It’s one of the most significant financial decisions facing you as you approach retirement age. Should you claim your Social Security retirement benefits as early as possible (at age 62), delay until your full retirement age (FRA) – 67 if you were born in 1960 or later, or delay further, potentially to age 70? If […]
A National Social Security Advisor (NSSA) is a finance professional who has completed the educational requirements of the NSSA certification and specializes in providing advice related to social security. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recognizes the NSSA certification as an official designation. This article will define the National Social Security Advisor (NSSA) certification, why […]
Ask an Advisor: My husband passed away, and I am 63. I still work full-time and earn more than $21,300. For Social Security, do your earnings count minus your pretax health plan and your 401(k), or does it go by your actual earnings? – Maria Per the Social Security Administration (SSA), as a widow, you […]
My former husband died last year. We were married for over 10 years but ultimately divorced. I work full-time and have my own social security account, and pension with my employer. Am I entitled to apply for any survivor’s benefits from Social Security now, or are benefits only realized once I retire? I am 61 […]
Ask an Advisor: My wife passed away at 55 with 38 quarters of Social Security earnings. Can I collect survivor’s benefits when I retire? – Randy I’m sorry for your loss. The good news is that you may be eligible to receive survivor’s benefits from your late wife’s Social Security record. In order to qualify […]
I was married for 28 years before divorcing. I’m 60 now and never remarried. My Ex died 3 years ago when he was 65. Can I apply for widow(er) benefits now, and when I turn 67, switch to my own? I was the higher earner. – A.S. Choosing how to claim your Social Security benefits […]
I’m a 61-year-old widow. Can I collect Social Security on my work record at 62 and then switch to my husband’s at his full retirement of 72? – Wendy For widows and widowers with their own work history, there are some quirks that are important to know when it comes to Social Security retirement benefits […]
Ask an Advisor: I was married for well over 10 years, and now divorced for just over 2 years. Can I collect on my spouse’s Social Security even if they are not? – Anonymous As you may know, Social Security is a government-run program that provides financial support to retired and disabled individuals. The program […]
I’M SUPPOSED TO HAVE SET ASIDE HOW MUCH?! What the Millionaire Next Door’s “Wealth Equation” does well and where it’s less accurate How much should you have saved for retirement by now? Isn’t that something most of us would dearly love to know, so we can tell how well (or less well) we’ve done? The […]