The Social Security Expansion Act Pays For Itself; Requires Wealthy to Pay Same Percentage as Working Class

Title:

Article Snip: "...The Social Security Expansion Act is profoundly wise legislation that increases Social Security benefits for all current and future beneficiaries, as well as providing additional targeted benefit increases. These include ensuring that those who work a lifetime at low wages are not forced to retire into poverty...The benefit increases in the Social Security Expansion Act are paid for entirely by requiring the wealthiest to pay their fair share into Social Security. It provides that they contribute the same percentage of their incomes to Social Security that minimum wage workers pay..."

Reference: www.commondreams.org

3 Things to Know About Social Security if You’re Divorced

Title: 3 Things to Know About Social Security if You’re Divorced

Article Snip: "...Did you know Social Security spousal benefits extend to certain ex-spouses who have gotten divorced? Social Security benefits currently provide..."

Reference: www.fool.com
social security, Divorce,

Connolly reintroduces Equal COLA Act

Title: Equal COLA Act

Article Snip: "...Equal COLA Act. The legislation aims to bring equity to the way the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is determined under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)..."

Reference: augustafreepress.com
Equal COLA Act

The jobs with the best retirement benefits

Title: The jobs with the best retirement benefits

Article Snip: "...GOBankingRates analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2017 Employer Costs for Employee Compensation data and determined the best occupations for retirement benefits based on the field with the largest employer contribution per hour. The worst jobs for retirement benefits had the lowest employer contribution per hour..."

Reference: www.msn.com

Getting Started on the Retirement Process

Title: Getting Started on the Retirement Process

Article Snip: "...You should begin planning for retirement at least a year ahead of the day you expect to retire. However, an early retirement offer, a “buyout,” or a RIF can motivate you to make a quick retirement decision..."

Reference: www.fedweek.com

Five Considerations for Federal Employee Disability Retirement Cases

Title: Five Considerations for Federal Employee Disability Retirement Cases

Article Snip: "...Federal employees thinking about filing for disability retirement should consider the following five issues as they debate whether or not to proceed..."

Reference: www.arlnow.com
Disability Retirement

Is Working after Retirement Worth the Costs?

Title: Is Working after Retirement Worth the Costs?

Article Snip: "...because the SRS (in this case) is treated the same as a Social Security benefit, it can be reduced or eliminated if you exceed the earnings limit. The limit for earnings before impacting either SSA or SRS payments is $17,040 in 2018..."

Reference: www.fedsmith.com
Social Security Earnings Limit, Social Security special retirement supplement (SRS), CSRS vs FERS,

COLA's: Another FERS Disadvantage (Lower COLA's and Age Delayed)

Title: Federal Annuity and Benefits

Article Snip: "...FERS and FERS Specials Cost-of-Living Adjustments are not provided until age 62, except for disability, survivor benefits, and other special provision retirements. FERS disability retirees get the adjustment, except when they are receiving a disability annuity based on 60 percent of their high-3 average salary. Also, under FERS, if you have a CSRS component, the component is subject to the CSRS COLA calculation. FERS survivors receive the FERS increase on their entire annuity, even where component service is involved..."

Reference: www.opm.gov
CSRS vs FERS, COLA,

For American Workers, 4 Key Retirement Issues to Watch in 2019

Title: For American Workers, 4 Key Retirement Issues to Watch in 2019

Article Snip: "...It’s going to be a busy year in Washington and state capitals for policymakers working to improve the retirement security of millions of Americans. Savings Plans, Saving One Million Pensions, Protecting Investors From Conflicted Advice, Expanding Social Security ..."

Reference: www.nytimes.com
Social Security, Pensions, Investing, Savings,

The Middle Class Retirement Nightmare

Title: The Middle Class Retirement Nightmare

Article Snip: "...Like a squirrel that hasn’t saved against approaching winter… 80% of American workers have under one year’s salary salted away for retirement. This we learn from a recent report issuing from the National Institute on Retirement Security..."

Reference: dailyreckoning.com
Middle Class Retirement

For first time ever, military's Tricare will have open enrollment similiar to civilian health insurance

Title: For first time ever, military's Tricare will have open enrollment similiar to civilian health insurance

Article Snip: "...For the first time, those using Tricare can take part in an open enrollment season akin to civilian healthcare, allowing users to change or keep their current plan. In addition, military retirees will no longer receive dental benefits through Tricare, but will be able to obtain..."

