Money

I  am not able to get any help from the Experian Credit Monitoring company. I want to temporarily unfreeze my credit report so I can obtain a credit card. I am not able to login to their website - it says my user id or password is invalid. Their web site states I can have a text or phone call with a code sent to me. I tried by phone and did not get a call.  I got a text with a link to another website.  When I go to that website, it asks for my personal information.  When I enter what they requested, it says my information is invalid. I called the Experian help number 1-888-397-3742. I get a recording which is absolutely no help - your are directed to another website that also says my information is invalid.   I sent a certified letter 3 weeks ago to: Experian Customer Care, PO Box 9554, Allen TX 75013, explaining the problems.   Experian has not responded.Has anyone else ran into these problems ?  Has anyone found a way to get around these p

This bank is highly unethical. Specifically, once your account drops below $5,000, they start charging you $2.50/mo. You'll never know that they're doing that, unless you check your account, online. Think about that, before you compare their action to a "normal" bank account: You started this account long ago, when you had a high deductible, medical insurance policy. You were, rightfully so, taking a step to safeguard an amount of money that you felt would cover your medical expenses as you aged. Now, in your later years, your account is dwindling down, if you're paying off medical expenses with it. At some point, your account MUST drop below $5,000, if you're using it, and you cannot, legally, put more money into it, and take what you put in off your tax return, if you've got Medicare.  HSA Bank knows that, and just sits by waiting to start helping itself to your $30/yr. for its bogus service charge! I found out about the above, yesterday, and I found a totally free HSA

Should this rule be changed?  One of the new proposals for fixing the Social Security Trust Funds financial problems involves doing away with this provision. What it does in essence if that it STOP people who are filing for early retirement benefit to also file to get benefits for their children and wife, if she is applicable.  These are called auxilliary benefits and are applicable to Social Security Retirement and Social Security Disability benefits. I would continue to support the use of these auxilliary benefits for those who file for Retirement at their FRA and after and also for SSDI but they should be stopped for those filing for EARLY retirement benefits. The proposal is in Section 9 of this analysis from the SS Chief Actuary.SSA.gov- Steny Hoyer, Wendell Primus, 01/03/2025 - Estimates of the Financial Effects on Social Security of potential legislation to improve the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds 

FROM THE ARTICLE: 5 Ways AARP Is Fighting to Protect Social Security Right Now.We’re mobilizing our members, calling for answers and opposing harmful customer-service cuts. By Emily Paulin, AARP. Published March 26, 2025. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently unveiled big changes to how it will operate, announcing a plan to scrap many over-the-phone application services, make cuts to its workforce and close many of its regional offices.AARP is sending a clear message that Social Security must be protected. We’re taking action to ensure that all older Americans can safely access the benefits they have earned and get questions answered in the ways that are best for them. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2025/fighting-for-social-security-right-now.html

 I am almost 64 and so is my husband. He started drawing early retirement this past year. I am still working and am planning on waiting as long as possible to draw mine and mine is going to be significantly more than my husband's. I am so confused about a few things. Will him drawing early negatively impact what I will draw once I apply? Second, could he be drawing off mine since it's going to be a lot more than his? Third, someone told me I might be able to be drawing 50% of his now while I'm still working and then switch to mine when I get older. I would call to speak to someone at the SS office but it's about impossible to get through to someone. If anyone could offer any help, that would be great!

 Hi Everyone:  I hope somebody can clarify something I am confused about if you collect Social Security and   choose to work as well (before full retirement age).  I understand in 2025 if under the full retirement age you can earn 23,400 per year.  Does Social Security wait until the end of the year to see if you went over the amount before   reducing  benefits 1.00 for every 2.00 you earn?  I thought I saw something as a test that Social Security uses 1,950.00 as an earning limit per month.   Does that mean if you work 1 month say January 2025 and earn 2000.00 they are assuming you are making over the 23,400 for the year and start withholding money?  What if you earned nothing in January/February but made 2000.00 in March are they still assuming   you are going over (because it is more than 1,950.00)?   If the money is withheld do you get the funds once the year is over a

Do you compute and mail (electronic or regular) your Federal Tax Forms Every Year? Or do you only send them in IF you owe money or MORE money whichever the case? Yes, I do - I have no other choice - I normally do have to pay more.  

It took years and years and years for people to accumulate monies in their 401-k to get it all taken away in one day. Do we hear AARP speaking to this abomination? No, we don't.

