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Decoding Social Security 'Claim' Numbers Jun. 21, 2023
Q: I am a 78-year-old recent widow. I got my own Social Security number when I was about 20. But sin... Read More
The Miserly Social Security Death Benefit Jun. 14, 2023
About a month ago, I wrote a column explaining what family members need to do when a loved one who w... Read More
My 'Ivory Tower' Is in the Basement of a Suburban Split-Level Jun. 07, 2023
I got an interesting email (actually, it was more like a rant) from a guy who was upset about an enc... Read More
Why Social Interaction Is Essential Jun. 03, 2023
For years, researchers have known that everyone benefits from socialization—regardless of age ... Read More
I'm Dead. Now What? May. 24, 2023
Gosh, I hate getting old! Even though my wife and I are relatively fit, when you're in your late 70s... Read More
Social Security for Younger Retirees May. 17, 2023
Conventional wisdom has it that to get the most out of your Social Security, you should wait as long... Read More
Your Social Security Payments Outside the US May. 10, 2023
As I write this, my wife and I are about to leave on a one-month trip to England. This has been one ... Read More
Little Green Martians and Social Security Apr. 26, 2023
I was looking through some old columns of mine and I found one from about 15 years ago with an intri... Read More
The SSN: A History Lesson Apr. 19, 2023
Regular readers of my column know that I try to avoid the use of Social Security jargon, abbreviatio... Read More
Common Social Security Questions Apr. 12, 2023
Well, it's been a strange week. My inbox is normally crammed with emails from readers. But this week... Read More
Change Is Nothing New to Social Security Mar. 15, 2023
I continually remind my readers that they shouldn't worry too much when they read or hear reports of... Read More
Disability Benefits for Senior Citizens Mar. 08, 2023
Many older folks are asking me about getting disability benefits from Social Security. I'll offer so... Read More
More Questionable Advice From the SSA Mar. 01, 2023
I hate writing columns that are critical of some of my former colleagues who are still working for t... Read More
If You Mess Up, Don't Blame the Government Feb. 22, 2023
Sometimes people will write to me complaining that the government, specifically the Social Security ... Read More
An Unusual Morning Mailbag Feb. 15, 2023
Most mornings, I sit down at my computer and open my emails. I find many of the same questions I've ... Read More
Message to Homemakers: Building Up Your Own Social Security Might Not Be Worth It Feb. 01, 2023
I will occasionally get questions, almost always from women who spent much of their adult life as ho... Read More
Columnist Turns a Molehill Into a Mountain Jan. 25, 2023
Several readers shared with me a story that ran in many newspapers around the country headlined: "So... Read More
The Problems With Running a Disability Program Jan. 18, 2023
Several readers recently sent me copies of a news story that appeared in papers around the country. ... Read More
Champion for the Disabled: Jim Brett Keeps Fighting Dec. 27, 2022
Jim Brett has a lot of admirers, and a lot of them think about him this time of year. The longtime p... Read More
Caregiver Survival Guide Jun. 10, 2022
Full disclosure: Even though I've been obsessed with health issues my entire life, I've never been i... Read More
