Nation Sep 22 What all remarried newlyweds need to know about Social Security Don't assume your new spouse will automatically be eligible for a spousal benefit based on your Social Security record. Larry Kotlikoff advises a recently married couple, whose previous marriages both ended in divorce, how they can maximize their benefits.
Economy Sep 15 You need to dump your hubby and collect on your ex Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff explains why you collecting on your ex-spouse's work record can yield better Social Security benefits.
Nation Sep 08 You’re not the only loser when taking Social Security early Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff has long encouraged you to wait until age 70 to collect your retirement benefit. But you're not the only one who will lose by taking it early. Taking benefits before full retirement age also reduces…
Nation Sep 02 How one family can collect 8 different Social Security benefits Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff explains how a husband, wife and son could boost their $1 million lifetime Social Security benefits with a different collection strategy that adds one more benefit to the mix.
Nation Aug 25 Is my Social Security check fair? You've spent decades paying taxes on your earnings to fund your own Social Security benefit, but when your higher-earning spouse dies, you start receiving spousal benefits that wipe out your own, albeit smaller, retirement benefit. Is that a fair deal?…
Nation Aug 19 The easiest way to get higher Social Security benefits: keep working In many cases, getting more Social Security benefits from working longer outweighs the additional Social Security taxes you'd need to pay, says Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff.
Nation Aug 11 Social Security and Viagra: A case of accidental death and widows benefits There are countless rules governing Social Security benefits, and just as many exceptions to those rules, including one for "accidental death," which allows widow(er)s to receive survivor benefits even after having been married less than the requisite nine months. Larry…
Nation Aug 04 How do stay-at-home parents collect Social Security? Social Security expert Larry Kotilkoff advises several couples nearing retirement how to collect benefits when one spouse hasn't worked outside the home.
Nation Jul 28 What all Americans and their representatives need to know about Social Security Before testifying in front of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, Larry Kotlikoff shares with Making Sen$e readers and their representatives need to know about how benefits are administered and what policy changes should be enacted to…
Nation Jul 21 Will Social Security tell me if I’m leaving benefits on the table? How do you know if you're taking all the Social Security benefits you could be? Larry Kotlikoff presents the cautionary tale of one couple who devised their Social Security collection plan early in retirement, only to find out much later…