Jul 13 The problem with quick and easy Social Security calculators By Laurence Kotlikoff Larry Kotlikoff explains that quick and easy Social Security calculators are just that—quick. To get what's yours from Social Security, don't plan on cutting any corners. Continue reading
Jun 29 Hurray if you're gay! Time to get what's yours from Social Security By Laurence Kotlikoff The Supreme Court’s historic decision to legalize gay marriage means gay spouses can now collect spousal benefits, regardless of what state they call home. But how much do gay spouses know about Social Security benefits and how to collect them?… Continue reading
Jun 23 No matter what they tell you, it's not a question: You can suspend your Social Security benefit By Laurence Kotlikoff You can file and suspend. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But the question is whether or not it's in your best interest to file and suspend. Continue reading
Jun 15 New survey confirms no one understands Social Security. Do you? By Laurence Kotlikoff MassMutual's recent survey on Americans' Social Security knowledge show that most people are clueless when it comes to collecting Social Security. It also showed that MassMutual, itself, doesn't have a full grasp on the system. Continue reading
Jun 11 Union: Hackers have personal data, including SS numbers, on every fed employee By Ken Dilanian, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Hackers stole personnel data and Social Security numbers for every federal employee, a government worker union said Thursday, saying that the cyber theft of U.S. employee information was more damaging than the Obama administration has acknowledged. Continue reading
Jun 08 Can you collect your late spouse's Social Security and still work? By Laurence Kotlikoff Trying to understand how to maximize your Social Security can be a confusing process, but it doesn't have to be. Ask Larry your questions. Continue reading
Jun 06 Audit estimates Social Security overpaid on disabilities by nearly half By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press Social Security overpaid nearly half the people receiving disability benefits over the past decade, according to a government watchdog, raising questions about the management of the cash-strapped program. Continue reading
May 31 Report: Ex-Nazis received $20 million in Social Security benefits By Richard Lardner, Associated Press A Social Security Administration watchdog found the agency paid $20.2 million in benefits to more than 130 suspected Nazi war criminals, SS guards, and others who may have participated in the Third Reich's atrocities during World War II. Continue reading
May 26 What Social Security has yet to get right: It's your maximum age of life that matters By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security is an insurance company. It's taking money from us and promising insurance benefits in exchange. But insurance companies don't go out of their way to encourage people to ignore risks and focus on average outcomes. Continue reading
May 18 A cautionary tale about taking retroactive Social Security benefits By Laurence Kotlikoff The more I talk to people, the more I understand how easy it is to make major mistakes in taking Social Security benefits if you don't know exactly what you're doing or, equally important, don't know exactly what Social Security… Continue reading