...providing retirement news snippets from various sources for federal employees, postal employees, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive Social Security . Your resource for retirement living, investment, employment, health care, and retirement leisure. - Stay Informed!
Title: I paid my 40 quarters, why is my social security benefit reduced?
Article Snip: "...While your annuity cannot be reduced, any Social Security benefit you are entitled to will be affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision. The WEP reduces that benefit if you have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security. For a full explanation of the WEP and how it will affect you, go to https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf . ..."
Reference: www.federaltimes.comTitle: Cost of Renting vs. Owning a Home in Every State
Article Snip: "According to conventional financial wisdom, it’s more cost-efficient to own a home than to rent one. But with high home prices across the U.S., is that still the case?...To find out the more affordable housing option, GOBankingRates analyzed the average price of renting versus owning a home in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia. The study found that in the majority of states, it is..."
Reference: yahoo.comArticle Snip: "Illegal Aliens in Denver and New York City Purchasing Fraudulent Social Security Cards...Top destination choices for illegal aliens due to their sanctuary policies – are experiencing an uptick in illegal aliens purchasing fraudulent social security cards...This uptick is concerning given it signals both a growing amount of identity fraud perpetrated on Americans and the use of these numbers to illegally obtain jobs. In New York City, where nearly 180,000 illegal aliens have entered since 2022, criminals with ties to MS-13 and the 18th Street gang are openly selling social security cards to migrants on street corners in Queens."
Reference: finchannel.comArticle Snip: "...The Social Security Administration (SSA) has set up a process whereby noncitizens can apply for a Social Security number as part of the immigration process. Typically, immigrants will simultaneously apply for both a Social Security number and work authorization...what qualifies a person for Social Security benefits, and how non-citizens and immigrants can oftentimes participate. ...Immigrants who have work permits — or those who acquire lawful permanent resident status — can qualify for Social Security benefits in the same manner as U.S. citizens. ...important note for immigrants is that if you have worked in a country that the U.S. has a “totalization agreement” with, you may be able to use your foreign work credits to help qualify for U.S. Social Security."
Reference: yahoo.comTitle: A bill to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits has been reintroduced
Article Snip: "...bill announced in the U.S. House could scrap federal taxes on Social Security benefits starting in 2025... dubbed the “You Earned It, You Keep It Act,” that would repeal the taxation of Social Security benefits, putting money back into the pockets of retirees."
Reference: www.msn.comSnippet of Article: "...Joe Biden stated that funding in a Ukrainian aid package, and later approved by our lawmakers, could be used to pay Ukrainian pensions.
This February, a former Texas city councilman stated that Biden’s announcement means that U.S. Taxpayers are paying pensions and welfare for Ukrainians. Meanwhile, millions of Americans including veterans are unable to pay for food, housing or medical, and thousands more are homeless on the street.
Biden stated funding provides food, water, medicine and shelter to displaced Ukrainians. It also supports pensions in order that the Ukrainians “have something in their pocket.”..."
Title: US Inflation Rises in February in Sign Price Pressures Remain Elevated
Article Snip: "Consumer prices in the United States picked up last month, a sign that inflation remains a persistent challenge...Prices rose 0.4% from January to February, higher than the previous month's figure of 0.3%, the Labor Department said Tuesday. Compared with a year earlier, consumer prices rose 3.2% last month, faster than January's 3.1% annual pace.
Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called "core" prices also climbed 0.4% from January to February... "
Title: 11 States That Will Tax Social Security Benefits in 2024
Article Snip: "...These are the 11 states that tax Social Security benefits in 2023 and are expected to do the same in 2024: Colorado..."
Reference: yahoo.coTitle: I’m a Retirement Expert: These 7 States Are Better for Retirement Than Florida
Article Snip: "..the state’s ongoing insurance crisis is spiraling toward catastrophe and the hurricanes that have long plagued Florida’s summers and falls are becoming more frequent and severe. All of that, plus the state’s emergence as an epicenter of America’s political and culture wars, is making some people rethink the Sunshine State as the go-to retirement destination. But which states offer a better alternative?...“Alabama is one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees,” said Shelley. “The state has no taxes on Social Security benefits, pension income or withdrawals from retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. This makes it an attractive destination for retirees looking to stretch their retirement income. In addition to its tax-friendly policies, Alabama also boasts a low cost of living"
Reference: finance.yahoo.comArticle Snip: "...She attempted to mitigate her feelings of isolation by reading and doing various projects at home, but Maki told me that between not having close contact with family members and living alone in a new city, she reached a point where "enough is enough." Her outlook shifted in March of last year when she..."
