Articles, guides, and reviews about Social Security Benefits.
Social Security Spousal Benefits: Age Gap & Filing Rules If your spouse is significantly older than you and earned less throughout her career, coordinating Social Security spousal benefits can be tricky. A common question for age-gap couples is whether the primary earner must retire for the lower-earning spouse to collect spousal benefits. The short answer…
1. Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) How It Works Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. You’ll need to provide your ex-spouse’s name, Social Security number (if available), and your marriage/divorce details. Why It’s Unique Speaking directly with an SSA representative ensures you get accurate information and personalized benefit…
3 Ways to Find Out Your Ex-Spouse’s Social Security Benefits Read More »
How to Make Sure You Have Enough Money and Avoid Common Pitfalls Retiring at 61 can be appealing, but it comes with financial challenges. You’ll need to cover expenses for at least 25-30 years, manage healthcare costs before Medicare, and ensure you don’t run out of money. Here’s what you need to consider before making…
7 Things You Must Consider Before Retiring at 61 Read More »
Why Taking Social Security Early Can Be a Smart Move Deciding when to claim Social Security is one of the most important retirement choices you’ll make. While delaying benefits increases your monthly payout, claiming early can be the right move in many situations. Whether you need income now, have health concerns, or want to preserve…
What Really Happens to Social Security If You Retire at 62 Retiring at 62 does not mean you have to claim Social Security at 62. You can stop working and delay Social Security until full retirement age or even age 70. Separating those two decisions matters because stopping work does not automatically reduce your Social…
What Happens to Social Security Benefits If You Retire at 62? Read More »
Why Your Mother Didn’t Receive Social Security After Your Father’s Death—And How to Fix It 1. She May Need to Apply for Survivor Benefits Some Social Security benefit changes may happen automatically after a spouse dies, but many survivor benefit claims require the surviving spouse to take action. If your mother did not begin receiving…
1. Consider a Fixed Index Annuity for Guaranteed Income A fixed index annuity (FIA) provides lifetime income that grows based on market performance while protecting against losses. Many FIAs include a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB), which can increase your income over time to help offset Social Security COLA decreases. This ensures your purchasing power…
7 Ways to Protect Your Retirement If Social Security COLA Drops in 2026 Read More »
How Retirees, Workers, and the Economy Would Be Affected If Social Security benefits were no longer taxed, retirees would see a financial boost, but the change would have far-reaching effects on government revenue and future generations. This guide outlines who would benefit, who might face challenges, and how to prepare for the potential impact. 1.…
7 Major Changes If Social Security Benefits Become Tax-Free Read More »
How Waiting Can Maximize Your Retirement Income for Life If you’re 67 and planning to work five more years, you may have been advised to claim Social Security now. While it might seem like a good idea, waiting until age 70 can significantly increase your lifetime retirement income. Below, we break down why delaying your…
5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Claim Social Security at 67 if You Plan to Work 5 More Years Read More »
A first-time-friendly plan you can actually implement If Social Security is reduced, your job is simple: quantify the monthly gap and plug it with guarantees first, then layer flexible growth. Below is a practical, money-saving menu of solutions we help clients compare and buy. For each option, you’ll see how it works, why it’s unique,…
Compare Strategies To Protect Your Retirement If Social Security Gets Cut Read More »
7 Ways to Find Out If Social Security Owes You Money Millions of Americans inadvertently receive less from the Social Security Administration (SSA) than they are legally entitled to collect. Misreported earnings records, unclaimed survivor benefits, administrative miscalculations, and overpaid Medicare premiums leave substantial funds sitting uncollected in government accounts. Below are seven actionable steps…
7 Ways to Find Out If Social Security Owes You Money Read More »
How to Secure Your Retirement as Social Security Faces Challenges Many Americans worry that Social Security will not last through retirement. While the program won’t completely disappear, the Social Security trust fund may run out by 2034, leading to potential benefit cuts. Rather than relying solely on Social Security, here are seven ways to protect…
7 Ways to Ensure Social Security Doesn’t Run Out for You Read More »