Reference: www.tampabay.com
Tricare, dental benefits through Tricare, Tricare Prime, dental and vision policy,

The Social Security Retirement Age Increases to 66.5 in 2019

Title: The Social Security Retirement Age Increases to 66.5 in 2019

Article Snip: "...Here's a look at how the retirement age is changing, and what this means for your retirement payments. An older Social Security full retirement age. The full retirement age used to be 65 for those born in 1937 or earlier. Those born between..."

Reference: usnews.com

More Reading: How the federal government makes sure you wont get much in Social Security. For example, the U.S. life expectancy for a white male in Alabama is 73.36 and the new Social Security age is 66.5. So if you are lucky enough to live until your are 73.36 you will collect Social Security for approximately 7 years. Now that's a real ponzi scheme!

What is 'Provisional Income'

Title: What is 'Provisional Income'

Article Snip: "...Provisional income is an IRS threshold above which social security income is taxable. The base, from §86 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), triggers taxability social security benefits requiring its inclusion in gross income tax payment on excess amounts..."

Reference: www.investopedia.com
Provisional Income,

What is considered "earned income" relative to social security benefits?

Title: What is considered income relative to social security benefits?

Article Snip: "...In general, the Social Security Administration defines “earned income” as “income from wages or net earnings from self-employment.” For example, earnings may include bonuses, commissions, and severance pay. Investment income, pensions, capital gains, and inheritances are not considered wages. Other types of payment made by an employer may be considered earnings under certain conditions..."

Reference: www.aarp.org
Social Security Earnings Limit, earned income,

Are Social Security Benefits Taxed?

Title: Are Social Security Benefits Taxed?

Article Snip: "...Some of you have to pay federal income taxes on your Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you..."

Reference: www.ssa.gov
Taxes on Social Security,

New legislation would improve retiree cost-of-living adjustments

Title: New legislation would improve retiree cost-of-living adjustments

Article Snip: "...Retired federal employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System currently can end up receiving a lower cost-of-living adjustment than retirees under the older Civil Service Retirement System, due to the legislation that created the FERS in 1986. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., introduced legislation Nov. 20 that would amend Title 5 of U.S. Code to ensure that COLAs for all retirees are equal..."

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
cost-of-living adjustments, Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS),

It Might Be Worse To Take Social Security At 66, Here's Why

Title: It Might Be Worse To Take Social Security At 66, Here's Why

Article Snip: "...it's extremely unlikely that benefit cuts would be visited on those already collecting benefits or on those about to start collecting in, say, the next decade. Roughly one fifth of the elderly subsists on Social Security and it's the main source of financial support for roughly half..."

Reference: www.forbes.com

Will LWOP usage harm my retirment compensation?

Title: Retirement benefits and LWOP

Excerpt Quoted from OPM.GOV: "An aggregate nonpay status of 6 months in any calendar year is creditable service. Coverage continues at no cost to the employee while in a nonpay status. When employees are in a nonpay status for only a portion of a pay period, their retirement deductions are adjusted in proportion to their basic pay (5 U.S.C. 8332 and 8411).

High-3 average salary computations are based on periods of creditable service. Thus, periods of nonpay status of 6 months or less in a calendar year that fall within an employee’s average salary period are included in the calculation of the average salary using the rate of basic pay in effect during the period of nonpay status. For example, if a full-time employee whose annual rate of basic pay is $85,000 per year is placed in nonpay status for 3 months, that 3-month period would be credited in the average salary calculation using the $85,000 basic pay rate. (If the rate of basic pay changed to $86,500 per year after 2 months of the nonpay period, the first 2 months of the nonpay period would be credited in the average salary calculation using the $85,000 basic pay rate and the last month of the nonpay period would be credited in the average salary calculation using the $86,500 basic pay rate.)"

Reference: www.opm.gov

NOTE: This information is accurate as of the date of this post: 11-12-2018. Bolding added for emphasis.

What It's Like to Live in Key West

Title: What It's Like to Live in Key West

Article Snip: "...On the southernmost point of the U.S., discover what it's like living on island time..."

