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Social Security Rules for Federal Government Employees Apr. 05, 2023
I've commented before how surprised I am that a high percentage of emails I get come from the relati... Read More
Be Prepared Jan. 11, 2023
I got an email from a woman who had recently filed for widow's benefits. She was writing to tell me ... Read More
Turning Full Retirement Age in 2023? Consider Filing for Benefits This Month Jan. 04, 2023
I write a column like this one every January, but I don't mind plagiarizing myself because it contai... Read More
Agency Puts Lump of Coal in Seniors' Stockings Dec. 21, 2022
Just last week, I wrote a column in which I passed along my ideas for a holiday gift for senior citi... Read More
My Holiday Gift Ideas for You Dec. 14, 2022
My holiday gift guide doesn't include a box of chocolates or tickets for a Caribbean cruise. This is... Read More
Reduced Benefits Explained Nov. 30, 2022
Before I start today's column — a word of warning. It's going to involve a lot of messy math, ... Read More
Don't Overthink Social Security Starting Date Questions Nov. 09, 2022
I frequently get emails from readers who turn a little molehill of an issue into a big mountain of a... Read More
Rules I Can't Explain Nov. 02, 2022
I really get upset when readers tell me that they talked to a Social Security Administration employe... Read More
No Social Security Taxes Means No Social Security Benefits Oct. 26, 2022
Q: My husband is a 58-year-old farmer. He is a very stubborn man. He is opposed to paying any kind o... Read More
Questions Seldom Asked Oct. 05, 2022
Because I've been writing this column for about a quarter-century now, you probably can guess that t... Read More
100 Social Security Myths Busted Sep. 28, 2022
I've just released a new book. It's called "Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts." You can get a... Read More
Delayed Retirement Credits Explained Sep. 21, 2022
People who delay starting their Social Security beyond their full retirement age get a bonus equal t... Read More
Early Retirement Reduction Can Be Adjusted Later Sep. 14, 2022
There is a little-known Social Security rule that may help some people who started their Social Secu... Read More
Why Privatizing Social Security Can't Work Sep. 07, 2022
About a month or so ago, I wrote a column in which I just briefly mentioned that any plans to privat... Read More
The Social Security Earnings Penalty for Self-Employed People Aug. 31, 2022
"Well, Tom, you see, I'm a farmer. I got me about 100 acres of beans, and I really only work two mon... Read More
Family Maximum Doesn't Apply to Couples Aug. 24, 2022
I frequently get questions from soon-to-be retirees who have heard about a "family maximum" that app... Read More
Don't Fall For Catchy and Scary Headlines Aug. 10, 2022
I guess I picked a bad title when I called my little guidebook "Social Security: Simple and Smart." ... Read More
Sometimes, You Just Can't Win Jul. 27, 2022
I'll tell you this: Sometimes, you just can't win. I've learned over the years that you have to have... Read More
More Mailbag Questions Jul. 06, 2022
Last week, instead of writing a column centered around just one Social Security topic, I decided to ... Read More
Social Security Benefits Are Not Prorated Jun. 15, 2022
Q: It has always puzzled me why Social Security takes back a person's Social Security check for the ... Read More
