My Comments: With the GOP now controlling the House and Senate, there is increased talk about threats to the Social Security system. After all, this is a socialist program, designed to help the financially weakest among us. I’ve long maintained that small tweaks, similar to what Congress has already done some 20-25 years ago, will …
Category: Social Security
4 Ways Social Security Could Be Healthy Again
My Comments: As someone who paid into the SSA system for over 50 years, it’s hard to describe the satisfaction my wife and I experience from the deposits made to our checking account every month. As an economist, I’ve watched how the system has been modified over the years to remain the safety net it …
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Social Security Cost-of-living Adjustments Projected to Increase Slightly in 2015
My Comments: Those of us old enough to be taking SSA benefits have experienced minimal increases in the last few years. That’s because the ‘official’ numbers for inflation have been low. There is an argument they should be even lower as a way to keep the so-called SSA reserves from going to empty. In my …
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Hidden Bonus: Taking Early Social Security Payments
My Comments: I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again: when to claim Social Security benefits is a complex question. On one hand, if you know you will live to life expectancy, it’s a fairly simple math question. But on the other hand, if you don’t know when you will die, or …
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When It Comes to Claiming Spousal Benefits, Timing Is Everything
My Comments: The questions surrounding Social Security are almost endless. It’s a complicated system and as more and more of us reach eligibility, it is clear that simply signing up as soon as you are eligible will cost you and your family lots of money and options over the years. Philip Moeller / Sept. 9, …
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Social Security Survivor Benefits: What Advisors (and clients) Should Know
My Comments: By now you know that I provide financial advice about Social Security and about ways to maximize your SSA benefits. That all happens when you are alive. Inevitably, someone in a married relationship is going to leave the building, as Elvis did. Then what happens? by Paul Norr / AUG 18, 2014 …
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Social Security: Boost Benefits for Both Spouses
My Comments: Helping potential clients with an analysis of coming Social Security benefits is big business across the country these days. And I’m doing my share of it. Thank you very much. But in spite of my being closely aligned with this process for the past 15 months, I’m still confused by the myriad of …
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What You Don’t Know About Social Security—but Should
My Comments: You may not agree with me but Social Security is a complicated issue. If you hope to find a quick and easy summary of what is implied by the title, you'll be disappointed. My assumption is that if you haven’t yet applied for Social Security benefits, that day will come, and statistics tell …
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6 Social Security Traps to Avoid
My Comments: (I’ve missed a couple of posts for which I apologize. We went to my 55th high school reunion and met some interesting people. Much more interesting than thay were 55 years ago, assuming I remembered them at all. The prevailing sentiment was to congratulate each other for being upright, breathing and taking noursishment.) …
10 Numbers Everyone Should Know About Social Security
My Comments: Understanding the Social Security system and helping clients make the best choices has become a passion for me. Before a few months ago, I never realized there were a total of 97 months to choose from when signing up for benefits. I never knew the difference between the best month and the worst …
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Helping Define Your Financial Future 