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Decoding Social Security 'Claim' Numbers Jun. 21, 2023
Q: I am a 78-year-old recent widow. I got my own Social Security number when I was about 20. But sin... Read More
The Miserly Social Security Death Benefit Jun. 14, 2023
About a month ago, I wrote a column explaining what family members need to do when a loved one who w... Read More
My 'Ivory Tower' Is in the Basement of a Suburban Split-Level Jun. 07, 2023
I got an interesting email (actually, it was more like a rant) from a guy who was upset about an enc... Read More
I'm Dead. Now What? May. 24, 2023
Gosh, I hate getting old! Even though my wife and I are relatively fit, when you're in your late 70s... Read More
Social Security for Younger Retirees May. 17, 2023
Conventional wisdom has it that to get the most out of your Social Security, you should wait as long... Read More
How to Not Be Grumpy May. 12, 2023
Do you remember the 1993 hit movie "Grumpy Old Men"? It starred Jack Lemmon, who was 68 at the time,... Read More
Your Social Security Payments Outside the US May. 10, 2023
As I write this, my wife and I are about to leave on a one-month trip to England. This has been one ... Read More
To the Baby Boomers: Something Wicked This Way Comes May. 09, 2023
Being cooped up in a New England house this time of year isn't fun. It's all rain, mud and washed-ou... Read More
Little Green Martians and Social Security Apr. 26, 2023
I was looking through some old columns of mine and I found one from about 15 years ago with an intri... Read More
The SSN: A History Lesson Apr. 19, 2023
Regular readers of my column know that I try to avoid the use of Social Security jargon, abbreviatio... Read More
Common Social Security Questions Apr. 12, 2023
Well, it's been a strange week. My inbox is normally crammed with emails from readers. But this week... Read More
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
Psych Yourself Up Mar. 31, 2023
Unless you are blessed with superior, Zen-like mind control, you have probably noticed an unwelcome ... Read More
How Happy Are You? Mar. 24, 2023
I've always liked this quote from Abraham Lincoln, who was known to suffer from major bouts of depre... 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
Bonus Benefits of Dance Feb. 24, 2023
For those of us old enough to remember the popular TV program "American Bandstand," dancing has alwa... 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
