Social Security
What’s good for you may not be good for your spouse
About 40 percent of older Americans rely solely on Social Security income during retirement. So, there is a good chance either you or your spouse will fall into this category. That is why it is so important to focus on…
What if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling?
The U.S. is reaching the national debt limit on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Unless Congress increases the debt limit, the United States will have to pay its bills late and could default on its debt which has never happened. According…
Washington has some big ideas for how to fix the Social Security problem
The Social Security program was never intended to be the sole source of income for American workers in their retirement. However, according to the Social Security Administration, more than 50% of seniors aged 65 and above rely on Social Security…
Should you claim Social Security at 65?
Full retirement age is when you become eligible for unreduced Social Security retirement benefits. Your full retirement age is determined by the year and month you were born. The retirement age gradually increases by a few months for every birth…
The average Social Security benefit in 2023
The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries this month. The 2023 COLA is one of the largest since 1981 when benefits rose by 11.2 percent. The average Social…
Keep your COLA letter in a safe place
You should have received a letter from Social Security Administration concerning your new 2023 Social Security benefit amount, which increased by 8.7 percent in January. Do not throw out or lose that letter. Why? You may need it for several…
Avoid these three costly mistakes
Social Security provides a foundation of retirement protection for nearly all people in the U.S. Social Security provides a guaranteed, progressive benefit that keeps up with increases in the cost of living. However, there are no guarantees on how much…
Should you should retire now?
You can begin your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, If you start receiving benefits early, your benefits are reduced. You are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay…
Social Security Filing Strategies…The Importance of Fully Understanding the Rules
Let’s start with an understatement…Social Security is complex. The issues of when to file, and how to file, for benefits are something we deal with repeatedly in the AMAC Foundation Social Security Advisory Service. Many folks come to us with…
SSA Website Upgrades Driven by Customer Feedback
In an era of improving the customer experience, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has implemented significant improvements to its online presence, as explained by SSA’s acting chief business officer, Eric Powers n an interview with Federal News Network reporter Tom…