Improper Social Security payments reach $1.1 billion

Improper Social Security payments reach .1 billion

zimmytws | iStock | Getty Images The Social Security Administration faces a “record-breaking backlog” of open cases, leading to approximately $1.1 billion in projected improper payments to beneficiaries, according to a new report from the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. The SSA OIG, which provides independent oversight of the agency’s programs and … Read more

Delaying Social Security even by months can boost retirement security

Delaying Social Security even by months can boost retirement security

Aj_watt | E+ | Getty Images A recent Social Security report showed a strong economy has helped the program. Still, Social Security’s trust funds may be depleted in the next decade, if no changes happen sooner. Many Americans have a misplaced worry that benefits will disappear. “The biggest myth about Social Security is that when … Read more

Women’s financial security worries and the 2024 presidential election

Women’s financial security worries and the 2024 presidential election

A voter casts her ballot in the Pennsylvania primary elections at the Rockledge Fire Company in Rockledge, Pennsylvania, May 17, 2022. Hannah Beier | Reuters Older women are the largest bloc of swing voters — and the biggest concern they have heading into the November election is their financial security, according to the AARP. Most … Read more

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink says 65 retirement age is too low. What experts say

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink says 65 retirement age is too low. What experts say

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink speaks during the New York Times DealBook Summit Nov. 30, 2022 in New York City.  Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images News | Getty Images The idea of raising the Social Security retirement age has one more fan: BlackRock Chairman and Chief Executive Larry Fink. “No one should have to work … Read more

How Social Security benefits may change under Republican, Democrat proposals

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

Social Security commissioner vows to end benefit ‘clawback cruelty’

Social Security commissioner vows to end benefit ‘clawback cruelty’

Former Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD), President Biden’s nominee to be the next Commissioner of Social Security, testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on November 02, 2023 in Washington, DC. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images Three months into his role as commissioner of the Social Security … Read more

Japan government pension fund explores bitcoin as investment

Japan government pension fund explores bitcoin as investment

A man walks past a poster that informs customers that bitcoin can be used in this shop in Tokyo on January 06, 2018.  Toru Yamanaka | Afp | Getty Images Japan’s government pension fund on Tuesday said it is requesting information on “illiquidity assets” such as bitcoin, as part of research into potential new investments. … Read more

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

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

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

Why Social Security beneficiaries may owe more taxes on benefits

Why Social Security beneficiaries may owe more taxes on benefits

Alistair Berg | Digitalvision | Getty Images A record 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment helped Social Security beneficiaries stave off the effects of inflation in 2023. But as they file their federal returns this tax season, they may be surprised to find more of their benefit income has been taxed. Capitol Hill lawmakers on both sides of … Read more