Social Security
Changes to Social Security Spousal Benefit Rules
An important discussion I have with my clients is the merits of possibly delaying Social Security benefits until age 70. Under optimal conditions …
RetirementTrump Budget: Who Loses Disability Benefits
President Trump's proposed budget includes billions of dollars in reductions to social service programs over the next decade, including one that has …
NPR4 simple ways to pay off your mortgage early
Imagine how wonderful it would feel to have no monthly house payment. What could you do with all that extra money every month?<p>The idea of paying off your mortgage in full can be pretty daunting.<p>After all, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars. Paying that much money off today would …
MortgagesDo You Have a Retirement Timeline?
You’ve been saving for years and you can see retirement down the road. What is your timeline? How does all this fit together?<p>Beyond the numbers, we …
RetirementHow Much Is My Bond Worth?
A bond's current market value depends on its own interest rate, or coupon rate, along with its face value and the current market interest rate. There is a mathematical formula to calculate how much your bond is worth, but simply put, rising interest rates cause bond values to drop while falling …
FinanceThe government's own rules are blocking people from getting off of disability | Commentary
The Social Security Disability Insurance program provides benefits to nearly 8.8 million who can no longer work due to illness or injury. This …
Disability InsuranceWhy Didn't I Get a Tax Refund?
For tens of millions of Americans, the reward for enduring the agony of preparing tax returns is the refund check they get from the IRS. Yet many people never get tax refunds, and even some who expect to get them don't always receive their money as quickly as they want. With many different reasons …
Personal FinanceThe Trump Budget: Real Cuts vs. the Media Version of "Cuts"
By: Ryan McMaken <br>One of the cardinal rules of government accounting and rhetoric is to call ant slowdown in the growth rate of government spending a …
Austrian EconomicsTrump’s budget completely misses the point
HERE’S THE fiscal predicament facing the United States: During recent decades, the elected leaders of both parties have committed the federal government to hundreds of billions of dollars in automatic annual spending for health care and Social Security, while simultaneously establishing a level of …
OpinionThe enormity of Trump’s scam is coming into view
<b>THE MORNING PLUM:</b><p>The Congressional Budget Office will release its score of the GOP health-care bill today, and whatever the details, it will confirm once again that the Republican plan would cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid, leaving many millions uncovered. This, plus continued …
OpinionAsk Larry: Do I Need To Do Anything To Earn Delayed Retirement Credits?
Social Security may be one of your largest assets. What and when you collect will make a huge difference to your lifetime benefits.<p>Today’s column explains how delayed retirement credits are earned, whether divorced spousal benefits increase after FRA, spousal benefit availability and filing …
RetirementAgent feared leak of Trump tax returns could affect election
Less than two weeks before Election Day, federal agents descended on a hotel lobby to meet a Louisiana private investigator they believed had …
Donald TrumpMick Mulvaney: Planned Budget Cuts Put 'Taxpayers First'
(WASHINGTON) — White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney told lawmakers on Wednesday that President Donald Trump's plans to slash social programs are …
Donald TrumpShould I Buy or Lease a Car?
There are several factors to consider when deciding to buy or lease a car, as both options have several benefits and downsides. For example, in addition to the monthly lease or loan payment, you need to consider how much you plan to drive, how often you'd like a new car, and if you plan to …
MoneyHow to Invest in ETFs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Exchange-traded funds have taken the investing world by storm. These low-cost funds typically have extremely attractive expense ratios, and they bring tax benefits compared to traditional mutual funds. In many cases, ETFs track indexes that result in minimal asset turnover and greater portfolio …
InvestingWhat options do seniors have for in-home care?
Caregiver and senior woman taking selfie portrait with smart phone. Photo by FredFroese/Getty Images<p><b>Editor’s Note:</b> Journalist Philip Moeller is here …
MedicareThe Trump team’s five major shams
Between the health-care plan it supported, its tax-reform outline and its budget, the Trump administration has demonstrated an unusual degree of intellectual dishonesty. Most administrations take liberties with economic projections and re-interpretations of campaign promises, but it is rare to see …
Opinion'Soup Nazi' Tax Evasion Case Holds Lessons For Every Business
Robert N. Bertrand, CFO of the Soupman, Inc. chain made famous with Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi character, has been indicted for tax crimes. The indictment alleges 20 counts of failure to pay Medicare, Social Security, and federal income taxes. Soupman, Inc. is based in Staten Island, and licenses the …
Fraud6 Ways to Increase Your 457 Contribution
Though Social Security will provide some income for eligible seniors, the majority of workers won't manage to live off those benefits alone. Rather, they'll need to save independently to ensure that they have enough income available in retirement. If your goal is to amass enough savings for a …
RetirementWill Republican Lies Catch Up to Them Before or After They Ruin People’s Lives?
The political durability of conservative economic doctrine owes a great deal to euphemisms. As the main exponents of that doctrine, Republicans seek …
Republican PartySome Older Parents Are Missing Out on This Social Security Perk
You can collect extra benefits if you are retired with minor children.<p>Older parents, take note: If you have kids who won't graduate from high school …
RetirementAppeals Court Hears Arguments For, Against Letting President Fire Consumer Protection Chief
For the second time in a year, judges of the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit have heard arguments about constitutionality of the structure of …
GovernmentAmerican Patriots, Get Your Share of…
American Patriots, Get Your Share of…<p>Trump’s $2.6 Trillion<p>“Cash for Patriots Program”<p>Everyday patriots are collecting checks of <b>up to $7,980</b>, thanks …
United StatesSen. Lindsey Graham warns of ‘Benghazis in the making’ if Trump budget passes
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s proposed FY 2018 federal budget would result in more “Benghazis.”<p>White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney largely led the effort to craft a federal budget that calls for a 31 percent decrease in …
Lindsey GrahamCBO: Trumpcare Would Strip Coverage From 23 Million, Make It Worse for the Rest
The cruel and destructive bill known as Trumpcare would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 23 million, according to the revised …
Health CareVA defends plan to cut thousands from elderly vets' benefits
WASHINGTON — Veterans Affairs officials on Wednesday defended plans to strip tens of thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits from elderly …
David ShulkinHillary Clinton Slams Trump's Proposed Budget: 'Unimaginable Level of Cruelty'
Hillary Clinton on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump's budget blueprint for "an unimaginable level of cruelty."<p>The proposed budget, released …
PoliticsThis Mistake Could Cost You Thousands in Social Security Income
A quick review of your earnings record could be just the thing to save your benefits.<p>How much thought do you put into your Social Security benefits? …
RetirementTrump's Cuts to SNAP and Social Security Would Hit the Rust Belt Hard
The president’s full budget includes reductions in income-support programs that core Republican voters rely on—more so than other groups do.<p>In the key Rustbelt states that tipped the 2016 election to President Trump, blue-collar white voters at the core of his constituency represent a majority of …
Rust BeltI voted for Trump. Now he wants to cut the aid I need
Krista Shockey voted for President Trump in November. Now she's one of the people who might get hurt under his plan to cut safety net programs for the poor and disabled.<p>Shockey is on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program to help low-income Americans who are disabled. The monthly payment is …
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