FROM THE ARTICLE: The truth about its current status and options for boosting its future stability. By John Waggoner and Andy Markowitz, AARP. *** There are 249 Comments on the AARP website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published March 01, 2022.➡️ Updated March 26, 2025. ⬅️ For decades, financial advisers have used the metaphor of a three-legged stool to describe America’s retirement system: Late-life security, the thinking goes, rests on having a healthy pension from work, ample personal savings and a monthly Social Security payment.So much for that. Pensions that guarantee income for life have largely disappeared from private-sector workplaces, and too few Americans have accumulated a nest egg that can provide substantial monthly income throughout their retirement years. According to the Federal Reserve's most recent Survey of Consumer Finances, the median retirement savings for U.S. households ages 55 to 64 is $185,000. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: h

I am 64 years and have earned only 29 credits towards Social Security because I have spent much of my working life in Canada after marrying a Canadian. In 2024, I began earning US 1099 income (plus Canadian income in 2024) which will likely continue for several years. Would it be a good idea financially for me to make the social security deductions starting in 2024 for both employee and employer in order to reach 40 credits? How should I evaluate this decision? The repeal of the WEP clawback is a benefit to me because I have qualified for the Canadian equivalent of Social Security. Thanks!

I started receiving SS benefits at age 62 because of a job change.  My FRA is 66 1/2.  Over the 4.5 years of benefits, almost half of them (27 months to be exact) were withheld due to the earnings limit.  I am aware that, according to the SSA, I will receive the withheld benefits in the form of increased monthly payments starting at FRA. I am now 67 1/2 and have not received an increase in benefits. Multiple calls to the SSA have resulted in multiple answers as to when I will get the pay bump. The most legit one is that my status is "in process" and I should receive a "lump sum" (for the months since my FRA) plus a monthly increase in benefits going forward starting sometime this fall since they recalculate for this once per year (in July). Has anyone experienced a delay such as this?  I am trying to be patient but all the articles I read say the adjustment will be made "at FRA".  It's now almost a year later. 

We hear you loud and clear. AARP members are deeply concerned about Social Security, and we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting this vital program. Right now, we’re asking for three assurances: ✅ Social Security will make payments on time—just as it has for almost 90 years.✅ Claims will be processed on time and not backlogged for months.✅ Customer service will be a top priority. Forcing millions of Americans to jump through new hoops or drive hours to a local office is unacceptable. We’re fighting to ensure that Social Security remains strong, reliable, and accessible for everyone who relies on it. Learn more about what we’re doing to safeguard Social Security here: How AARP Is Fighting for Social Security Right Now AARP Darryl

My husband was forced to retire to due to Covid. We had always wanted to retire in the mountain region of Virginia. We are looking for a house on a few acres. Can anyone offer any advice or suggestions?

I have a feeling I'm going to still be waiting for months for my retirement approval letter, but I'm wondering in the meantime how close people's actual benefits were to the benefit estimate?  Trying to plan ahead...thanks for your time.

Just for information: The Social System is made up of (3) different programs.  Each of these has their own eligibility requirements and other rules to which the beneficiary has to comply to get these specific benefits. 1.  Social Security Old Age or Retirement Benefits - also includes SPOUSAL benefits - sometimes shortened to SSOA or SSR by certain government entities.2.  Survivors Benefits 3.  Social Security Disability Benefits - SSDI There is also another disability program that the Social Security Administration also oversees - The INDIVIDUAL Welfare based Supplemental Security Income program (SSI).  This is a disability program for those who are old (65), blind or disabled who are not eligible for Social Security benefits or who have not worked long enough to get a minimum benefit.  This also includes disabled children.  

The first time I called was at 3:00 PM I was put on hold until I was disconnected at 4:00 PM the closing time.The second time I called the recording says wait time is greater than 120 minutes,then they say hold times are greater than normal,then they tell me to call back at a later time,and then they disconnect the call. This is at 9:00 AM exactly. A year ago I went down to the local office. You take a number and wait about 1.5 hrs in a hard chair.I have a bad back and can’t sit for long periods in a chair. Right now I need my file, how do I obtain this information? Any advice is appreciated.

Just a question to ponder and to get some feedback on specific benefits:This is only for Social Security RETIREMENT benefits - not other type like Disability or Survivors.   Should a person be able to retire early at the age of 62 or before FRA get a bonus auxiliary retirement benefit if and because they have dependent children?  

