Category: Social Security

The Miserly Social Security Death Benefit

About a month ago, I wrote a column explaining what family members need to do when a loved one who was getting Social Security benefits dies. I primarily discussed what might need to be done about returning the last Social Security check (depending on the timing of the death). I also used that column to…


You’ll Probably Live Longer Than You Think

Women often don’t score as well as men in surveys of financial literacy. One area where we seem to do better is “longevity literacy,” or understanding how long we’re likely to live. Longevity literacy is essential to smart retirement planning. Overestimate your longevity, and you could retire too late or scrimp too much. Underestimate it…


My ‘Ivory Tower’ Is in the Basement of a Suburban Split-Level

I got an interesting email (actually, it was more like a rant) from a guy who was upset about an encounter he had with the Social Security Administration. It went on for a couple pages. I’m used to rants. After all, you just can’t please everyone all the time. But here is the part of…


What a Divorced Woman Needs to Know About Social Security

My wife and I are celebrating our 49th wedding anniversary this week. (Although at our age, “celebrating” means maybe an extra scoop of ice cream on our next trip to Dairy Queen!) I know we are fortunate to be reaching almost five decades of wedded bliss because I get a lot of questions from divorced…


All You Need to Know About Living Off Dividends

Preparing for retirement may take more time, money, and effort than you think. It is especially harder to transition this year as inflationary pressures intensify. Although it may benefit savers and lenders, its impact is less desirable than we think. It erodes the value of dollars and, in turn, hurts the purchasing power of consumers….


What You Need to Know About Social Security If a Loved One Dies

Gosh, I hate getting old! Even though my wife and I are relatively fit, when you’re in your late 70s, you can’t help thinking about the inevitable. We’re all going to die. And even though my wife is a few years older than me, I figure I’m eventually going to be the first to buy…


Social Security for Younger Retirees

Conventional wisdom has it that to get the most out of your Social Security, you should wait as long as possible to start your benefits. That’s good advice for some, but not for all. There are a variety of reasons why you might want to take your benefits at 62 (the earliest you can start…


LIVE 7 AM ET: NTD Good Morning (May 16): IRS Removes Whistleblower and Team From Hunter Biden Tax Fraud Investigation; Durham Report Analysis

The IRS throws up a road block at a whistleblower and his entire team investigating Hunter Biden for tax fraud. And the Justice Department allegedly played a role. Special Counsel John Durham releases his long awaited report on the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign.  Find out what it concluded, and how Lawmakers are reacting. Could your social security payments be…


NTD Good Morning (May 16): IRS Removes Whistleblower and Team From Hunter Biden Tax Fraud Investigation; Durham Report Analysis

The IRS throws up a road block at a whistleblower and his entire team investigating Hunter Biden for tax fraud. And the Justice Department allegedly played a role. Special Counsel John Durham releases his long awaited report on the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign.  Find out what it concluded, and how Lawmakers are reacting. Could your social security payments be…


Social Security Payment Increase Could Drop Significantly in 2024: Seniors Group

A nonpartisan seniors group warned that next year’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for recipients will likely be smaller in 2024 than in 2023, meaning retirees will lose purchasing power. In a news release, The Senior Citizens League said that the COLA for 2024 could be approximately 3.1 percent for 2024, or down more than 5 percentage…