Bill to eliminate Social Security GPO, WEP rules gets closer to a vote

Bill to eliminate Social Security GPO, WEP rules gets closer to a vote

Cavan Images | Cavan | Getty Images House lawmakers in Washington have the signatures they need to force a vote on a bill to eliminate rules that reduce Social Security benefits for certain retirees who also receive pension income. On Thursday morning, Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Garret Graves, R-La., marked the 206 signatures a … Read more

Great wealth transfer or retirement savings crisis? It can be both

Great wealth transfer or retirement savings crisis? It can be both

Ascentxmedia | E+ | Getty Images It can feel like the U.S. economy has divided consumers into groups of haves and have nots — and retirees are no exception. Research has found a great wealth transfer is underway, with research and consulting firm Cerulli Associates estimating an $84 trillion to shift from older to younger … Read more

Why people don’t wait to claim Social Security and what experts say

Why people don’t wait to claim Social Security and what experts say

Alessandro Biascioli | Istock | Getty Images When it comes to claiming Social Security retirement benefits, experts agree it’s generally best to delay. Yet many people still claim early — either at the earliest possible age of 62 or before their full retirement age. Those early claims result in reduced Social Security benefits for life. … Read more

Your financial advisor may not be giving good advice

Your financial advisor may not be giving good advice

Ascentxmedia | E+ | Getty Images Many people claim Social Security retirement benefits at the earliest possible claiming age of 62. But that decision prompts their monthly benefits to be reduced for the rest of their lives. Working with a financial advisor should help encourage prospective beneficiaries to understand the value of delaying their benefit … Read more

41% of near retirees failed it

41% of near retirees failed it

Eclipse_images | E+ | Getty Images Many near retirees expect Social Security to be their largest source of income when they stop working. Yet, those who are on the brink of their so-called golden years fall short when it comes to knowledge about the program’s rules and what they can personally expect, according to a … Read more

Here’s what happens to your Social Security benefits when you die

Here’s what happens to your Social Security benefits when you die

Tanya Constantine | Getty Images Once you start Social Security retirement benefits, you are generally guaranteed to receive monthly checks for life. But that will stop once you die — with some exceptions for your loved ones. A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 may be available, provided your survivors meet certain requirements. For example, … Read more