social security

Why retired teachers struggle to make ends meet

By Madeline Will, Education Week

In several states, retired teachers and other state workers haven’t gotten a cost-of-living adjustment to their pension checks in years. And with the cost of health care continuing to rise, retirees say they’re reaching a breaking point.

How will my tax return affect my Medicare premium?

By Philip Moeller

Medicare’s high-income surcharges apply to an entire calendar year, writes columnist Philip Moeller.

Medicare and Social Security stay on unsustainable financial paths, reports show

By Philip Moeller

Mostly unchanged from last year's report, the outlook for Social Security improved slightly. Its solvency was extended to 2035 due to significant changes in the program’s disability insurance fund.

Column: Will I be penalized for not getting Medicare at 65? It depends

By Philip Moeller

If you are employed and have employer group health insurance, you did not need to get Medicare when you turned 65, columnist Phil Moeller explains.

How to navigate Social Security’s benefits after marriage, death and divorce

By Philip Moeller

Your Social Security benefits can be drastically different based on your marital status, writes columnist Philip Moeller.

How can I get more help for an ailing, older parent?

By Philip Moeller

Many people mistakenly think that Medicare covers lots of things that it doesn't, only to learn the reality of its limitations when they or a loved one is denied coverage.

Why later enrollment in supplemental Medicare can cause problems

By Philip Moeller

Changing your supplemental health insurance once you've had your Medigap plan for more than six months can limit your options if you have preexisting conditions, columnist Phil Moeller writes.

What can you do about an unwanted Medicare enrollment?

By Philip Moeller

Never throw anything from Social Security into the trash. These computer-generated letters can have a big effect on your life.

Why you should know about these Social Security and Medicare donut holes

By Philip Moeller

Medicare rules are supposed to protect people when they enter a "donut hole" in their coverage, but the high cost of prescriptions are making the plans less effective, writes columnist Philip Moeller.