FROM THE ARTICLE:What is the Windfall Elimination Provision? By Andy Markowitz and Phil Pruitt, AARP. *** There are 119 Comments on the AARP website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published October 10, 2018.➡️ Updated February 27, 2025. ⬅️ The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) was a formula that could reduce the size of your Social Security retirement or disability benefit if you also received a pension from a job in which you did not pay Social Security taxes. Congress voted in December 2024 to repeal the WEP, ending benefit cuts for those receiving such “non-covered” pensions.The repeal law, the Social Security Fairness Act, is retroactive to benefits paid for 2024, which means people previously subject to the WEP will receive a lump-sum repayment of the benefits withheld during that year. The Social Security Administration (SSA) says it expects to deliver the retroactive payments to most affected beneficiaries by the end of March 2025, with higher monthly benefits

Please contact your congressman for your district.  They will refer you to their website, or They will sent you an E-Mail with a letter which has an electronic form which you complete and send it back electronically via your E-mail. You may want to state: If you have not made any changes to your information in the past year.  If you have made changes state the changes.  State if you were born in the United States.  Those living in Riverside in Hemet or San Jacinto are in the 25th district, your congressman is Raul Ruiz.  His Hemet office's Number is 951-492-3575. I sincerely wish everyone the best. 

Read the article, TEN STATES THAT TAX GROCERIES IN 2025, and you will see ERROR AFTER ERROR in that article. A map is provided that shows which states charge taxes and which do not.  I live in North Carolina and they DO tax groceries....BUT NOT IF YOU READ THE AARP ARTICLE!!!! If you read the comment pages, North Carolina isn't the only state that TAXES GROCERIES the writers of the article overlooked. AARP does this time and again. They post articles, they don't vet the information, and usually it cost you and I money.  

I really can't decide.......... (1) The nation's stock market is tanking, destroying a pillar of many people's retirement structure. (2) There is run-away inflation, exacerbated by tariffs, reducing the value of your remaining money, again affecting one of the pillars of people's retirement structure. (3) The Social Security system is under attack even as it is underfunded to begin with, yet destroying another pillar of people's retirement structure. (4) The job market is steadily shrinking; yet destroying another pillar of some people's retirement structure. Here's what I can't decide...... Should my comments about our financial woes appear in the MONEY SECTION of AARP'S DISCUSSION BOARDS or should our financial woes appear in the SCAMS AND FRAUD SECTION of AARP'S DISCUSSION BOARDS. Your thoughts??????

Retiring in 2 years.  Going to be "snow birds" such that the majority of the year we can be near our kids in NH, but want to escape the long winters.  The question is where to we go for 3 to 4 months a year?  Lots of choices of course.  Suggestions?  

You (AARP) contribute to the negative attitude towards Social Security. Your reports like the one here - "The Future of Social Security" by Waggoner and Markowitz. They state “Any reform that’s politically feasible requires things that both parties hate,” says Reid Ribble, a former Republican congressman.Democrats don't hate the solutions. By writing that, without saying something, you perpetuate the falsehood that it's true.The parties are not the same. By you not defending the Democrats you perpetuate the myth that it's a real problem. It's not! Some of the potential solutions involve taxing the rich or expanding payments to the rich. John and Andy, quit defending the fake news from the right and be more honest in your reporting!

The bigger issue with SSA phone services is that it takes forever to pick up the line, so preserving a bad service isn’t the best goal for members. Depending on your location, the experience may vary. I had to visit the SSA office, then take a ticket, and wait for a live customer service consult.  Booking an appointment on-line doesn’t work where I live, and the phone method barely works.  So, preserving this poor service is not helping members.   If we want to help AARP members, survey them about SSA’s customer service, all over the country (since individual offices may vary in how they deliver service). 

Social Security says that you can apply for retirement benefit up to (4) months in advance of the the date you want benefits to start.   One CAUTION here:  If you are wanting to file for Retirement benefit and you want to start at age 62 - which is the earliest date you can file for Social Security Retirement benefits - you CANNOT apply before that (4) month period BECAUSE the system will look at you as not being able to file for Retirement benefits and will keep pulling up a form for a Disability claim.   So if you are filing for early (age 62) Retirement benefits - and you will be age 62 on July 15 - then you can only file for Retirement  benefits after March 15 - (4) months before you turn 62 and not before,