Reference: www.greatamericancountry.com
Places to live or visit in retirement, travel,

Now You Can Save More for Retirement

Title: Now You Can Save More for Retirement

Article Snip: "...Good news for retirement savers: Starting in 2019, the IRS just raised the annual contribution for IRAs, the first increase since 2013. Those who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the Thrift Savings Plan for federal workers can now put aside more, too. It's also become easier to qualify for a Roth IRA, to have your contributions to a traditional IRA be tax-deductible and to claim the Saver's Credit. Here's a summary..."

Reference: www.investopedia.com
retirement savings,

Should I start drawing down my savings or claim Social Security early?

Title: Should I start drawing down my savings or claim Social Security early?

Article Snip: "...There are solid arguments to be made for both options. The argument in favor of claiming Social Security is that your retirement savings..."

Reference: www.usatoday.com

Were you called by a Social Security scammer? Feds issue warning

Title: Were you called by a Social Security scammer? Feds issue warning

Article Snip: "...The Feds issued a warning that scammers are spoofing a real, actual number used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to try to get personal information from people across the country. “Scammers are spoofing SSA’s 1-800 customer service number to try to get your personal information..."

Reference: wtop.com
Scams,

High-3 Average Salary

Title: High-3 Average Salary

Article Snip: "...Your “high-3” average pay is the highest average basic pay you earned during any 3 consecutive years of service. These three years are usually your final three years of service, but can be an earlier period, if your basic pay was higher during that period. Your basic pay is the basic salary you earn for your position. It includes increases to your salary for which retirement deductions are withheld, such as shift rates. It does not include payments for overtime, bonuses, etc. (If your total service was less than 3 years, your average salary was figured by averaging your basic pay during all of your periods of creditable Federal service)..."

Reference: www.opm.gov
High-3 Average Salary,

This information is correct as stated on 10/27/2018. Bold Face added.

Postponed or Deferred Federal Retirement

Title: Postponed or deferred

Article Snip: "...Most employees retire when they’ve reached the standard age and service requirements to receive an immediate unreduced annuity. If you are a CSRS employee, those are age 62 with 5 years of service, 60 with 20 or 55 with 30. If you are a FERS employee, they are..."

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Deferred Federal Retirement, Postponed Federal Retirement, CSRS, FERS,

COLA Shortchanges FERS Retirees

Title: COLA, Largest Since 2012 for CSRS Retirees and Social Security Recipients, Shortchanges FERS Retirees

Article Snip: "...Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of FERS retirees will be wondering why they are only receiving a 2 percent COLA when the relevant measure of consumer prices increased by 2.8 percent. That’s due to the bargain struck in Congress in the 1980s when FERS was created, which limits COLAs to 2 percent when consumer prices increase between 2 and 3 percent. But that was the wrong policy then, as it is now. It prevents FERS annuities from keeping up with inflation, which is the whole point of a COLA. It is past time for Congress to ensure FERS retirees receive a full COLA each year. “Retirees already receive COLAs that fail to represent how seniors spend their money. COLAs are currently based on the CPI-W..."

Reference: www.narfe.org
CSRS vs FERS, COLA,

Social Security COLA for 2019 will be 2.8 percent

Title: Social Security COLA for 2019 will be 2.8 percent

Article Snip: "...Social Security Administration announced Thursday that 63 million beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled workers and their eligible dependents and surviving family members, will receive a 2.8% increase in benefits next year, the largest annual cost-of-living adjustment since 2012..."

Reference: www.investmentnews.com
2019 Social Security COLA,

The "Worn Out Worker" Rule in Social Security Disability Claims

Title: The "Worn Out Worker" Rule in Social Security Disability Claims

Article Snip: "...The worn out worker rule makes it easier for those who've done many years of hard labor to get disability benefits..."

Reference: www.disabilitysecrets.com
'Worn Out Worker' Rule, social security, Disability,

Looking for an early retirement? Post videos on YouTube

Title: Looking for an early retirement? Post videos on YouTube

Article Snip: "...Inorder to earn money it is important that they attract a certain number of viewers or subscribers and then they must be approved for monitisation. Monitisation allows YouTube to display advertisements on or around your video and shares a portion of the revenue with the creator through Google's AdSense, the report said..."

Reference: bhaskar.com
Making money in retirement,

4 Things to Know About Your FERS Annuity

Title: 4 Things to Know About Your FERS Annuity

Article Snip: "...if you work until age 62 and retire with 20 or more years of service, the formula changes. Instead of getting 1% per year worked you will receive 1.1% per year worked. An extra 0.1% on 20 years of service will add an additional 2% to your high 3..."

