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Social Security Rules for Federal Government Employees Apr. 05, 2023
I've commented before how surprised I am that a high percentage of emails I get come from the relati... Read More
Change Is Nothing New to Social Security Mar. 15, 2023
I continually remind my readers that they shouldn't worry too much when they read or hear reports of... Read More
Disability Benefits for Senior Citizens Mar. 08, 2023
Many older folks are asking me about getting disability benefits from Social Security. I'll offer so... Read More
More Questionable Advice From the SSA Mar. 01, 2023
I hate writing columns that are critical of some of my former colleagues who are still working for t... Read More
If You Mess Up, Don't Blame the Government Feb. 22, 2023
Sometimes people will write to me complaining that the government, specifically the Social Security ... Read More
An Unusual Morning Mailbag Feb. 15, 2023
Most mornings, I sit down at my computer and open my emails. I find many of the same questions I've ... Read More
How Retirement Benefits Are Figured Feb. 08, 2023
After doing this column for so many years (more than a quarter century now), I've learned there are ... Read More
Message to Homemakers: Building Up Your Own Social Security Might Not Be Worth It Feb. 01, 2023
I will occasionally get questions, almost always from women who spent much of their adult life as ho... Read More
Columnist Turns a Molehill Into a Mountain Jan. 25, 2023
Several readers shared with me a story that ran in many newspapers around the country headlined: "So... Read More
The Problems With Running a Disability Program Jan. 18, 2023
Several readers recently sent me copies of a news story that appeared in papers around the country. ... Read More
Be Prepared Jan. 11, 2023
I got an email from a woman who had recently filed for widow's benefits. She was writing to tell me ... Read More
Turning Full Retirement Age in 2023? Consider Filing for Benefits This Month Jan. 04, 2023
I write a column like this one every January, but I don't mind plagiarizing myself because it contai... Read More
Social Security Update for 2023 Dec. 28, 2022
It has been my custom for most of the past 25 years to write a year-end column that summarizes the S... Read More
Agency Puts Lump of Coal in Seniors' Stockings Dec. 21, 2022
Just last week, I wrote a column in which I passed along my ideas for a holiday gift for senior citi... Read More
My Holiday Gift Ideas for You Dec. 14, 2022
My holiday gift guide doesn't include a box of chocolates or tickets for a Caribbean cruise. This is... Read More
Reduced Benefits Explained Nov. 30, 2022
Before I start today's column — a word of warning. It's going to involve a lot of messy math, ... Read More
Give Thanks for Social Security Nov. 23, 2022
Around this year's Thanksgiving holiday, I'm going to suggest that we Americans give thanks for the ... Read More
Happy Birthday, SSI! Nov. 16, 2022
I was playing one of my morning online word puzzles when up popped a little blurb from a senior citi... Read More
Don't Overthink Social Security Starting Date Questions Nov. 09, 2022
I frequently get emails from readers who turn a little molehill of an issue into a big mountain of a... Read More
Rules I Can't Explain Nov. 02, 2022
I really get upset when readers tell me that they talked to a Social Security Administration employe... Read More
