Retirement Planning

A secure and stable retirement is a dream many in the work force look forward to, cling to even, as they get older. The earliest age you can retire and claim benefits is 62, according to the...

Spouses of workers who paid at least 40 quarters (or 10 years) of Social Security taxes are eligible for spousal benefits. These benefits are equal to half of what the person who paid into Social...

The United States government has made it easy to apply for your Social Security benefits. Most people can apply using the online form at the Social Security Administration's website. You can also...

According to the Social Security Administration direct deposit website, people receiving Social Security disability benefits can have payments electronically deposited into their bank accounts by...

If your spouse has died recently, you may be eligible for benefits from the Social Security Administration. You may qualify to receive a lump-sum death benefit as well as monthly payments....

Deciding on when to take your social security benefits can have significant financial implications for you and your spouse. This article will guide you on how to know when to take your social...

Much of our lives are spent working toward retirement. And as that time begins to near, it's natural to wonder what our "golden years" will be like. Trying to determine how much income you'll have...

Several factors can affect your Social Security retirement benefit amount. These include how long you have worked; whether you continue to work; how much you have earned; how much you have...

Once you have made Social Security contributions for approximately 10 years or more, you are eligible to receive reduced benefits at age 62. There are several routes you can take to begin the...

There are several ways to figure out what Social Security benefits you can expect when you retire. Social Security was started in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Social Security...

The decision to apply for early Social Security benefits is sometimes prompted by unexpected unemployment, sometimes by health issues that make continuing to work difficult or impossible, and...

Social Security benefits are available to retirees who are a minimum of 62 years old and have paid into the Social Security system while employed. Benefits are also available to survivors of a...

An important part of retirement planning is deciding when to begin taking Social Security benefits. While it may be appealing to take benefits as soon as you are eligible, delaying benefits may...

Social Security retirement benefits are an important factor in the retirement plans of many Americans. According to the United States Social Security Administration, benefits are available to...

Upon attaining age 65, American citizens and permanent residents who have worked for 10 or more years in Medicare-covered employment qualify for Medicare benefits. Changing from an HMO to Medicare...

Applicants for Social Security benefits are not always awarded full benefits. If you are disables, you must that you are incapable of physically performing in a job on a full time basis. You also...

According to the Social Security Administration, a divorcee is eligible to receive Social Security benefits from an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. The divorcee must...

According to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a person can request records and information from any United States Government agency. The Social Security Administration is the government...

According to the Social Security Administration, it is possible to receive Social Security benefits while working. People age 62 or above who are eligible for Social Security benefits may apply to...

According to the Social Security Administration, retirees that are eligible for Social Security benefits can start collecting these benefits between the ages of 62 and 67. The full retirement age,...

According to the Social Security Administration, retirees receiving income from sources in addition to Social Security benefits may have to pay taxes on these benefits. A retiree can have taxes...

The Social Security Administration provides a retirement benefit estimator for people who have earned sufficient Social Security credits. Credits are based on the number of years worked and the...

Whether you retire at age 62 or wait until you reach full retirement age, applying for social security benefits has never been easier. The Social Security Administration's online application...

According to the Social Security Administration, up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be taxable. The percentage of taxable Social Security benefits depends on the amount of retirement income...

The Social Security Administration can deny claims if certain qualification criteria are not met. The most common denial is of applications for disability benefits. According to the Social...

If you receive Social Security benefits, you can save yourself a trip to the bank by having your payments directly deposited to your bank account. Using direct deposit means that you won't have to...

If you receive a Social Security payment to which you are not entitled, you should not cash the check or deposit it into your bank account. When the Social Security Administration realizes that...

Your Social Security card is an important document; the card is usually required to register for school, open bank accounts and complete other financial tasks. The Social Security Administration...

When you can start receiving your Social Security depends on your age and verification that you have completed 40 quarters of qualifying work. Every year the Social Security Administration mails...

If your name has changed for any reason, it's important to notify the Social Security Administration as soon as possible and request a new Social Security card that reflects your correct name....

The government announced that there would be no Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, in January 2010. Because inflation may remain low for a while, this policy may extend to 2011...

Retirement benefits are computed by the Social Security Administration through a combination of taxation and total wages earned during a person's life. The amount of money paid into the system...

Even if you've never worked or paid into Social Security, you can collect on a spouse's benefits if you're 62 or older and were married for at least 10 years. This is true whether your spouse is...

Social Security is the U.S. federal government program that provides economic assistance to the unemployed, disabled and elderly. It is financed with mandatory contributions by employers and...

According to the Social Security Administration, most American workers receive Social Security benefits after retirement. Almost one-third of retirees receiving Social Security benefits are...

To be eligible for social security retirement benefits you must have at least 40 work credits, earned at a maximum rate of four per year of work. The amount of your benefit is determined by the 35...

Medicare provides health insurance to most Americans over age 65 as well as many disabled people. Most Americans who work at jobs that pay into Social Security eventually become eligible for Medicare.

Available through Social Security, Medicare is the United States' government-run health insurance program designed to assist both the disabled and people ages 65 and up with health care services...

The Social Security Adminstration provides death benefits to surviving family members, including former spouses, under certain circumstances. Whether you qualify for benefits on an ex-spouse's...

The golden years of retirement are something that most workers look forward to with a great deal of anticipation and high expectations. However, for some people, retirement is not all it's...

The Social Security program provides retirees and the disabled with income after retiring or to persons unable to work. The program is administered by the United States government, which keeps...

The Social Security Administration issues disability benefits through two programs: Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Insurance. In order to qualify for Social Security...

Since Social Security was established under the New Deal in 1935, millions of Americans have depended on its benefits to live out their retirement years comfortably and in good health. However,...

Individuals and organizations are of different opinions as to whether Social Security is safe. While the system is in place, it relies heavily on the payments from current workers for older...

There are a number of reasons for the Social Security benefits system to be cut off. Proponents of the measure have suggested all types of solutions, including a staggered approach to an all-out...

Every year, millions of Americans apply for Social Security benefits. Most workers nearing the retirement age (currently 62) can apply for benefits three months before they want to start receiving...

The Social Security Administration determines how much money you will receive as your benefit either for retirement or medical disability. If you disagree with the amount, or feel that your...

The Social Security Act was passed in 1935 and was designed to provide a continued source of income to people over age 65. To pay for it, a payroll tax was implemented. The money was used to pay...

There are a few programs that give financial assistance to the elderly, retired or disabled U.S. citizens. For instance, Supplemental Social Security, or SSI, is granted to qualified individuals...

Social Security has come quite a long way since it's first recipient received over $25,000 from an initial investment of less than $500. This is the first year, because of the budget crises, that...