Social Security
Retirement Planning and Longevity Insurance
A very common concern in the minds of so many seniors these days, given Social Security’s muddied long-term future, raging inflation, and the economy in general, is the possibility of outliving accumulated financial resources. To use a popular phrase, “It’s…
Social Security’s Place in Your Financial Plan for Retirement
There are many details that those approaching retirement decisions are not clear on, especially the details of some of the options like spouse benefits, survivor benefits, family benefits, and so on. But if you’re at the point of assessing what…
Social Security and the Rule of Averages
Many folks like to compare themselves to others and especially to others in their peer group, and when it comes to claiming Social Security benefits and the general topic of financial planning for retirement, that becomes an even more interesting…
A Brief Review of the SSDI Process
The topic of Social Security Disability takes center stage in a video by attorney Chris Jancula from central Pennsylvania law firm Gieg and Jancula, LLC. In the four-minute YouTube video, Attorney Jancula provides an introduction to Social Security’s provisions designed…
The Importance of Adequate SSA Funding to Fight Identity Theft
Follow-up commentary from last week’s Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee hearing on Social Security number (SSN)-related identity theft continues to show up in media outlets. Here are remarks from the testimony of Retired IAM General Secretary-Treasurer and current Alliance…
Getting the Most Out of Social Security…It takes Some Careful Planning
Building on the Social Security premise espoused by President Dwight D. Eisenhower decades ago, it’s important to keep the program’s basic purpose in focus. President Eisenhower’s comment adds a classic perspective: ( Social Security) “is not intended as a substitute…
Getting Set For Retirement? Some Important Steps to Take
The decision to claim you Social Security benefits requires quite a bit of thought, as well as an understanding of the fundamental rules you’ll need to navigate. But before you begin to dig in earnestly, there are three very basic…
Pop Quiz Time: 13 Things You Need to Know About Social Security
From time to time, we include on this site “refresher” type quizzes covering Social Security basics. It’s always a good time to check your understanding of some of the basics of this critical senior benefit program, since a lack of…
Social Security’s $8.6 Billion Accounts Receivable Problem
Yesterday, in a Latest News post on this site, we provided a link to an article describing staffing and budget issues at the Social Security Administration and their impact on client service levels at the agency. Today, we explore an…
Social Security and End-of-Life Considerations
The question of how to handle Social Security matters when a beneficiary dies is not quite as simple as you would think. For example, there’s the issue of handling the beneficiary’s last check. And then there’s the matter of ensuring…