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Guest Column in The Street: Is Social Security Really Different for Women?

February 12, 2020 by Marcia Mantell

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I get asked this question frequently:  Is Social Security really different for women?  The answer is surprisingly complex.  It requires a fair amount of knowledge about how Social Security was developed, how social insurance works, and how benefits are calculated.  As you might imagine, not many people are all that interested.

So, I tend to go with a simple answer:  Yes.  Social Security is different for women, even though the math and calculations are the same.

The issue is one of input.  The data that many women have to enter doesn’t fit the framework.  Women have to figure out where they fit into a framework set up specifically for men.  It’s like wearing a man’s cut t-shirt rather than a women’s cut.  One accommodates curves, the other doesn’t.

A guest column in Retirement Daily

My column about how and why women’s Social Security is different appeared in The Street’s Retirement Daily in January.  It’s always exciting to see an article in print, and I wanted to share it with you.  Take a read here (if you are a subscriber) or open this PDF to read the article:  2020_0106_ Social Security Really Different for Women

Social Security is complicated.  Those who earned high salaries are disappointed when they only receive a relatively small payment.  People who claim early are surprised they don’t get a “bump up” at Full Retirement Age.  And, it’s common for women who stayed at home to raise their families to be quite surprised by the impact that decision has on their own benefit payment.  At the beginning, Social Security was designed to offer a modest safety net for workers who reached retirement and their wives.  That was in the 1930s.  Things have changed somewhat since then!

Take a few minutes to read the article.  Then, let me know what you think.

Filed Under: In the News Tagged With: Social Security

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Marcia's Retirement Kitchen

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If your kitchen is anything like mine, it’s the place everyone gathers to talk about their day, share special moments, and ask important questions. And to see what’s cooking.

For me, there is a strong connection between preparing meals and planning retirement. Both need certain ingredients, recipes to follow, and getting the timing just right.

My motto to live by: If you can make a lasagna, you can create a plan for retirement.

Look for an invitation to join me at my kitchen table where retirement is always on the menu.

More coming soon…

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Boomer Retirement Briefs Blog

Reinventing Retirement?

Boomer Retirement Briefs is where readers go for fun ideas and new ways of thinking about retirement.

As an author, speaker, and presenter, I meet so many interesting people at different stages of retirement. I am always fascinated with their innovative ideas and inspired approaches.

Flip through these blog posts and you’ll find:

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