Social Security
The Case Against a Payroll Tax Cut
As we pointed out in our March 18 headline post, the idea of a payroll tax reduction or the complete elimination of the payroll tax for a period of time could have serious consequences for a program already in the…
Women and Social Security: The Importance of Leveling the Playing Field With Education
Effective retirement planning requires quite a bit of focused attention, but it also requires an in-depth understanding of the rules and options surrounding Social Security’s key decision points. In a post on plansponsor.com, Journalist and Editorial Assistant Amanda Umpierrez offers…
SSA Offers Extensive Q&A Covering Their Services During Pandemic
Offering a host of guidelines on their operations and operational status during the coronavirus pandemic, the Social Security Administration published an advisory to the public designed to address likely concerns in the days and weeks ahead. The advisory addresses payment…
Using Social Security’s online retirement planners
Anyone looking ahead to retirement is probably aware of the importance of understanding the details needed to make effective decisions. In an effort to help those interested in acquiring this understanding, SSA Public Affairs Specialist Catherine LeBlanc has posted an article on…
Just in–Social Security Now Serving 69.3 million Beneficiaries
The Social Security Administration this week released its February 2020 monthly statistical report, showing an increase of 155,000 in the number of folks receiving benefit payments from the system. Two-thirds of this increase is in the “aged 65 or older,” as…
Understanding the “Taxability” of Your Social Security Benefits
It comes as a blunt surprise to many folks, but the monthly benefits paid to them out of Social Security can be subject to federal income tax. Yes, even though the proceeds are the result of taxes they’ve already paid,…
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Important Information about Social Security Services
(Source: Social Security Administration) All local Social Security offices will be closed to the public for in-person service starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. This decision protects the population we serve—older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions—and our employees during…
Ask Rusty – Using IRA instead of Claiming SS; Disability Appeal
Dear Rusty: I am currently unemployed and drawing funds from my IRA. I am 62 years old. My financial adviser instructed me to not take Social Security because once I do that the percentage of increase would stop. He said…
How long does your “nest egg” need to last?
It’s a frightening question to many, especially those who have a pretty good idea that their accumulated retirement savings just might not be sufficient. It’s also a question that by its very nature is unanswerable. It’s sort of like “how…
Social Security and the Candidates: Who’s Saying What?
Political footballs are nothing new, especially in an election year. And Social Security reform has, as expected, risen to the attention of the remaining candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination. Just take a look at the exchange of viewpoints that surfaced…