Claiming Strategies

26+ min ago   (1039+ words) Some lawmakers are calling for higher payroll taxes for certain workers to help save Social Security from insolvency. Social Security needs more money, and some Congressional lawmakers want high earners to help provide it. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie…...

7+ hour, 58+ min ago   (1552+ words) Age 63 has emerged as something of a retirement sweet spot for Americans — at least in theory. According to the 2024 MassMutual Retirement Happiness Study, retirees and pre-retirees identified 63 as the ideal age to leave the workforce (1). It's easy to understand the…...

21+ hour, 32+ min ago   (393+ words) The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is something that millions of Social Security recipients watch every year. In simple terms, the COLA provides a much-needed raise to help seniors keep up with the rising costs of living. However, while…...

2+ hour, 27+ min ago   (843+ words) Don't liquidate these assets unless you have to. Even with the best-laid retirement plan, unexpected costs can arise. If income is tighter than expected due to home repairs, a market drop, or a surprise medical bill, it may be tempting…...

8+ hour, 48+ min ago   (1388+ words) Are you planning to start collecting your Social Security retirement benefits at 62? Perhaps you’re tired of your job and want to retire. Or maybe you’re in less-than-ideal health or having a hard time making ends meet and want to start…...

20+ hour, 29+ min ago   (226+ words) Just because you can get your benefits sooner doesn't mean you should....

8+ hour, 51+ min ago   (450+ words) Several key financial factors are likely to affect your 2027 budget. Knowing what to expect can help you better anticipate both your income and your out-of-pocket expenses moving into the new year. Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors…...

3+ hour, 43+ min ago   (699+ words) A long-awaited law eliminates two controversial rules that reduced benefits for millions of retirees with government pensions. For years, some retirees saw their Social Security checks reduced or eliminated because of where or how they worked. A change to federal…...

3+ hour, 8+ min ago   (1163+ words) A little-known corner of the tax code lets retirees legally hide a chunk of their IRA from the IRS formula that forces taxable withdrawals every year, but the trade-off is severe enough that most financial advisors never bring it up....

4+ hour, 13+ min ago   (895+ words) This is what claiming early, waiting, and working could mean for you. Turning 60 has a way of making retirement feel less theoretical. Social Security eligibility is only two years away, and the age at which you claim could shape your…...