Social Security Articles
Practical explainers and guidance for social security decisions.
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Why Medicare Choices Are Really Risk-Sharing Choices
Medicare decisions are not only about premiums. Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D, Medigap, networks, referrals, drug coverage, and out-of-pocket exposure all divide risk differently.
Wealth & Estate
Why Family Money Conversations Get Harder When You Wait
Family money conversations are easier before a crisis. Waiting can leave siblings, parents, spouses, and adult children trying to make financial decisions while emotions are already high.
Retirement
The Psychology of Spending Down in Retirement
Retirement spending can feel harder than retirement saving because the money finally has to leave the account. A good income plan helps turn savings into permission, not panic.
Retirement
How Should Couples Coordinate Social Security Claiming?
For couples, Social Security claiming is usually not two separate filing decisions. The stronger plan often comes from looking at the household together, especially how one spouse's claiming choice can affect spousal benefits now and survivor income later.
Retirement
When Should You Claim Social Security?
Claiming Social Security at 62, full retirement age, or 70 changes your monthly check for life. The best age depends less on finding one perfect rule and more on your health, cash-flow needs, work plans, spouse or survivor considerations, and how the rest of retirement income fits together.
Retirement
How to Coordinate Social Security With Portfolio Withdrawals
Social Security claiming and portfolio withdrawals should be planned together. The right coordination depends on cash-flow needs, claiming age, taxes, survivor benefits, Medicare premiums, Roth conversion windows, and how much pressure the portfolio can safely carry.
Retirement
When Is Social Security Taxable?
Social Security is not always tax free. Under current federal rules, part of your retirement, survivor, or disability benefits may become taxable when your other income is high enough. The practical question is usually not whether the check exists, but how the rest of your income changes what portion of that check gets pulled into taxable income.
Retirement
Will Your Taxes Be Lower in Retirement?
Taxes can be lower in retirement, but they are not automatically lower. Traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, RMDs, pensions, Social Security taxation, taxable investments, Roth income, filing status changes, and state taxes can all change the answer.
Retirement
How Does Remarriage Affect Social Security After Divorce or Widowhood?
Remarriage can change Social Security in very different ways depending on whether you are looking at divorced-spouse benefits on a living ex's record or survivor benefits after a spouse or ex-spouse has died. The key is knowing which branch you are in before you assume remarriage automatically ends every option.
Retirement
Can You Work While Collecting Social Security?
Yes, you can work while collecting Social Security retirement benefits. The main question is not whether work is allowed. The real question is whether your age, earnings, and filing timing mean the earnings test could reduce current checks before full retirement age.
Retirement
Can You Get Survivor Benefits From an Ex-Spouse?
Yes, in some cases you can receive Social Security survivor benefits from an ex-spouse's record. The main questions are usually whether the marriage lasted at least 10 years, whether the ex-spouse has died, your age or disability status, and whether remarriage changes the rule.
Retirement
Can You Claim Social Security on an Ex-Spouse's Record?
Yes, in some cases you can claim Social Security on an ex-spouse's record. The core questions are usually whether the marriage lasted at least 10 years, whether you are currently unmarried, whether your own benefit is smaller, and whether the ex-spouse is already entitled or the divorce has been final long enough.
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