Social Security
Found 257 Articles.
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Social Security and Your Spouse
Benefits for a spouse are among the least understood part of the Social Security program. Your earnings and your decision of when to begin benefits affect the benefits received by your spouse and even by an ex-spouse. Every married person eligible to receive Social Security benefits looks to two work records to determine the amount […]
What is the Best Age to Begin Taking Your Social Security
What is the best age to begin taking your Social Security benefits? The answer might be changing. We discussed this conundrum that faces those approaching retirement in both our past visits and in my book, The New Rules of Retirement. The general conclusion is that the vast majority of retirees who begin taking their benefits […]
Medicare Premium Hikes Coming
Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes face higher premiums in 2007 and thereafter. We have better estimates of those premiums now, and beneficiaries can factor these higher costs into their financial plans. The higher premiums, called surtaxes, are imposed on a sliding scale. They begin rising for single beneficiaries whose incomes exceed $80,000 and for married […]
The Newest Wrinkle in ID Theft
ID theft is a booming business, and not always for the crooks. Firms are responding to fears of ID theft with new services. A host of ways now exists to protect you from ID theft or limit the damages from theft. Not all these services are effective or worth the money. Don’t be stampeded into […]
Tax Cuts and Tax Increases
A new tax law passed Congress just before Memorial Day. It contains important tax breaks and tax increases for investors and others. We gave the highlights last month. In this month’s visit we will delve into more details of the newly-enacted law, known as Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2006. The major provision […]
The Overlooked Retirement Time Bomb
My file of articles about retiree medical expenses is filling rapidly with unpleasant headlines. One sample sums up the group: “How Safe Are Your Retiree Health Benefits?” Numerous surveys and my own experience lead to one conclusion: Most retirees and pre-retirees greatly underestimate how much medical expenses will be during retirement and are mistaken about […]
How to Prevent Identity Theft
Technology makes it easier to steal someone’s identity and money. But the focus on threats from technology is opening people up to serious losses by misdirecting attention. Despite its fast growth rate, high tech identity theft is not the most serious scam you face. The data are clear. Your greatest risk of either identity theft […]
What Longer Life Expectancy Means For Your Money
Americans are living longer. Financial professionals and government officials realized this some years ago and have been studying what that means. Many individuals, however, are not aware of the significant changes in longevity and what it means for their finances. Longer Life Expectancy means longer retirements. Men who are 65 today will live on average […]
