Social Security
A Sad Statistic: 30,000 died awaiting approval of SS Disability benefits
Social Security’s customer service issues are quite well known, especially by those who submit an application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. On average, it’s now taking about 8 months for an initial SSDI determination, and appeals of denied…
A Widow’s Social Security Journey
The aftermath of losing a spouse is difficult enough, without the stress of dealing with the Social Security Administration when they learn of your spouse’s death. And Social Security does find out – if not from a survivor, they’re usually…
Early Estimate of 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
While it is still way too early in the year to say with certainty what next year’s COLA increase will be, one senior’s group is suggesting that continued high inflation will likely mean another 3% (or so) increase to everyone’s…
The WEP/GPO Debate Rages On
Congress has been under considerable pressure lately over two Social Security provisions which have, for decades, irked some retirees from public service. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) affect those who have a federal, state,…
Approaching 65? Here’s what you should know about Medicare
Medicare is the national healthcare plan for those over age 65 and, as you approach that age, there are several things you should keep in mind. First, you should remember than not enrolling in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period…
Working during retirement – an increasing trend
“Back in the old days,” as some would say, you worked many years in your career, and then retired to your so-called “golden years” of leisure, collecting your pension and your Social Security benefits. Well, the “old days” are no…
Is there an ideal age to claim Social Security?
Is there an ideal age to claim Social Security? Well, recent research on this topic suggests that age 70 is the best age in most circumstances but, curiously, that is not the age at which most beneficiaries actually claimed. A…
About Taxation of Social Security benefits
It catches a lot of retirees by surprise – they claim their Social Security benefits unaware that collecting those benefits may very well result in a surprise income tax obligation when they submit their income tax to the IRS. Basically,…
Ask Rusty – Older Husband and Working Wife Seek Guidance
Dear Rusty: I am 74 years old, retired and receiving Social Security. My wife will be 65 in January of 2025. Our hope was to start paying off some credit card expense by her receiving SS when she turns 65,…
About Increasing Social Security’s Full Retirement Age
With Trust Fund depletion looming on Social Security’s financial horizon, there is no shortage of ideas for resolving the program’s financial woes to avoid a potential across-the-board cut in everyone’s benefit in less than a decade. Included in most discussions…