A “gray divorce” generally refers to spouses divorcing later in life, usually after decades of marriage. A common question that comes up within this group of individuals pertains to how a divorce may impact a spouse’s social...more
The Social Security Administration (SSA) website hosts a wealth of online tools that offer you convenient access to benefits information. To make the most of these tools, simply create a my Social Security account online. It...more
I saw a recent article by Matthew Breunig, suggesting that instead of cutting Social Security, we should end the tax breaks for 401(k) plans. He claims that the tax advantage of IRAs and defined contribution plans is $371...more
This week, the Ninth Circuit considers the President’s authority to remove the Commissioner of Social Security. KAUFMANN V. KIJAKAZI - The Court invalidates that statutory removal provision for the Commissioner of...more
The year was 1983: The U.S. invaded Granada. A gallon of gas cost 96 cents. Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ video premiered. That year was also the last time that Social Security recipients saw a cost-of-living increase steeper...more
Studies have found that workers overestimate how much they will receive in Social Security benefits when they retire. Having a good understanding of the realities can help you plan for retirement. Researchers from the...more
The new numbers reflecting the 2021 cost-of-living increase Social Security benefits are now available! Here are some of the more the important 2021 federal numbers:...more
A new report finds that almost no retirees are making financially optimal decisions about when to take Social Security and are losing out on more than $100,000 per household in the process. The average Social Security...more
Beginning with their January 2019 payment, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive larger benefit amounts, due to a 2.8 per cent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) (the largest increase since...more
As our readers know, I am particularly interested in protecting our seniors from fraud. They continue to be a vulnerable population and unfortunately, here is another scam that makes me mad: social security fraud....more
For those nearing the age when they can begin receiving Social Security benefits, it’s important to understand how the timing of applying for benefits can affect monthly payments. This article explains what factors to...more
If you have been reading the news lately, we have seen lots of electronic ink spilled over entitlement programs, especially Medicaid and its role in health care reform. Meanwhile, the report of the Trustees of the Social...more
Americans are misinformed about many aspects of Social Security, and local Social Security offices may not be helping, according to a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The study found that the Social...more
The Social Security Administration has announced changes for 2017. Social Security benefit payments will increase by .3% (3/10s of 1%) next year. The Social Security Wage Base, the amount of income subject to Social Security...more
The holidays are here and most families are busy shopping for gifts for their loved ones. According to the National Retail Federation, gift cards are once again expected to be the most popular gift given because they are easy...more
The nation's elderly and disabled Social Security recipients will receive a 1.7 percent increase in payments in 2015. This is expected to raise the average monthly payment for the typical retired worker by $22. The increase...more
While the Social Security Administration (SSA) frequently conducts reviews to make sure that people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are still eligible for those...more
When to begin receiving Social Security benefits depends on each person’s individual circumstances. This article shows how to determine a breakeven point — the age at which the dollar value of more (but smaller) payments...more
In K.I. v. Wagner, 2014 DJDAR 5546 (2014), the California Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District granted partial attorney fees in a social security proceeding. An attorney represented a minor who was disabled by...more
Not long ago, the Unites States Supreme Court in MetLife v. Glenn, 128 S. Ct. 2343 (2008) gave a stern warning to plan fiduciaries who required a claimant to apply for disability benefits with the Social Security...more
From time to time, we hear about threats to the Social Security System – even talk about eliminating it for younger workers. Some reports indicate that about half of Americans have less than $10,000 in savings, while other...more