Jun 02 Your Social Security benefits depend on the specifics By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff says there is no general rule in trying to maximize your Social Security benefits. The precise amounts of what you and your current, ex-, or deceased spouse(s) earned and when you and they earned it… Continue reading
Feb 10 How Social Security could affect your eligibility for food stamps or other public assistance By Laurence Kotlikoff Public assistance recipients are required to apply for all other types of benefits for which they may be eligible, including Social Security. If their Social Security benefits exceed a certain amount, that could affect their eligibility for other forms of… Continue reading
Feb 03 To triple-dip the Social Security system, get divorced By Laurence Kotlikoff You can double-dip the Social Security system, says Larry Kotlikoff, but not triple-dip -- unless you are divorced. Continue reading
Jan 27 Even if your unemployment checks have stopped, think twice about taking Social Security early By Laurence Kotlikoff Taking your Social Security checks early might close the gap in your finances in the short term, but if you can tide yourself over, you'll be better off in the long term if you wait. Continue reading
Jan 20 Avoid the Social Security nightmare that doomed this couple By Laurence Kotlikoff This fictitious horror story about a couple who was misled about their benefit collection strategy is a cautionary tale. Continue reading
Dec 23 How to Suspend Social Security Benefits and Restart Them at a Higher Value By Laurence Kotlikoff By Larry Kotlikoff After you reach full retirement age, you can suspend your benefits and restart them at a higher value any time through age 70. Photo courtesy of Jim McGuire via Getty Images. Larry Kotlikoff's Social Security original… Continue reading
Dec 16 Ask Larry: I learn something about Social Security’s arcane provisions every day By Laurence Kotlikoff While, under certain circumstances, you can receive all of your suspended retirement benefits in one lump sum, it's not necessarily a good idea if you've got survivors to think about. Photo courtesy of Flickr user dumbeast. Continue reading
Dec 09 Boomers beware: Are online Social Security benefit calculators safe? By Laurence Kotlikoff Not understanding what you're inputting to an online Social Security benefit calculator could result in a wildly inaccurate benefit estimate. Photo courtesy of Kick Images via Getty Images. Continue reading
Dec 02 How poor advice may have denied this woman extra Social Security benefits By Laurence Kotlikoff Rumors about Social Security policies abound; it's important to consult the Social Security Administration, especially their technical experts, about your specific circumstances. Photo courtesy of Tetra Images. Continue reading
Nov 11 Gen X and Y, it’s time to make your Social Security retirement decisions By Laurence Kotlikoff Members of Generations X and Y have important Social Security decisions to consider -- now. When and which benefits their parents and grandparents collect is just as much their concern. Photo courtesy of Lyza Danger. Continue reading