Social Security
A Clear Perspective on Whether or Not Congress has Stolen From Social Security
The popular opinion you may see on Social Media is that Social Security’s financial woes are caused by the fact that Congress stole money from Social Security and never paid it back. What is the real reason for the situation?…
Social Security Bridging Strategy–Will it Work For Your Situation?
Planning a strategic approach to a Social Security claiming strategy requires serious thought and discussion with qualified advisors and. Depending on your situation, a “bridge strategy” is often recommended to maximize benefits conveniently. In simple terms, a “bridge strategy” is…
Now’s a Good Time to Review Your Social Security Information
It’s the start of a new year, so before time gets away from you, now might be a good time to re-examine the information you’ve been accumulating relative to Social Security. Even if you’re not ready–or able–to file for benefits,…
3-year Treasury/SSA Fraud Prevention Interaction Produces Results
In these days of trillion-dollar discussions involving Social Security’s long-term financing, it may not be that big a deal, but the recovery of millions of dollars of improper payments to deceased individuals is still worthy of note. Current projections are…
A Quick Review of Basics and the Common Mistakes Folks Make on Social Security
“Common Social Security mistakes and what you need to know” is the theme of a post on Fox2Detroit’s Wealth Wednesday segment. The post features an interview with the Retirement Education Foundation’s Michael Masserant discussing the importance of understanding all of Social…
Framing the Need for Pension and Social Security Reform
Although it does not provide details, this article posted at fundsforngos.org offers a framework for understanding the criticality of reform measures to sustain programs designed to ensure that retirees can maintain a basic standard of living after they have stopped…
Resumption of Past-Due Student Debt May Impact Many Retirees
As if the continuing rise in the cost of living isn’t enough, nearly half a million Social Security beneficiaries carrying past-due student debt are facing the potential of “harsh consequences.” As explained in a money.com post by Pete Grieve, the…
Some Suggestions for Dealing with the Unknowns of Retirement Finances
Planning for the financial side of retirement can be a daunting task. After all, it’s kind of like the famous (infamous?) remarks uttered in 2002 by then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who said, “[A]s we know, there are known knowns;…
Examining the Retirement Earnings Test
Social Security regulations stipulate that upon beginning retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits, beneficiaries are considered “retired” and expected to leave the workforce. Current regulations allow for continued earning from employment for those who claim benefits before their full retirement age…
Boosting Your Monthly Social Security Benefit Payment
Getting the highest benefit payment you’re entitled to is a legitimate goal for seniors in their retirement financial planning, but how do you do that? Well, one of the most obvious steps is to defer claiming benefits as long as…