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.
Showing 50 results of 1282
Every year we use the 1040A "Social Security Benefits Worksheet--Lines 6a and 6b" to compute how much of our Social Security benefit is taxable. In step 10 a "standard deduction" is subtracted - $12,0...
You aren't necessarily stuck with a bad claiming strategy...
Social Security is ready for you to start drawing retirement benefits anytime between the ages 62 and 70. But did you know that the age you start Social has a lasting effect on the size of your checks...
We hear people say all the time they are not counting on Social Security to be here when they retire. Will Social Security run out of money? Inquiring minds want to know! In this episode of Eggstack C...
You may have dreamed of a tax-free retirement, but if you live in one of the states that tax social security, your benefits could take a hit....
Many widows and widowers get short-changed on their monthly Social Security checks because they don't know the rules. Here's how to maximize what you can get....
Retiring early means lower average earnings for calculating Social Security benefits. However, once you reach the second bend point, you aren't losing much. I show you how to see when you will reach t...
I compared two free calculators for the optimal Social Security claiming strategy with hypothetical test cases. They both do a good job....
Quick overview, I am 72, and my wife is 65 in poor health. Done well in the stock market, but I am at a point where I want to get more conservative. We collect $3800 in social security. I won't leave ...
The first five years of retirement can shape the next 20. Learn how market declines, taxes, Social Security and spending can affect your retirement plan.
Digest version: I want to acknowledge and celebrate my sister's retirement in a way that mine was not, but she's not welcoming any such gestures. Plainly people experience this event differently. I re...
In her recently released book The Forever Paycheck, Jean Chatzky—CEO and founder of HerMoney—encourages retirees to fund essential retirement spending with Social Security and non‑risky investments, a...
Being named a financial power of attorney (FPOA) is an honor, but it can also be a heavy lift. Know your fiduciary duties and why standard POAs don't cover Social Security or Medicare.
Barring long term care needs like a nursing home, which are over the top expensive, my wife and I should be able to live well off of SS and the 4-5% we make on our portfolio. The question is what to d...
Here’s every retirement milestone mapped to the exact birthday: catch-up contributions, the Rule of 55, Medicare, Social Security, and RMDs. The post Retirement Milestones by Age: 50 to 75 appeared fi...
A retirement plan is more than an investment portfolio and a decision about when to claim Social Security. Jeremy Keil is joined by financial advisor Joe Schmitz Jr. to compare the planning processes ...
Considering retiring next year. After bills we're looking at roughly $900 to $1,000 "extra" cash each month. VA, SS, 401k distribution and pensions are the income streams. Bill include setting aside f...
I'm 63 and started collecting Social Security this year. I had a heart attack last year that did some permanent damage. I still work 2 days a week in HVAC. And pretty much light duty. I have a IRA wit...
I’m retired a few years earlier than I meant to do, and have been living on my IRA for the past year, and will also live on it for the coming year, until I’m able to start claiming SS as well. I don’t...
Social Security figures and 2026 withdrawal rate research show what three common retirement portfolios can generate in monthly income. The post What $250,000, $500,000, and $750,000 Pay You in Retirem...
Your newborn has a Social Security number and a pediatrician. Now, not ones to be left behind, they also have ... Read more
This week, Advisor Perspectives published my article entitled, “Social Security’s Short‑Term Crisis: What Advisor’s Must Prepare For.” The primary purpose of this article was to focus on possible solu...
Conventional wisdom says you need a massive portfolio, but between Social Security and smart planning, a modest fund is often more than enough
I need to run some different scenarios, as I’ve recently learned about the potential benefits of waiting to collect social security, using various other income streams in the meantime and all the vari...
My wife started taking early Social Security benefits at age 62. She has a part time job. We know there is a 2026 income limitation of $2,040 per month. If her income exceeds that amount in a given mo...
Income from multiple sources such as pretax accounts and Social Security can result in a tax bill that might surprise you … and not in a good way.
I’ve got $ in mostly traditional IRAs I’m 63 looking to start SS at 65. I want to use interest to supplement my monthly income at retirement. What is the best place to do that? It would need to be an ...
We are still working - planning to retire very early next year. I'm at FRA; my husband will be in a couple of months. We are not yet taking SS or Medicare. With our income, we will certainly hit the I...
Social Security's trustees estimate the trust fund will run out of money earlier than they estimated last year. But the new projection still could be optimistic.
David Conti has spent decades writing about retirement, Social Security, Medicare, and personal finance. After helping others prepare for retirement throughout his career—including his time at Fidelit...
Erin Moriarity shares her take on Social Security timing, building a retirement income floor, and when to stop going DIY and hire a CFP. The post Erin Talks Money: What She Wants Retirees to Know appe...
I recently met with a 71-year-old retiree who relies on Social Security for a sizable share of her retirement spending. She’s concerned about recent news that the Social Security retirement trust fund...
From sticky inflation to Social Security deadlines, a look back at the 50-year evolution of our personal economies as we celebrate the Semiquincentennial.
Hello, I am recently retired. I am not collecting SS yet. I am living off of my wife's small income and a severance I received from work. I have a very healthy 401k balance a few small pensions so we ...
Most people spend decades preparing financially for retirement. They contribute to retirement accounts, pay down debt, evaluate Social Security strategies, and work with advisors to make sure their sa...
How much do you know about the impact on Social Security, taxes and healthcare when you work past retirement age or decide to "unretire"?
My spouse retired earlier this year primarily due to health concerns. He’s taking his SS early at 64 and will be eligible for a small pension at the end of this year. I’m still working a job that does...
The 2026 OASDI Trustees Report was released today. Last month, we estimated that Social Security’s long‑range actuarial balance as of January 1, 2026 would be –4.14% of the present value of taxable pa...
Back story: - 2015 Spouse retired at 65 and receives SS. - 2021 I retired at 64.6 and receive a monthly pension and SS. - Prior to retirement, we were able to save ~300K in cash. ~400K in 401. In 2014...
Age 58, plan to retire at 63. Between retirement and when our pension and Social Security kick in (ages 68 and 70 respectively), I'll have a 5-7 year window where my portfolio needs to cover a signifi...
Retirement anxiety is rising in 2026 as Americans worry about inflation, healthcare costs, Social Security uncertainty, market volatility, and running out of money. Studies show many workers feel behi...
Lucky Lou is 48, burned out and wants to punch at 50. How should he bridge the gap before pensions and Social Security? Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA walk through the Rule of 55, 72(t)s,...
I've know that RMDs can create a bigger tax burden when they start. We have a traditional IRA. I (67) am already taking SS, my husband (69) will be taking it a year from now, and since we'd consider i...
Ready to call it quits? From timing Social Security to planning, here are 8 pieces of Dave Ramsey advice for a secure retirement.
You may think you'll pay less in taxes once you retire, but taxable withdrawals and Social Security can keep your tax bill as high as it was during your career.
In spite of two divorces, two bankruptcies, and one short sale, I have been able to somehow amass about $500,000. I am going to retire at the end of this year at 66. I already started taking SS, and h...
Trump’s proposed retirement accounts add to Social Security rather than divert payroll taxes. This piece explains the additive design and why it matters.
Hi, all. Planning for retirement next year. Looks like my social security and pension (both inflation-adjusted, a bit less for the pension) will cover my basic budget without the need to tap the 401k,...
Trump accounts are additions to Social Security, not privatization. Unions have always demanded a hybrid retirement system. The RSAA creates the universal hybrid.
We're 73, with $2.1 million and $4k a month in Social Security. My husband says we can't afford to help our grandson. Who's right?