MoneyMoney
Is the World Still Round?
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- Category: Personal Finance
- Written by Eric D. Etshman
“Stop going for the easy buck and start producing something with your life. Create, instead of living off the buying and selling of others.”
-Martin Sheen as Carl Fox, Wall Street
For centuries European explorers navigated the globe on what was then the prevalent assumption that world was flat, and that a terrible and unimagined fate befell those who traversed too close to it’s edge. While the scientific knowledge of the Earth’s roundness was said to be known as far back as the ancient Egyptians and through to the Greeks and even the Mayan civilization, you could argue that nobody knew for sure until Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe, a journey he did not survive, actually proved it.
FLESH OUT YOUR FINANCIAL SKELETON
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- Category: Retirement
- Written by Sherita Deal
As Halloween hovers on the horizon, the most frightening prospect for some adults has nothing to do with ghosts or goblins. Rather, it’s their scary lack of preparation when it comes to retirement planning.
We suggest a new activity: fleshing out your financial skeleton. Here are the rules.
SOCIAL SECURITY CAN BENEFIT SURVIVING HUSBANDS OR WIVES (AND KIDS)
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- Category: Retirement
- Written by Laurie Stuchlik
So here are some basic facts that may interest you about Social Security survivors insurance.
If you are working and paying into Social Security, some of your Social Security taxes go toward survivors insurance. In fact, for most workers, the value of the survivors insurance under Social Security may be more than the value of any life insurance policy owned.
Who can receive survivors benefits based on your work? Your surviving husband or wife may be able to receive full benefits at his or her full retirement age. They also can choose to take reduced Survivors benefits as early as age 60. And, if your surviving spouse is disabled, benefits can begin as early as age 50.
FAST FACTS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY
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- Category: Retirement
- Written by Loretta R. Hixenbaugh
When you think of Social Security, you probably think about a monthly payment for retired and disabled workers. But Social Security has a rich history full of interesting facts. The program has been around for almost 75 years, so there has been ample time to put together a list of fun facts and figures. Here are a few.
More Income Tax Tips From Social Security
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- Category: Retirement
Here are Social Security’s top three tips for making Income Tax time a lot easier.
To Tax Or Not to Tax - A Social Security Question
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- Category: Retirement
- Written by Joan Permar - Social Security Manager
When it comes to Social Security benefits, you may be wondering who must pay taxes on them and who does not. Let’s look at the numbers.
If you file a federal tax return as an "individual" and your total income is more than $25,000, then the answer for you is yes: you’ll have to pay federal taxes on your benefits. If you file a joint return and you and your spouse have a total income more than $32,000, you’ll be expected to pay federal taxes as well.
RETIREMENT ESTIMATOR EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE
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- Category: Retirement
- Written by Loretta R. Hixenbaugh - Social Security Manager
Improvements to one of the most popular online services in government — the Retirement Estimator,allow more people than ever before to get a personalized and instant estimate of future Social Security retirement benefits.
Since its launch last year, the Retirement Estimator has provided more than four million personalized estimates, and is one of the most highly rated online services in government.
Apply for Social Security
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- Category: Retirement
Many Americans begin each new year with a list of resolutions and goals. You may want to go on a diet, shed a little weight, do a bit more exercising, or clean out the long-neglected attic. The trouble is these well-intended goals often melt away long before winter’s snow does.
So why not make a resolution that’s easier to keep?
If applying for retirement benefits is on your list of things to do this year, resolve to do it online. To get started, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.
WHAT TO DO IF SOCIAL SECURITY PAYS YOU TOO MUCH
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- Category: Retirement
- Written by Laurie Stuchlik Social Security Manager
What should you do if Social Security pays you too much? That may seem like a strange idea at first, as most people worry about not having enough money. If you receive monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, an overpayment can occur for many reasons, including work or another benefit that requires a reduction in your Social Security or SSI payment.
If Social Security does pay you too much, you will receive an overpayment notice in the mail. If you have a representative payee who helps you manage your money, a copy of the letter will go to your payee. The notice will explain why you were overpaid, your repayment options, and your appeal and waiver rights. You should read the notice carefully.
