Americans worry changes to retirement system will upend their plans

Viewstock | View Stock | Getty Images Last year, Americans’ confidence that they would have enough money to live comfortably in retirement fell the most since the global financial crisis. New research shows both workers’ and retirees’ confidence has not recovered. But some signs of optimism have emerged, particularly as wage growth now outpaces inflation … Read more

Most retirees don’t delay Social Security benefits. Experts say it pays to wait

Sporrer/Rupp | Image Source | Getty Images The largest and final cohort of the baby boom generation — 30.4 million Americans — will turn 65 by 2030. And more than half of that group will rely primarily on Social Security for income, according to new research from the Alliance for Lifetime Income. When to claim … Read more

Americans think they need $1.46 million to retire. What experts say

Aleksandarnakic | E+ | Getty Images When it comes to retirement, Americans have a new number in mind — $1.46 million — for how much they think they will need to live comfortably, according to new research from Northwestern Mutual. That estimate is up 53% since 2020, when Americans said they would need $951,000, as … Read more

What Social Security beneficiaries need to know about overpayment policies

Mstudioimages | E+ | Getty Images Social Security beneficiaries who owe money to the Social Security Administration may see much lower default withholding rates from their monthly checks, thanks to new policies that are going into effect. As of March 25, the Social Security Administration will no longer collect 100% of a total monthly Social … Read more

Why gray divorce is a significant financial risk for women

Laylabird | E+ | Getty Images Breaking up in old age can be costly, especially for women. The rate of “gray divorce” — a term that describes divorce at age 50 and older — doubled from 1990 to 2019, according to a 2022 study published in The Journals of Gerontology. It tripled for adults over … Read more

How Social Security benefits may change under Republican, Democrat proposals

South_agency | E+ | Getty Images House Republicans unveiled a plan this week that calls for raising the Social Security retirement age. Meanwhile, Democrats and advocates for the program are ramping up their calls to tax the rich to enhance benefits. “On the right, there is a line in the sand against tax increases,” said … Read more

Why Social Security cost-of-living adjustment may be smaller in 2025

Peopleimages | Istock | Getty Images Early estimates for the 2025 Social Security COLA New government data points to a 2.4% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2025, The Senior Citizens League estimates, based on new government inflation data released this week. To be sure, that estimate is subject to change. The Social Security Administration typically … Read more

Where candidates stand on Social Security, Medicare

Former U.S. President Donald Trump watches a video of President Joe Biden playing during a rally for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) at the Miami-Dade Country Fair and Exposition on November 6, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty Images Former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden issued opposing … Read more

Biden says wealthy should pay ‘fair share’ to Social Security

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his third State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 7, 2024. Shawn Thew | Via Reuters President Joe Biden urged lawmakers to “stand up for seniors” in his annual State of the Union address on Thursday, while pledging to … Read more

Millionaires reach limit for Social Security payroll taxes for 2024

Ezra Bailey | Getty Images Most Americans can expect to pay Social Security payroll taxes throughout 2024. But for top earners with gross annual wage income of $1 million, March 2 marks the date at which they will stop paying into the program, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. The reason why … Read more