Understanding the Social Security Claim and Suspend Strategy
December 20, 2009 by MJP
Filed under Social Security
Personal finance writers and married baby boomers have been talking and thinking a lot about different ways to maximize total Social Security benefits for the married couple. One of the most frequently discussed approaches is the “claim and suspend” strategy. There is a lot of confusion about how this works. Read more
Common Mistakes in Using Retirement Planning Tools
November 5, 2009 by MJP
Filed under Planning Tools
Online retirement planning tools are all over the Internet. Many baby boomers use these tools to help them get back on track or to assess where they are in being prepared for retirement. I have discussed a number of those online tools here at Go To Retirement. Some are free and some are fee-based. Read more
Retirement Planning and Social Security Countdown
October 1, 2009 by MJP
Filed under Retirement Planning
I received my annual Social Security Statement last month. I have written in the past about how I review my Social Security Statement. Each year this task takes on more significance because now I am only three years from being eligible for retirement benefits, if I were to choose to claim them at age 62. That is not part of my plan because of the permanent loss in benefits that I would experience. But there were a few things that were extra special associated with this year’s review. Read more
Test Your Basic Social Security Knowledge
September 17, 2009 by MJP
Filed under Social Security
Baby boomers are anxious and confused about how Social Security will best fit into their retirement income plans. Millions of words about Social Security have been published online and in print in recent years, all intended to educate us. Yet a knowledge gap remains. Read more
How to Maximize Social Security Benefits
July 30, 2009 by MJP
Filed under Social Security
Here are some tips for maximizing Social Security retirement benefits. Most of these strategies will be applicable to baby boomers contemplating and planning for a sustainable retirement income. Read more
Understanding Taxes on Retirement Job Income
March 16, 2009 by MJP
Filed under Careers/Jobs, Taxes
The government does a good job of making our tax system incomprehensible to the average citizen.
Things are even harder to figure out for people who are retired, receiving Social Security, and working full or part-time. Most retirees don’t have a clear understanding of how much they are taxed on job income they receive from post-retirement employment. Read more
Determining the Best Age to Start Social Security
February 15, 2009 by MJP
Filed under Social Security
Many baby boomers are in the home stretch toward retirement and thinking about what will be the best age for them to claim Social Security retirement benefits. I have already written about this issue from several different angles but I thought it would make sense to pull all of that together and summarize the factors that I will considering when the time comes. Read more
Delaying Social Security after Stopping Work
January 20, 2009 by MJP
Filed under Careers/Jobs, Social Security
Some baby boomers are asking the question of what happens to their Social Security retirement benefits if they stop working but do not claim benefits until later.
The answer to that question depends on how many working years you have in the system. Read more
How to Apply for Social Security Benefits Online
January 7, 2009 by MJP
Filed under Social Security
At last the Social Security Administration is allowing us to apply for Social Security retirement benefits online. Until now, you had to visit a local Social Security office or attempt to apply by telephone. Now, there is a link directly from the Social Security home page. This is a fantastic development for web-savvy baby boomers who are expected to be applying for Social Security retirement benefits at a rate of 10,000 per day for the next twenty years. Read more
Life Expectancy and Retirement Planning
December 9, 2008 by MJP
Filed under Investing for Retirement, Long Term Care, Social Security
Baby boomers seem to become more reflective and aware of age, aging and the concept of ”how much longer do I have.” We’ve done a lot but we want to do a lot more. We’re just worried about how much time we will have to get it all done.
Read more
