Jun 23 What maxing out your Social Security benefits looks like in dollars By Laurence Kotlikoff Just how big a deal is maximizing your Social Security? It matters a lot when it comes to the dollars and cents of the lifetime benefits for which you'll be eligible. Larry Kotlikoff presents several cases, for individuals and couples,… Continue reading
Jun 16 What Social Security’s Survivors Planner won’t tell you about taking widows benefits By Laurence Kotlikoff Thanks to one of Social Security's nasty "gotchas," the survivor benefits that a widow(er) collects depend on when the late spouse took retirement benefits. Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff shows how the collection strategy of one deceased husband makes all… Continue reading
Jun 02 Your Social Security benefits depend on the specifics By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff says there is no general rule in trying to maximize your Social Security benefits. The precise amounts of what you and your current, ex-, or deceased spouse(s) earned and when you and they earned it… Continue reading
May 26 Why Social Security lowballs benefit estimates By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security's online calculators intentionally underestimate your benefits to encourage people to save more on their own, explains Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff. Continue reading
May 19 Protecting your spouse’s Social Security when cancer cuts your time short By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff puts to rest a cancer patient's fears that he and his wife made a mistake by not having her file for spousal benefits as early as age 62 and explains how he can help leave… Continue reading
May 12 How the Social Security system rips off poor people By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security benefits are calculated in a highly progressive manner, but the system is plagued with catch-22s that disadvantage poor recipients. Larry Kotlikoff explains which benefit strategy will help a financially strapped retiree maximize her income. Continue reading
May 09 Baby name trends show parents want their kids to stand out By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press WASHINGTON — When it comes to baby names, blending in is out, and standing out is in. Noah and Sophia top the Social Security Administration’s list of most popular American baby names for 2013, but they don’t begin to approach… Continue reading
Apr 28 How to maximize Social Security benefits if Congress targets file-and-suspend strategy By Laurence Kotlikoff Addressing threats that President Obama's budget could eliminate a Social Security claiming strategy that high-income households often use to maximize benefits, Larry Kotlikoff tells one couple what their options are if the law changes. Continue reading
Apr 21 Calling out Social Security for its awful inequities By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security's arcane provisions don't just disadvantage recipients who can't figure out what they mean. As Larry Kotlikoff explains, there are also structural inequities in the system that put certain groups, particularly lower-earners, at a disadvantage. Continue reading
Apr 15 Federal debt collectors halt program to seize unpaid Social Security By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press People with old Social Security debts are getting a reprieve -- for now. The Social Security Administration had been participating in a program in which thousands of people were having their tax refunds seized to recoup overpayments that happened more… Continue reading