My Comments: Recently, I have developed an “expertise” in Social Security matters. I wish I'd had this knowledge when I reached what is known in the system as Full Retirement Age or FRA. For me, this was when I was 65 and 8 months old. I signed up and I’ve been getting checks every month …
Tag: social security benefits
6 Things About Social Security You Should Know
The idea of simply signing up for Social Security checks once you reach at 62 used to be a good idea. Not anymore. For each of us, there are 92 possible months to sign up. How do you know which one is best. And once you sign up, there is no turning back. I’ve recently …
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Is PPACA a Medicare Clone?
My Comments: I’d like to be able to say this will be my final word on the issue of Obama and the PPACA. But that’s probably not realistic. I’ve been covered by Medicare now for almost 7 years. I also own a Medicare supplement plan and a Prescription Drug plan. Together, they are not cheap. …
Social Security: A Windfall For the U.S. Government?
My Comments: I’ve talked about Social Security from time to time in this blog. I’ve expressed my opinion which contradicts that of my son (age 41). He thinks it’s unlikely he’ll ever see any benefits from what all of us know as Social Security. Some 30 years ago, there was widespread perception that it could …
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Estate Planning is Dead — Long Live Retirement Planning!
My Comments: While these comments were directed toward advisors like me, they are representative of something that happens to many of us over time. What we are trained to do, and from which we earn a living, changes and we become irrelevant. An example happened in Detroit, once the heart of American car manufacturing. And …
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Working Women Relieve Pressure on Social Security
My Comments: My son recently suggested that he had doubts about there being any money left in the social security system for when he reaches retirement age. I simply shook my head. Years ago, Congress was looking at something similar and made some changes. None of us as employees or employers were dramatically effected by …
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When to Begin Social Security? Even Advisors Aren’t Sure
My Comments: It’s hard for me to understand why this should be a difficult calculation. Until I realize that there are lots of variables in how social security benefits are payable, and the best solution is often a function of how long you live, and whether you and your spouse, assuming you have one, stay …
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4 Costly Social Security Mistakes
My Thoughts on This: This is an issue that is increasingly complicated. In the "old" days, you simply reached a certain age, signed up, and began to get a check. The size of the check was a function of how much you had contributed over the years. Then there was the possibility of starting before …
Reasons to Check Your Social Security Account
My Comments: Social Security has become part of the fabric of American society and fundamental when it comes to economic survival by those of us whose age qualifies us for benefits. At least for most of us in the 99% who don’t comprise the top 1%. It’s going to change over time, just as it …
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8 Social Security Myths Exposed
My Comments: My wife and I are proud recipients of a Social Security check every month. If that makes us "socialists" and you have a problem with that, I couldn’t care less. Demographics are going to cause adjustments in the payout to recipients, the level of contributions from working citizens, and when you can start, …
Helping Define Your Financial Future 