This year marked a rather significant increase in benefits for those receiving Social Security. The 2018 COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) was one of the largest in the past decade, giving retirement beneficiaries an extra 2% on their checks (the most significant jump since 2012.) Unfortunately, there are forces at work that can easily chip…
Steven C. Johnson, ChFC®
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Steve is a Chartered Financial Consultant, designee (ChFC) and a veteran of the investment and financial planning industries who began his career in 1989 with a large national financial services firm as a Financial Advisor and Investment Management professional. In 2001, Steve joined Finivi and has served on their executive and investment committees since that time.
For over 27 years, he has been guiding individuals and families in helping achieve the retirement lifestyles they desire, through comprehensive retirement income planning, a keen understanding of the myriad of Social Security claiming strategies available to help maximize one's benefits, and by suitably aligning their retirement investment portfolios with their income and lifestyle goals.
Steve also serves as the Director of the firm's Financial Education and Corporate Financial Wellness Programs that deliver financial education workshops and webinars to individuals, public and private corporations, colleges and universities, and social and fraternal organizations throughout the country.
Steve's ability to take complex financial and investing topics and break them down into easy to understand and actionable ideas for both clients and workshop participants have made him a sought-after advisor and speaker on the topics of social security, retirement planning, and investment management.
Steve is also active in the industry having served as the Past President of the Worcester, MA Chapter of The Society of Financial Services Professionals (SFSP) and is an active member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).
Steve and his wife Robin have three children and live in the beautiful Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts.
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Recent Articles by Steven:
Do You Need to Pay Taxes on Your Social Security Benefits?
Tax season always brings about a bit of panic, as those who are getting Social Security benefits may be filing their first return since they started receiving payments. These payments, while a welcome addition to their financial support system, can feel uncertain (or even a bit burdensome) as the issue of tax liability comes to…
How Your Government Pension May Impact Your Social Security Benefits
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…
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…
