Social Security is a government-run program in the United States that provides a source of income for retirees, as well as for people who are disabled or the survivors of deceased workers. The program is funded through payroll taxes, and it is designed to provide a basic level of financial security for those who are no longer able to work.
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? SHOW NOTES In this episode, we focus on empowering you to navigate retirement with confidence. We break down the process of reading a Social Security statement, examining each section and its signif...
4% rule (and other "safe withdrawal" strategies) seem to assume you retire and start drawing SS at the same time. Guardrails appears to have the same assumption. On the other hand, many people recomme...
Learn how Social Security survivor benefits work, eligibility rules, and key steps to maximize support after a spouse’s passing....
Test your basic knowledge of the Social Security program in our quick quiz....
Congress could look to high earners to help offset lost revenue and possibly shore up the Social Security program....
The hidden complexities of Social Security could cost retirees tens of thousands over a lifetime. While it may seem like a simple income source, the right strategy can dramatically improve your financ...
We ask financial experts for advice....
Planning to retire shortly...no debt, nice emergency fund, very small pension, SS and my 401k, IRAs. We are savers, not spenders so not wortied about living beyond a reasonable amount each month. Wher...
The longer you wait, the bigger your Social Security check. We break it down by the most common ages when people claim their benefits....
When should you claim Social Security? For high-net-worth retirees, this is not a simple decision. In this episode, we explain why Social Security is not just a monthly check but a strategic part of a...
AARP-Washington State Members speak about their reliance on Social Security...
The clock is ticking on a massive cut in Social Security benefits for retirees....
I was in the work force for 44 years and retired the end of April at 62 y.o. when applying for SS, I initially filled out my estimated wage income as $36K. I actually made closer to $60K. I forgot abo...
From aggressive tax strategies to early retirement, well-intentioned decisions can unintentionally reduce Social Security benefits. Advisors highlight four major pitfalls that can impact clients' reti...
If your Social Security benefits should drop, a pension could provide a financial buffer....
Social Security's combined retirement funds are running out of cash, and its insolvency date is expected to occur in less than a decade....
The whistleblower accused the DOGE officials of copying over 300 million Social Security numbers....
Social Security benefit payments might land you in hot water when filing 2025 taxes — here are three reasons why....
Staff cuts and redeployments may translate into long wait times. Can tech help?...
There isn't a wrong age to start claiming Social Security, but there are factors that everyone should consider to avoid leaving money on the table....
What's the highest Social Security benefit? Will you qualify? Get easy answers for a wealthier retirement. The post How to Qualify for the Highest Social Security Benefit Possible appeared first on Bo...
Social Security was signed into law 90 years ago this month by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Over the years, we’ve come to think of this critical program as just one component of retirement i...
Retired women find themselves leaning on Social Security as a primary source of income at greater rates than men, according to new research from the Transamerica Institute. Financial advisors say that...
FROM THE ARTICLE. Q&A: How AARP Is Working to Fix America’s Retirement Crisis. In a candid conversation, two of AARP’s leading lobbyists stress the importance of Social Security but wa...
Could the Social Security 90th anniversary be a good time to revisit outdated tax thresholds?...
Big changes are coming to Social Security in the year ahead, impacting everything from the size of your benefit check to your full retirement age. Here's what you need to know....
I started an online application, for SS Retirement Benefits and now the Protective Filing Date, set to 6 months from the start of the application is approaching, but I cannot choice a benefit start da...
Taxes on benefits haven't been eliminated, and based on current projections, the program isn't going bankrupt. Understanding the truth about Social Security and knowing what you can control can help y...
FROM THE ARTICLE. Social Security Goes Up in Lights as AARP Takes Over Times Square. To celebrate the program’s 90th anniversary, AARP rolled through New York City with a clear message for U.S. ...
Longer life expectancies and changing demographics put extra pressure on the program, making it crucial for future retirees to understand its evolution, common myths and how to strategically plan for ...
As we celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of Social Security on its 90th birthday, it’s also important to find a bipartisan funding solution....
Social Security has become a cornerstone of the American retirement system and works to keep over 16 million retirees above the poverty line. Here are five key facts about the program as it turns 90....
This post is a follow-up to our post of June 18, 2025 in which we addressed the magnitude of Social Security’s long-term funding hole based on results of the 2025 Trustees Report and their &ldqu...
Before you collect Social Security benefits, make sure you don't believe any of these falsehoods....
FROM THE ARTICLE. Unraveling the Rush: Why Americans Are Claiming Social Security Early. By Bryan Miller, AARP Research. Published August 13, 2025. The Urban Institute’s recent analysis of Socia...
Thinking about retiring early and worried it might hurt your Social Security benefits? Good news: it probably won’t. A common myth is that you have to work into your 60s to get the most out of S...
The 2025 budget law will accelerate Social Security insolvency to 2032. The program will go insolvent during the term of the president who succeeds Donald Trump....
FROM THE ARTICLE. Social Security COLA 2026: How Much Will Payments Increase Next Year? With a key inflation number of 2.5%, analysts predict a modest bump in benefits By Deirdre Shesgreen, AARP. *** ...
For Americans in lower- and middle-income tax brackets, the enhanced deduction for older people reduces taxable income, shielding most of their Social Security benefits from being taxed....
Yes, people have lots to be concerned about from the stock market to Social Security. But experts say if you have a plan, there’s no need to panic....
I am currently 72.My FRA was 66. I'm receiving SS benefits. I retired at 67 and 5 months. My wife is currently 61. She is a legal permanent resident and has never worked in the US. She is not disabled...
Economists say new tariffs will nudge inflation higher, and it could mean Social Security checks in 2026 will have lower buying power for over 52 million of Americans...
Claiming Social Security is about more than filing paperwork and expecting a check. When you do it and how you do it have huge financial implications that last the rest of your life....
My rough math indicates that the pay-back period for suspending social security retirement annunity payments at age 67 and restarting them at age 70 is about 12 years (or age 82). I did not include th...
I retired mid-year, 2024 (June 1). Because I had 5 months of working salary before SS, and I did start doing IRA withdrawals, and she is still working, it looks like there is a good chance we'll be hi...
FROM THE ARTICLE. 8 Numbers That Tell the Story of Social Security. How more than 69 million Americans came to rely on the program — and why it’s now in trouble. By Andy Markowitz, AARP. R...
Don’t overpay your taxes, find out how to maximize your Social Security with the country’s leading experts Ryan and Tyson Thacker. By:Spotlight Television The Retirement Brothers Tyson and...
I'm seeing posts all over the internet about people waiting 2 , 3, 4 months after applying for SS Retirement Benefits. I had also waited over three months, web site always said processing. I finally c...
Between new senior tax deductions and fast-approaching funding shortfalls, it has been a turbulent few months for Social Security....
WEP reduces Social Security benefits for some retirees. Learn what WEP is, who it affects, and how to limit the impact. The post WEP: What It Is, How It Reduces Social Security, and What You Can Do ap...