Like most boomers, I’m retired. My retirement is funded by (a) a 403b defined contribution plan, (b) Social Security and (c) personal savings. I waited until age 70 for SS benefits, to max those out. Not everyone is so fortunate. “How’s this for a somber retirement forecast: The typical American worker has less than $1,000 […]

A rerun of a S.S. commentary by Dale Coberly. “HOW TO PAY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY” was written by Dale Coberly and posted by Dan Crawford on Angry Bear September 9, 2010. Of course, Dan died as well as Bruce Webb, Dale retired from Angry Bear after doing years of excellent commentary, I have not talked […]

For years, Dale Coberly posted on AB about Social Security, separating myth from reality and reminding readers of the reality. Dale stopped posting here a while ago, so I’ll take up where he left off. I still see folks claiming that Congress “stole” Social Security, that SS is a Ponzi scheme and that SS is […]

I started taking Social Security in March, just after I turned 70. I was born in the mathematical middle of the baby boom. What does SS look like for my fellow boomers? “The average Social Security benefit for people at age 65 is $1,583 per month, according to the Social Security Administration. For men, the […]

My university offers tenured faculty over the age of 60 two retirement options: (1) a buyout, where the faculty gets a full year’s worth of salary and benefits in exchange for immediate retirement and (2) phased retirement, where the faculty can choose reduced salary (70%, 50% or 30%) with reduced responsibilities for up to five […]

I broke this comment by Deb Schultz (comments section “Traditional Medicare Open Enrollment is Now”) into three different segments to emphasize each part. Deb and I talked once before. I agree with her comments. It is worth reading so you understand the issues. Please read. ~~~~~~~ “Is this open season for Traditional Medicare available only […]

Still issues with Medicare Advantage plans being easy to use and similar to Traditional Medicare. One of the big issues is getting authorization for additional care. MA plans are meant to be profitable. Indeed, various organizations bid on providing care under Medicare Advantage. The they have to meet whatever their bidding targeted them. Denial of […]

If nothing is done, the Social Security Trust Fund will be depleted by ca. 2035 and projected retirement benefits will drop by ca. 20%. What are the alternatives? The favorite alternative on the right is to increase the normal retirement age to 70. “Increase the normal retirement age (NRA) 3 months per year for those […]

The AMAC Foundation is kind enough to allow Angry Bear to use its information from the Social Security Report: “Government Shutdown? Medicare and Social Security Benefits to Continue Uninterrupted.” Here is the latest of what will happen if the Gov shuts down. Washington, D.C. Democrats and Republicans seem to be headed for an impasse when […]

It is hard to imagine the cutting of the Social Security benefit is the only solution on the table. If anything, the difference in what is spent and what is needed can be mitigated by increases starting next year. This may not solve the issues 100%. It will lengthen the time before no Trust Fund […]