Reference: www.businessinsider.comTitle: Sen. Lee introduces bill to protect taxpayer dollars from woke ESG funds
Article Snip: "...“Last year, the Thrift Savings Plan began allowing federal employees to invest their taxpayer-funded salaries into ESG plans. The U.S. Government has no business propping up woke scams like ESG. ..."
Reference: www.lee.senate.govArticle Snip: "...claims that new ones are on the way are due in part to the growth of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in creating content, says McKenzie Sadeghi, AI and foreign influence editor for NewsGuard, a company that monitors misinformation in online media.
Imminent stimulus checks are a staple of “content farms,” she says — supposed news sites that regurgitate dubious information and often rely on AI-generated articles with little or no human oversight. ..."
Title: Keeping a Mortgage After 65: A ‘No Brainer’ or a Big Risk?
Article Snip: "Conventional wisdom dictates that retiring with debt — especially a debt as large and significant as a mortgage — is financially dicey at best and potentially ruinous at worst.
That’s not how Brian Lindmeier sees it. ..."
Title: Essential Estate Planning for American Expats: – Resident in Singapore Paperback
Article Snip: "There are millions of U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents (commonly known as "Green Card" holders) residing outside of the U.S. It is notoriously difficult for US exposed international entrepreneurs and American Expats to easily access credible help in Estate Planning. Our Singapore-based practice has seen an upswing in the number of Asia based clients who have issues related to US Estate Taxes. This book is therefore a key resource. Not only do we explore key elements of the estate planning process but we also touch on the international tax implications. While writing this book in summer 2020, Jui Seck lost his mother. Weeks later, I lost my father - Hayden T Joseph CPA. My dad, who is responsible for me becoming an international tax professional, passed away at our family home in Miami after a long illness. So, for both Jui Seck and myself, this book is not only born of professional observations but also, our very personal experiences. What makes this book different is that we are not trying to sell you any prepackaged products. We simply wish to emphasize just how important estate planning is, and to equip you with the tools needed to protect your legacy. No book can be a substitute for sound legal advice. As an international entrepreneur or expat, it is essential to find the right team to help guide you through this process. I deliberately use the word "team" because it is impossible to find a single person that knows everything when it comes to international estate ..."
Reference: AmazonTitle: Super Bowl LVIII has lowest attendance for any non-pandemic edition of the game
Article Snip: "...Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal, Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas has resulted in the lowest announced attendance for any non-pandemic Super Bowl. Officially, 61,629 are here for the game. ..."
Reference: www.nbcsports.comTitle: If You’re Retired, Do You Still Need Life Insurance?
Article Snip: "...It depends, but in general people tend to be underinsured early in life and overinsured later in life. Before making any decisions, get a needs analysis. ..."
Reference: www.kiplinger.comFrom the article: "...One of the most unique retirement communities in all of Florida is located about an hour outside of Orlando in Polk County. The community’s name is Nalcrest, and the unique thing is that with very few exceptions, all of its residents are retired US Postal workers. ..."
Title: Here is the average income for retirees in the US — how do you compare?
Article Snip: "...Americans hoping to retire soon aren’t likely to feel that the timing’s ideal. Even those with decades worth of savings are taking huge hits, no thanks to the triple whammy of inflation, high interest rates and a volatile stock market. ...Social Security retirement benefits averaged... "
Reference: moneywise.comSnippet of Article: "...on his staff, saying he took responsibility for “not having seen exactly” what they were doing. “I take responsibility for not having seen exactly what my staff was doing,” Biden said, when asked by a reporter ...The special counsel report found that Biden willfully retained classified information, including top secret documents, and knew he was in possession of some documents as far back as 2017, and shared some of that information with the ghostwriter of his 2017 memoir. ..."
Source: www.cnn.comTitle: Secure Act 2.0 | This bill creates even more changes to the way you need to plan for retirement.
Article Snip: "Whenever there are sweeping laws like this, there is usually a period of time during which law makers have to clarify the legislation. ...The first big change comes to RMDs. The original Secure Act...Changes to Roth accounts... Spousal Inheritance Options... TSP Factors"
Reference: www.fedweek.comeverify Social Security Lock | Protect Yourself From The Foreign Invasion Snippet of Article: "...Self Lock is the unique feature...