1-minute video: How Can You Take Care of Your Spouse Just in Case Something Should Happen to You? Still working? About to retire? Retired? How might you replace lost income for the survivor? Money needed – a lump sum – may come from savings/investments set aside, life insurance, a standby reverse mortgage line of credit, or […]
Archive | Social Security
1-minute video: How To Maximize Social Security SURVIVOR Benefits
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). The video mentions Full Retirement Age as a reference to claiming Social Security benefits early, or late. Full Retirement Age depends on your birth year and is explained here. Here are other short articles […]
How Social Security Benefits Keep Up with Inflation for Those Working or Retired
With inflation dominating the news, people may be developing more than a passing interest in how the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is figured for inflation’s effects on the loss of purchasing power of each dollar. Whether it’s a matter of simple curiosity or an effort to maximize benefits through strategic claiming, people should know […]
Social Security Earnings Test While Working: How is the Benefit Recomputed at Full Retirement Age (FRA)?
If a person is under Full Retirement Age (FRA) and works while also receiving Social Security, their Social Security benefit will be subject to the earnings test: $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 earned over the annual threshold (earnings test link shows that threshold amount for the present year). An example for […]
1-minute video: 3 Ways to Boost Your Social Security Benefits
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). Most people are unaware of how Social Security benefits are determined. These three (3) elements are within your control to a certain degree. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by ignoring something simple that […]
1-minute video: How Can Social Security and Retirement Planning Work Together for Your Benefit?
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). Social Security is often dismissed or minimized by many when it comes to retirement planning. This is a mistake since Social Security forms a firm foundation that you can’t outlive. People don’t recognize the […]
Working and Social Security Benefits
https://stocksnap.io/author/directmedia Working and Social Security Benefits Most people are not aware of the Social Security earnings test, or income limits, if they claim benefits while still working prior to reaching their Full Retirement Age (FRA) [FRA is THE MONTH & YEAR you are eligible for 100% benefits. Before FRA, benefits are reduced. After FRA, benefits […]
HSAs, Medicare, and Social Security
Who doesn’t love their HSA? Contributions are made with nontaxed money, investments build up free from current income tax, and distributions are tax free if spent on qualified medical expenses. As a savings vehicle they can’t be beat. In fact, savvy investors use these accounts primarily as a savings vehicle rather than the purpose for […]
Grandparents and Social Security
The question comes up more often than you might think: People are caring for a grandchild and want to know if they can get Social Security benefits for the child. This is a very different question when it comes from grandparents rather than parents. Parents who have young children can, upon applying for their own […]
Q&A Spouse’s Social Security & Medicare
People hear or read about claiming strategies involving spousal benefits, and they want to make sure they are not missing out on these benefits. Here are some of the questions people often have about spousal benefits. Q: Can I claim my spousal benefit when my spouse turns Full Retirement Age (FRA)? A: You can claim your spousal […]