Showing posts with label Social Security information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social Security information. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Social Security & Medicare Information

In the past, this blog has linked the articles that pertain to Social Security and Medicare under the Retirement Money or Medical Concerns tabs.  However, making decisions about Social Security and Medicare has become so complicated that it has become apparent they deserve a category of their own.

Many people believe that all they need to do is sign up for Social Security sometime after the age of 62 and Medicare once they turn 65 and there is very little they need to think about in making these decisions.  However, if people want to get the most money possible from Social Security and spend the least amount of money while getting the maximum benefits from their Medicare, they need to do some planning BEFORE they ever sign up for either program.

Below you will find links to a group of articles that you will want to read and think about as you get close to your retirement age.  In addition, I want to mention that the rules regarding these programs, and the costs involved with Medicare, change nearly every year.  It is important to make sure you get the latest information possible before you make any final decisions.

Article Links for Information about Social Security and Medicare

**  Our Medicare Expert Will Answer Your Questions  **

2015 Medicare Changes, Premiums and Deductibles (2015)

2016 Social Security Increase Ridiculously Low

2018 Social Security COLA and Medicare Premium Increases

Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period 

Common Medicare Mistakes

Confusing Parts of Medicare  

Covid-19 will Lower Social Security Benefits for People Born in 1960 

Electronic Social Security Payments Only Option Since 2013

Guide for When Someone Dies (who to contact) 

How to Access Your Social Security Information Online

How to Collect Social Security and Retire Overseas 

Hopeful News for the Future of Medicare

How to Fix Medicare (read above article, as well)

How to Sign Up for Medicare

Important Medicare Tips for Boomers

Living on Social Security in the U.S. 

Maximize Your Social Security Benefits for an Easier Retirement 




Should You Change Your Medicare Plan?  What to Consider  

Should You Get a Medicare Advantage Plan with Your Medicare? 

Should You Get Medigap Supplemental Insurance with Your Medicare? 

Social Security and Remarriage

Social Security at Age 70 Maximizes Future Income 

Social Security Benefit Changes (2016) 

Social Security Changes in 2019

Social Security Cost of Living Increases Under a Chained CPI

Social Security: Facts Everyone Should Know

Social Security Myths and Misunderstandings 

 Vote to Lower Medicare Prescription Drug Prices 

What Medicare Does NOT Cover

What is the Average Amount of Social Security? 

When to Take Social Security Benefits Early 

Where to Retire in the U.S. on Social Security Alone

Women and Social Security

This article contains links only to articles that pertain to Social Security, Medicare and other assistance programs that are available to support you financially or cover your medical expenses once you reach retirement age.

In addition, you will want to read the additional articles in this blog that discuss where to retire, common medical issues, financial planning, changing family relationships and more.  Use the tabs or pull down menus at the top of this blog to find links to these blog articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  Morguefile.com  

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Social Security Decisions are Complicated!

Many people assume that when they reach their early to mid-60's, they will simply quit their jobs, start collecting Social Security and the whole process will be fairly predictable.  In fact, this is actually what the vast majority of people do.  Sometimes it works out; sometimes people have regrets, especially when they learn that their friends are receiving a lot more money than they are.  Making the right choices about Social Security actually involves some of the most complex decisions you will make in your lifetime.

No one likes to make a costly and embarrassing mistake.  It is easy to do, however, when you consider that there are actually 2700 rules that will affect your benefits.  What are some of the decisions you need to make?  Should the breadwinner in your family collect as soon as they turn 62, wait until their full retirement age of 66 - 67, or postpone receiving their benefits until the maximum age of 70? At what age should the spouse, and ex-spouses, apply for their benefits?  Should you take the "file and suspend" option?  Do you even know what that is?

After reading several books on the subject, I realized that I would have to write dozens of articles on Social Security, and keep them updated, in order to even come close to providing the helpful information that is available in this book:  "Social Security Income Planning: The Baby Boomer's Guide to Maximize Your Retirement Benefits."  (Use this link to see the book on Amazon.com)

This book takes you through virtually all of the different options you have and the advantages and disadvantages of each.  It also explains how to invest your investment savings in such a way that you will minimize the income taxes you will pay on your retirement income.

Make sure you read the most recent edition of this or any other retirement book that you order.  Several significant laws changed at the beginning of 2016.  For example, the File and Suspend option is no longer available to couples ... a program that substantially increased the retirement income of many couples in the past.


After looking over the different books that have been written about Social Security, I felt that this was the most comprehensive and up-to-date book I could find.  Whether you are getting ready to retire in a few years or you are decades away, this book will help you make the decisions that are right for you.

Whether you read this book, a different one, or order all the available government brochures that explain Social Security, you owe it to yourself to thoroughly research what you want to do BEFORE you stop working and start collecting.  After that, it is really too late.

Since Social Security benefits make up the largest part of the retirement plans for the majority of people, this is not an area you want to neglect.  There are many legal tricks you can use to maximize your benefits ... and the employees of the Social Security Administration are not allowed to tell you about them.  All they will do is implement your benefits when you ask them to.

You may also want to use the tabs at the top of this blog for links to hundreds of articles about where to retire in the United States or abroad, medical issues that may come up as you age, family issues and more financial planning ideas.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  Amazon.com