Social Security Articles
Social Security: A Closer Look at the 2025 Adjustments
November 2024 by Charles Rotblut
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for tax-year 2025.
November 2024 by Charles Rotblut
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for tax-year 2025.
3 Ways to Redo Your Social Security Claim
July 2024 by William Reichenstein
Certain circumstances may allow you to improve your retirement prospects by changing a prior Social Security claiming decision.
July 2024 by William Reichenstein
Certain circumstances may allow you to improve your retirement prospects by changing a prior Social Security claiming decision.
Psychological Factors Strongly Influence the Timing of Social Security Benefits
June 2024 by Eunice Kim
Feelings of ownership and loss aversion drive many to claim their Social Security benefits early, despite the economic benefits of delaying claims to maximize payouts.
June 2024 by Eunice Kim
Feelings of ownership and loss aversion drive many to claim their Social Security benefits early, despite the economic benefits of delaying claims to maximize payouts.
How to Protect Yourself From Social Security Clawbacks
April 2024 by Charles Rotblut, Terry Savage, Cynthia McLaughlin
The Social Security Administration is demanding repayment of benefits it erroneously overpaid over the years, with little recourse available to recipients.
April 2024 by Charles Rotblut, Terry Savage, Cynthia McLaughlin
The Social Security Administration is demanding repayment of benefits it erroneously overpaid over the years, with little recourse available to recipients.
A Case Study: How to Reduce Marginal Tax Rates in Retirement
November 2023 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
Combining an optimal Social Security claiming strategy with a multiphase withdrawal strategy that exploits the rising and falling pattern of marginal tax rates can add substantial value to a retirement portfolio.
November 2023 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
Combining an optimal Social Security claiming strategy with a multiphase withdrawal strategy that exploits the rising and falling pattern of marginal tax rates can add substantial value to a retirement portfolio.
Third-Highest Social Security COLA Since the Global Financial Crisis
November 2023 by Charles Rotblut
Last month, the Social Security Administration announced a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The increase will take effect in January 2024.
November 2023 by Charles Rotblut
Last month, the Social Security Administration announced a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The increase will take effect in January 2024.
The Importance of Considering Marginal Taxes When Taking Withdrawals
September 2023 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
Your withdrawal strategy should be optimized to take into account potential spikes in marginal tax rates caused by factors like taxation of Social Security benefits and income-based Medicare premiums.
September 2023 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
Your withdrawal strategy should be optimized to take into account potential spikes in marginal tax rates caused by factors like taxation of Social Security benefits and income-based Medicare premiums.
A Primer on Social Security
October 2020 by Robert Muksian
Understanding the key concepts involved in calculating Social Security benefits can aid in your retirement planning.
October 2020 by Robert Muksian
Understanding the key concepts involved in calculating Social Security benefits can aid in your retirement planning.
The Relationship Between Wealth and Delaying Social Security Benefits
June 2020 by William Reichenstein
Taxpayers with moderate levels of wealth can often lower the taxable portion of their Social Security benefits by delaying the start of these benefits.
June 2020 by William Reichenstein
Taxpayers with moderate levels of wealth can often lower the taxable portion of their Social Security benefits by delaying the start of these benefits.
Using Portfolio Returns to Determine When to Claim Social Security Benefits
August 2019 by Brian L. Betker
Upon reaching full retirement age, a retiree can look back at the performance of their nest egg portfolio to determine whether to claim immediately or wait until credits for delayed claiming stop.
August 2019 by Brian L. Betker
Upon reaching full retirement age, a retiree can look back at the performance of their nest egg portfolio to determine whether to claim immediately or wait until credits for delayed claiming stop.
Social Security and Medicare Can Raise Retirees' Tax Rates
April 2018 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
Higher levels of income not only affect the taxation of Social Security benefits, but can also lead to higher Medicare premiums.
April 2018 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
Higher levels of income not only affect the taxation of Social Security benefits, but can also lead to higher Medicare premiums.
When You Haven't Saved Enough for Retirement
May 2017 by Charles Rotblut
Saving more, working longer, delaying the claiming of Social Security benefits and tapping home equity can all help fund retirement.
May 2017 by Charles Rotblut
Saving more, working longer, delaying the claiming of Social Security benefits and tapping home equity can all help fund retirement.
The Changes to Social Security Claiming Strategies
January 2016 by Charles Rotblut
Couples will no longer be able to use file and suspend and restricted applications, increasing the importance of considering each spouse’s longevity.
January 2016 by Charles Rotblut
Couples will no longer be able to use file and suspend and restricted applications, increasing the importance of considering each spouse’s longevity.
Social Security: Delay Benefits at the Expense of Personal Savings?
December 2014 by Marty Allenbaugh
By strategically choosing when and how to claim Social Security benefits, singles, divorced individuals and married couples can optimize their retirement income.
December 2014 by Marty Allenbaugh
By strategically choosing when and how to claim Social Security benefits, singles, divorced individuals and married couples can optimize their retirement income.
Social Security Strategies for Couples
December 2013 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
By understanding the complexities and making smart claiming decisions, couples can add more to their lifetime benefits than singles can.
December 2013 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
By understanding the complexities and making smart claiming decisions, couples can add more to their lifetime benefits than singles can.
Social Security Strategies for Singles
November 2013 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
The optimal age for a single individual claiming benefits depends on life expectancy and the need to extend a retirement portfolio’s longevity.
November 2013 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
The optimal age for a single individual claiming benefits depends on life expectancy and the need to extend a retirement portfolio’s longevity.
Social Security Basics
October 2013 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
In this first article of a new three-part series, the impact of a worker’s retirement age on Social Security benefits is explained.
October 2013 by William Reichenstein, William Meyer
In this first article of a new three-part series, the impact of a worker’s retirement age on Social Security benefits is explained.
Social Security: Delay or Take the Money and Run—Act II
May 2011 by Robert Muksian
For most retirees, it makes economic sense to delay taking Social Security benefits until age 66.
May 2011 by Robert Muksian
For most retirees, it makes economic sense to delay taking Social Security benefits until age 66.
How to Value a Stream of Payments
July 2008 by AAII Staff
Are you overlooking a large pool of assets? That may occur when it is hard to put a number on an asset--for example, valuing a guaranteed steady payment stream, such as pension plan and Social Security payments, for retirees. Ignoring those assets may cause you to be too over-invested in fixed income.
July 2008 by AAII Staff
Are you overlooking a large pool of assets? That may occur when it is hard to put a number on an asset--for example, valuing a guaranteed steady payment stream, such as pension plan and Social Security payments, for retirees. Ignoring those assets may cause you to be too over-invested in fixed income.