Folks who already claim Social Security retirement benefits heard they would get more in their checks starting in January, 2019. Good news indeed! In fact, the Social Security COLA—cost of living adjustment—was quite large: 2.8%. That is the highest increase since 2011. But in real dollars that will be available for retirees to spend, well, some might consider the increase … [Read more...] about Social Security COLA for 2019: Sort of Like a Soft Drink
Social Security Solvency: It Better Be Here to Stay
You may recall last month's blog post, Social Security Solvency: It’s Here to Stay. In that post, I shared where you can get the numbers to see how the program is working and what the projections are for its longevity. This month, I wanted more analysis of Social Security solvency in a way to bring home how impactful, or not, changing Social Security would be on the … [Read more...] about Social Security Solvency: It Better Be Here to Stay
Social Security Solvency: It’s Here to Stay
There are some 45,000,000 retirees collecting Social Security retirement benefits today. More than half of these folks decided to claim their benefit before their Full Retirement Age or FRA. In fact, 52% of men pushed the “grab-and-go” button well before Full Retirement Age. And, nearly 59% of women did the same. Full Retirement age is the age considered officially … [Read more...] about Social Security Solvency: It’s Here to Stay
Early Retirement Offer: 10 Tasks to Tackle Before Saying “Yes”
If you receive an early retirement offer from your employer next week, are you prepared to make such a big financial and personal decision? Getting such an offer may be a good thing…or a whopping insult. The reality is that many employers are using early retirement offers as a way to ease us older folks out of higher paying jobs. However, many Baby Boomers and … [Read more...] about Early Retirement Offer: 10 Tasks to Tackle Before Saying “Yes”
Retirement and Estate Planning Talks With Dad: Best Father’s Day Gift Ever
By Guest Contributor: Susan Bumstead Chanley, Principal of Crystal Communications Group, a marketing communications consultancy. June has always been a special month for my family. It’s the month of my parents’ birthdays (they are deceased now) and, of course, Father’s Day. While I’m not known as the family baker, each year I made my dad red wine biscotti (aka … [Read more...] about Retirement and Estate Planning Talks With Dad: Best Father’s Day Gift Ever
