Jan 12 How many husbands’ Social Security benefits can you collect? By Laurence Kotlikoff If you're one of the millions of Americans who have been married multiple times, you may be eligible to collect benefits from ex-spouses, deceased spouses and current spouses, but never at the same time, explains Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff. Continue reading
Jan 06 China’s ‘marriage market’ where mom sets you up on your first date By Larisa Epatko At China’s so-called “marriage market” in a park in the heart of Shanghai, well-meaning parents try to match up their aging children by touting their attributes … on umbrellas. Continue reading
Nov 14 Same-sex couples ask Supreme Court to legalize gay marriage nationwide By Mark Sherman, Associated Press Same-sex couples seeking the right to marry are asking the Supreme Court to settle the issue of gay marriage nationwide. Appeals being filed Friday urge the justices to review last week's lower court ruling that upheld anti-gay marriage laws in… Continue reading
Nov 03 4 Social Security tips for boomers who never married By Laurence Kotlikoff Much of Larry Kotlikoff's Social Security advice pertains to married couples or partners who are divorced, separated or widowed. But today, he speaks to those boomers who have never married, and tells them what they need to know should they… Continue reading
Oct 14 Can’t stand your spouse? Here’s a secret about collecting divorcée Social Security benefits By Laurence Kotlikoff You may not need to be married for the full 10 years usually required to collect divorcée Social Security benefits. With the help of former Social Security technical expert, Larry Kotlikoff explains how eight years could do the trick. Continue reading
Oct 13 Watch Interpreting the Vatican’s language shift on homosexuality, divorce By PBS NewsHour A gathering of bishops convened by Pope Francis broke new ground on some taboos of the Catholic faith. While there was no change in doctrine on cohabitation, divorce and homosexuality, the Church signaled a shift away from condemning people who… Continue watching
Sep 22 What all remarried newlyweds need to know about Social Security By Laurence Kotlikoff 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. Continue reading
Aug 21 Watch Former VA governor leans on marital struggles as defense to fight corruption charges By PBS NewsHour Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell returned to the stand in his public corruption trial, describing in detail how relations with his wife had broken down in order to show that the couple could not have jointly engaged in a criminal… Continue watching
Jul 14 How Social Security should guide when you marry a younger partner By Laurence Kotlikoff When there's an age difference between partners, and one is eligible for Social Security long before the other, when should the couple tie the knot? Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff advises one man how to maximize his own benefits and… Continue reading
Mar 07 Many millennials are skipping church, marriage and political affiliations, study finds By Jesse J. Holland, Associated Press Half of American adults ages 18 to 33 are self-described political independents, according to a survey out Friday, but at the same time half of these so-called millennials are Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party, the highest share for… Continue reading