Retirees who are entitled to a government pension can have an unpleasant surprise waiting for them when they apply for their Social Security benefits. Two different Social Security provisions for retired government workers—the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision—can reduce the amount of your Social Security benefit checks. If you are eligible for…
Retirement Planning Articles
5 Options to Explore If You Don’t Have Enough to Retire
Approaching retirement should be an exciting time for you. This is it: the goal you’ve been working towards since you took your first job is finally on the horizon. But what if you don’t have enough to retire? In that case, any feelings of excitement or happiness can quickly turn into fear, even panic. You…
Could You Qualify for Retroactive Lump Sum Social Security Retirement Benefits?
For retirees who wait until after their full retirement age before filing for benefits, a little-known Social Security claiming strategy can potentially offer them a lump sum of up to six-months’ worth of retroactive benefits—which can be a boon for any retiree who might need a sudden injection of cash. Here’s what you need to…
10 Social Security Secrets You Need to Know for 2018
With so many changes happening to the tax code and how retirement benefits are treated, it can be easy to lose sight of the latest happening with Social Security. What new rules have been implemented? Are there important loopholes that might affect you? While the full impact of the new regulations remains to be seen,…
Why the Government May End Social Security Numbers (and How to Protect Yours)
How much do you think about the security of your Social Security number? All of your life, you’ve been told to keep it secret and safe. However, it’s often requested during life’s everyday moments, such as when you visit the doctor, open a bank account, or start a new job. Data Safety Is in Question…
Here’s How the Social Security’s Representative Payee Program Can Help Your Loved Ones
It’s common to associate Social Security benefits with our comfort and peace of mind in retirement, but there’s another little-known aspect to the program. The Social Security Representative Payee program is a useful tool for anyone who cares for a loved one who are unable to manage their own retirement, spousal, child, parent, or disability…
The Importance of Considering Survivor Benefits for Your Spouse
Coordinating benefits with a spouse is a common talking point in discussing how and when to apply for Social Security benefits. These spousal coordination discussions often revolve around maximizing your retirement benefits as soon as possible, which is a common and reasonable concern. But this view ignores an important detail: one spouse will likely outlive…
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