Devin Carroll, CFP®

In the current political climate, the United States is wrestling with the implications of the national debt and the uncertainty surrounding the debt ceiling. A centerpiece of this discussion is the potential impact on Social Security—a lifeline for millions of American seniors and disabled individuals. Within this narrative, political tactics have been employed to sway public opinion and push forward certain policy objectives. Figures like Senator Chuck Schumer and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have utilized the Washington Monument Ploy to emphasize the potential disruption to Social Security. However, a deeper dive into the legislative framework reveals that the threat to Social Security might not be as immediate or dire as it appears, thanks to the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996.

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Social Security benefits are a crucial financial resource for many retirees, disabled individuals, and surviving family members in the United States. The Social Security Administration administers these benefits and helps millions of Americans maintain their quality of life after retirement, during disability, or after losing a family member. This article will provide an overview of the Social Security payout schedule and insight into the process of receiving benefits.

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Social Security, established in 1935, has been a critical component of America’s social safety net, providing financial security for retirees, disabled individuals, and their families. As the program approaches its 100-year anniversary, concerns about whether social security is running out have become increasingly prominent in conversations. In the following paragraphs, we’ll discuss the current state of the Social Security program, explore factors affecting its solvency, and discuss potential solutions for ensuring its future.

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Social Security is a fundamental part of the American retirement landscape, providing vital financial support to millions of retirees, disabled individuals, and their families. However, the question of how much Social Security is taxable can be a complex one to answer. In this article, we will explore the factors determining the taxability of Social Security benefits and offer guidance on navigating this often confusing aspect of the U.S. tax system.

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For millions of Americans, Social Security is a critical component of their retirement planning, often serving as the backbone of their retirement savings strategy. Established in 1935 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, the Social Security program was designed to provide financial security to retired workers, disabled individuals, and their families. Over the years, it has become a vital lifeline for many who rely on its benefits to supplement their income during retirement. This article explores the reasons why Social Security plays such an important role in retirement savings and why it remains a vital safety net for retirees.

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Those nearing retirement age have a lot to look forward to – including qualifying for Medicare. If you’re retired before the age of 65, you know paying for an insurance plan out of pocket can be quite expensive, costing $1,000 or more per month. When you hit 65 and qualify for Medicare benefits, you can reduce your healthcare costs significantly. Even when you combine the standard premium for Part B – $164.90 in 2023 – with Part D and a supplemental policy, Medicare is a cheap form of health insurance for most people. 

However, there are certain situations where the Medicare Part B premium can increase that are important to understand in order to properly budget for healthcare in retirement. In many cases, you can appeal higher premiums and get surcharges removed. Read on to learn more about why the Medicare Part B Premium might be increased for you and what you can do to keep costs manageable. 

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Those who agree that the Social Security program is in need of comprehensive reform are divided on the best way to handle it – especially when it comes to the Social Security tax limit. Typically, camps are split along political lines, with those who lean left believing we should raise the tax limit (or not even have a cap) and those leaning right believing the cap is fine where it is, and that raising taxes on higher income earners is not a good solution. 

Regardless of your political affiliations, taking a fact-based approach to understanding the Social Security tax limit and its implications is the best way to determine the most effective reform.

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For several decades, the most popular choice for retirees was claiming Social Security at 62. But in the past several years, data has shown that it has become a less common age to file. There are several reasons for this and they may leave you wondering when the best time is for you to start receiving your benefits. 

Read on to learn more about the history of claiming Social Security at 62 and whether or not you should consider filing at that age. 

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Collecting Social Security upon your retirement comes with several rules and restrictions you should be aware of if you want to make the most of your benefit, and those change depending on the age at which you retire. 

One of the most important things to know is the earnings limit, or the maximum amount you can earn to receive your full Social Security benefit if you withdraw before your full retirement age. After you pass the income limit, benefits are reduced according to the amount you make. 

But things are a bit different in the first year of retirement, hence the policy known as the Social Security first year of retirement rule. Essentially, this rule is meant to modify the earnings limit to account for those who retire mid-year, but who have already surpassed the annual earnings limit.

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In the past, a $3,000 Social Security benefit might have seemed unattainable – even for high income earners. This equates to $36,000 of Social Security in a year, or more than the maximum benefit for those who filed at 66 until 2020. 

But recent increases from inflation have changed the game, and now, $3,000 per month from Social Security isn’t out of the question. Here are some things to know to maximize your benefit and understand the tricky progressive nature of the Social Security formula. 

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