the changes goes a long way toward choosing when to claim Social Security. Your “full retirement age” – which is when you get 100% of the…
Reapplying for Lost SS Disability benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are available to those who experience a disability which prevents them from working, but there are fairly stringent rules to qualify for SSDI benefits. Among those rules are: a) the disability must be expected…
Steps for changing your address with Medicare
If you have permanently changed your address, you must update Medicare and Social Security. Especially Medicare Advantage plan members, since moving to a new county or state could affect your coverage. What are the steps for changing your address with…
Was the 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) enough?
Well, almost certainly not, according to Maurie Backman in this Yahoo! Finance article. You see, annual COLA increases are actually “backward looking” – that is, they are based upon inflation which has already occurred, and they may not offset today’s…
Medicare’s “enrollment periods” explained
Although most people enroll in Medicare during their “Initial Enrollment Period” (IEP), which starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months thereafter, there are other times which you can also sign up for Medicare healthcare…
Not sure your nest egg will support your retirement? Here are some tips to correct that.
Many who are approaching retirement are uncomfortable that their savings and investment (otherwise called their “nest egg”) will be enough to keep them comfortable in retirement. It that is you, and you still have some time to adjust, then this…