Reference: www.fedsmith.com

Social Security recipients could see their biggest raise in years

Title: Social Security recipients could see their biggest raise in years: A Foolish Take

Article Snip: "...Over the past decade, Social Security has been pretty stingy in the COLAs it gives to retirees. But 2019 could be different. Early indications suggest Social Security benefits could go up by a greater amount than retirees and other participants have seen since 2012..."
Reference: www.usatoday.com
2019 Social Security COLA,

Increase Your FERS Retirement Percentage Computation With This Simple Trick

Title: What’s the Difference in the 1% and 1.1% FERS Annuity Computations?

Article Snip: "...there are two different computation factors that are used in computing the FERS annuity; 1% and 1.1%. What’s the difference between them..."

Reference: www.fedsmith.com
FERS,

Here's How Much Social Security Benefits Are by Age and Income Level

Title: Here's How Much Social Security Benefits Are by Age and Income Level

Article Snip: "...While there's no way for sure to know what your future Social Security benefit will be, this guide can help you get a ballpark idea..."

Reference: www.fool.com

What Is Ahead for the Nation's Aging Workforce?

Title: What Is Ahead for the Nation's Aging Workforce?

Article Snip: "...not only are older persons working more, but these older workers are also earning more than in previous years” said James Spletzer, Principal Economist at the Center for Economic Studies. “Inflation-adjusted average monthly earnings of persons aged 65 and older were $4,092 in 2015, which is substantially higher than the $2,276 statistic in 1994..."

Reference: www.census.gov
Aging Workforce and Employment,

A snapshot of the average Social Security beneficiary

Title: A snapshot of the average Social Security beneficiary

Article Snip: "...But what you may not know, given the program's broad reach, is what the average Social Security beneficiary looks like. Here are three metrics that'll help define the typical recipient. 1. Who is primarily receiving benefits?"

Reference: journaltimes.com

Warren Buffett’s favorite metric suggests some serious pain awaits investors

Title: Warren Buffett’s favorite metric suggests some serious pain awaits investors

Article Snip: "...One of those measures, in particular, has popped up on investor radars lately, and that’s the “Buffett indicator.” The Berkshire BRK.A, +3.02% boss called it “the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment.” If historical patterns hold true, a thrashing could be in store for complacent investors..."

Reference: www.marketwatch.com
Berkshire BRK.A

This Is Great News for Social Security's 2019 COLA

Title: This Is Great News for Social Security's 2019 COLA

Article Snip: "...while there are still a good two and a half months to go before definitively knowing what magnitude of raise to expect, signs are pointing to beneficiaries receiving their highest COLA since 2012..."

Reference: www.fool.com
2019 Social Security COLA,

Can a debt collector take my social security benefits?

Title: Savvy Senior: Can a debt collector take my social security benefits?

Article Snip: "...Whether your Social Security benefits are garnishable or not depends on whom you owe. Banks and other financial creditors, for example..."

Reference: www.heraldextra.com
Is Social Security garnishable?

37 States That Don't Tax Social Security Benefits

Title: 37 States That Don't Tax Social Security Benefits

Article Snip: "...Some retirees are surprised to learn that Social Security is taxable. The federal government taxes up to 85% of your benefits, depending on your income. Most states, however, exempt Social Security from state taxes. The list of 37 states that don’t tax Social Security..."

Reference: www.kiplinger.com
States That Don't Tax Social Security Benefits

How To Sign Up For Medicare: Who Should, Why, When

Title: How To Sign Up For Medicare: Who Should, Why, When

Article Snip: "...the biggest mistake that individuals can make under Medicare is not signing up for Parts A and B on a timely basis... The key date is four months before your 65th birthday. Here's how..."

Reference: www.investors.com
Medicare, Medicare part B,

The $1,800-a-year Medicare cost that surprises many retirees

Title: The $1,800-a-year Medicare cost that surprises many retirees

Article Snip: "...While Medicare Part B premiums are higher for folks with higher incomes, they will still cost the typical person $1,608 in 2018. Add in the deductible, and it’s $1,791 — before any out-of-pocket costs..."

Reference: www.aol.com