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 07 Getting your hands around slithery COBRA coverage By Philip Moeller Workers who lose their jobs may have the option of continuing their employer group health insurance for a limited time under what's known as COBRA. But how does that coverage interact with Medicare and the Affordable Care Act? Making Sen$e… Continue reading
Jan 06 Social Security 101: Don’t count on dying on time By Laurence Kotlikoff Just because your parents didn't live beyond a certain age, doesn't mean that you shouldn't plan on doing so, either. The assumption that you'll need more money later for retirement should guide all of your Social Security collection decisions, especially… Continue reading
Dec 29 Are more FICA taxes worth it? Social Security as longevity insurance By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security benefits are inflation indexed and continue until you die. There is nothing like them that you can buy on the insurance market, says Larry Kotlikoff. That's why paying more FICA taxes, often by working longer, may pay off… Continue reading
Dec 23 Will Social Security count my big earnings if I lose my job before 66? By Laurence Kotlikoff If you lose your high-paying job before full retirement age, you don't lose Social Security benefits you've already paid for, says expert Larry Kotlikoff. What you might miss out on, though, is an opportunity to raise your lifetime benefits even… Continue reading
Dec 18 Where to give your money this holiday season, according to behavioral economics By Paul Solman If you're fortunate enough to be able to donate money this holiday season, which organizations will be receiving your checks? Paul Solman speaks with Yale behavioral economist Dean Karlan about the causes that are using funds most efficiently. Continue reading
Dec 11 How Social Security still discriminates against same-sex couples By Laurence Kotlikoff Even if a same-sex couple is married in a state where same-sex marriage is legal, if they live in a state where it's not, and one spouse tries to collect spousal or survivor benefits, he or she will not be… Continue reading
Dec 01 Collect your Social Security as if you may live to 100 By Laurence Kotlikoff If you live to 100, which is increasingly likely for middle class Americans in decent health, says Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff, you’ll be extremely happy you waited until age 70 to collect your retirement benefit. Continue reading
Nov 24 Retiring? Here’s how to get an extra month of Social Security benefits for free By Laurence Kotlikoff If you are going to file for your Social Security retirement benefit early, and you play your cards right, Larry Kotlikoff has a new trick for you to maximize your benefits. Continue reading
Nov 19 Don’t be fooled by Medicare drug plans with low premiums By Philip Moeller When shopping for Medicare drug plans, many consumers are wowed by lower monthly premiums and don’t look at other plan details that will affect their total out-of-pocket expenses. Making Sen$e's Medicare Maven Phil Moeller tells readers what other costs to… Continue reading