Mar 14 Report: Social security numbers active for 6.5 million people aged 112 By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press Nearly 67,000 of the Social Security numbers were used to report more than $3 billion in wages, tips and self-employment income from 2006 to 2011, according to the report. One Social Security number was used 613 different times. Continue reading
Mar 11 I can get my Social Security abroad, so why not my Medicare? By Philip Moeller If health care costs are lower in other countries, wouldn't Medicare save money by allowing beneficiaries to receive medical care overseas? Making Sen$e Medicare columnist Phil Moeller gets lots of questions from retirees hoping to receive Medicare abroad the same… Continue reading
Mar 09 Your relationship means nothing to Social Security unless you’re married By Laurence Kotlikoff Marriage is the only way to validate a relationship before the Social Security Administration. Even if a couple has raised children together and one partner dies, Social Security does not consider the other partner eligible for the late partner's widow(er)'s… Continue reading
Mar 04 Why are my health insurance premiums going up and up? By Philip Moeller A reader's insurance agent says that everyone's premiums are going up. But the reader wonders if he could be spending less. Making Sen$e Medicare Maven Phil Moeller tells him what to look for. Continue reading
Mar 02 Spousal benefits, you say? Does age difference matter? By Laurence Kotlikoff Many readers this week were curious about the file-and-suspend and spousal benefit strategies that Larry Kotlikoff details in his new book, "Get What's Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security."… Continue reading
Feb 26 Watch 7:00 Tricks and tips for getting the most from Social Security By PBS News Hour The longer you wait before cashing in on Social Security benefits, the greater the financial reward. But many don’t wait until age 70. There’s a range of loopholes and “secrets” that can improve your benefits, a fact economics correspondent Paul… Continue watching
Feb 23 10 Social Security rules that are insane By Laurence Kotlikoff Ever feel like you need a translator to understand what the Social Security Administration is trying to tell you? You're not alone. As part of his new book, co-authored with Making Sen$e's Paul Solman and Phil Moeller, Social Security expert… Continue reading
Feb 16 How to get what’s yours from Social Security By Laurence Kotlikoff, Philip Moeller, Paul Solman One day while playing tennis, Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff informed Paul Solman about a strategy for maximizing the benefits that he and his wife were eligible to collect. They decided everyone else should know that secret, too, and are… Continue reading
Feb 14 Republicans: Obama giving ‘amnesty bonuses’ to immigrants By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press Millions of immigrants benefiting from President Barack Obama's executive actions could get a windfall from the IRS, a reversal of fortune after years of paying taxes to help fund government programs they were banned from receiving. Continue reading
Feb 09 4 reasons not to trust Social Security’s benefit estimates By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff recommends you retrieve your annual statement each year to check that Social Security has correctly credited your covered earnings. But don’t trust the statement’s projections of your retirement benefits or the benefits available to family… Continue reading