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 27 Expecting a public pension? Don't hold your breath for Social Security too By Laurence Kotlikoff In some states, the earnings of government employees, like teachers, do not count toward Social Security. Any Social Security benefits they've earned, even those from a spouse, may be reduced by half of the public employee's non-covered pension. Continue reading
Oct 22 How to find a Medicare Part D drug plan online By Philip Moeller Medicare's prescription drug plans change what drugs they offer and how much they charge every year, with plans differing by geographic region. But just looking at premiums, which some drug-plan guides do, is not going to tell you much about… Continue reading
Oct 20 Yes, Social Security can cancel your benefit. This is how By Laurence Kotlikoff Expecting your Social Security check after paying FICA taxes for years? You may be disappointed. You won't receive your own Social Security benefit if you receive a survivor benefit, for example, that is larger. In other words, you cannot receive… Continue reading
Oct 15 Medicare's open enrollment period is health care's Groundhog Day By Philip Moeller Wednesday marks the beginning of the open enrollment period for Medicare. In his debut column on Making Sen$e, Philip Moeller, our "Medicare Maven," tells you what you need to know and invites your questions. 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 10 How to teach self-control and reduce economic inequality By Walter Mischel If taught young, self-control skills can have strong protective effects, even helping those whose vulnerabilities might make them more likely to fall behind economically. That's according to Walter Mischel, author of "The Marshmallow Test," in part four of his conversation… Continue reading
Oct 06 You have your Social Security strategy all wrong By Laurence Kotlikoff Larry Kotlikoff explains that remarried retirees cannot collect spousal benefits from an ex-wife or ex-husband, and steers a couple away from a Social Security strategy that wouldn't have worked for them. Continue reading
Sep 29 What's the cost of returning to work after taking Social Security early? By Laurence Kotlikoff Benefit reductions from the earnings test can wreak havoc on your budget, explains Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff, because they're not pro-rated. In other words, a retiree who has gone back to work to make ends meet after taking benefits… Continue reading
Sep 24 Why half of U.S. adults no longer believe in the American dream By Simone Pathe If the economy is the most important issue to voters this fall, how do they feel about their own financial well-being? Half of U.S. adults think they're better off than their kids will be, with even middle class households facing… Continue reading