Money

FROM THE ARTICLE. CEO, members call on Congress to protect and strengthen Social Security for today’s beneficiaries and generations to come. By Deirdre van Dyk, AARP. Published September 26, 2025. To mark this year’s 90th anniversary of Social Security, AARP has held hundreds of events and activities around the country and engaged millions of older Americans.In Maine, AARP volunteers joined Gov. Janet Mills as she signed a proclamation honoring Social Security. In Iowa, they offered games and giveaways at the state fair to educate their neighbors about the importance of Social Security. In Wisconsin, they celebrated with baseball fans, handing out slices of birthday cake at a minor-league game. USE ARTICLE BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/ssa-90th-anniversary-town-hall/

FROM THE ARTICLE. By David John, AARP Public Policy Institute. Published September 26, 2025. About half of private sector workers, many of whom work for smaller employers, lack access to payroll deductions for retirement savings. State Auto IRAs are structured to meet the needs and concerns of smaller businesses and others that don’t offer a retirement benefit.Auto IRA Plus would create a network of 50 state Auto IRA savings programs. Federal legislation would require all 50 programs to have the same basic structure and meet certain standards, but individual states could tailor their program to meet the specific needs of their economy. If a state chooses not to have its own Auto IRA, it could allow another state’s to serve their businesses. Employers could choose to either offer a 401(k)-type plan or allow their workers to use the state Auto IRA. https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/work-finances-retirement/financial-security-retirement/auto-ira-plus-universal-retirement-savi

Top story in AARP this month is a full spread on pain management, with scant mention of shortfalls to Social Security and Medicare - they garner only the barest mention on the bottom of page four?? A story on entering Sweepstakes gets more comprehensive coverage?Threats to seniors' well-being are numerous, food insecurity, housing, care, funding cuts to senior programs; the gutting of research for diseases and health issues directly affecting many of us?In a time when current Department of Health and Human Services spewing vaccine quackery? We deserve better, more thorough coverage of things that affect us and that matter.What happens in Washington matters. PLEASE AARP, pull your head out of the sand and report on the stories that affect us.

Discussion with National Council on Aging President and CEO,  Ramsey Alwin - Read transcript or watch/listen  CSPAN - Washington Journal 09/20/2025 - Poverty Rate Increasing Among Older Adults - a Social Security and other government helping program discussion. Interesting discussion but it brings to my mind just how many older Americans have wrong views on how the program works and a lot of misinformation about Social Security - all of it - from how it works to benefits and solutions to the insolvency problem the program is facing in the next several years. I just want to ask some of them - where did you come up with that notion?     

FROM THE ARTICLE. SSA handles enrollment, collects premiums for many Medicare beneficiaries. 6-minute read. By Andy Markowitz, AARP.Reviewed by Jammie Lyell, M.S.Published September 16, 2025 Key takeaways![*] Social Security manages Medicare enrollment.[*] Oftentimes you need to apply for Medicare yourself.[*] Many pay Medicare premiums through Social Security.[*] Social Security and Medicare have a historical connection.[*] Social Security manages SSDI and SSI, too. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/social-security/retirement/works-with-medicare/

 In 2013 my husband and I qualified for the HARP loan modification through Citimortgage. $156,000 was deferred until 2036, while we started paying on $76,000 monthly until then. The following year, our state's "Hardest Hit Fund" applied $50,000 to that $76,000, and in 2016, Citimortgage applied another $5,000 for "good behavior" in paying on our loan. Therefore, this first loan of $76,000 will be paid off early. Fast forward to today: May 1 was to be our final loan payment on the $76,000. Our contract with Citimortgage says, "$156,000 shall be deferred and I will not pay interest or make monthly payments on this amount." Today I was speaking with a Citimortgage MANAGER no less, and first she told me she never heard of HARP and that Citimortgage never had any such program, even though Citimortgage's logo is on everything and signed by them. She said we must continue making monthly payments even though the first mortgage will be paid in a couple of weeks or we must order a Payo

I would first make sure that when you say "Mortgage paid for a year", that it is the Principal that is paid for a year. Then I would put some of the money towards the Interest of the Mortgage and then I would pay off my high interest rate credit cards and cut them up. But with whatever is left I would stock my freezer with meat and my cabinets with canned goods.

For those who are deducting interest on loans covering vacation/second homes and RVs considered vacation/second homes, have you noticed that the proposed tax changes would eliminate the deductibility of interest on those? This applies to loans already in existence and those acquired in the future. No grandfathering here. However, if you rent out your second home and are considered a landlord who can deduct all expenses associated with rentals, then interest expenses will apply, as I read the text anyway. The proposed tax change would recognize only one residence to be eligible for mortgage interest deduction. This confuses me a bit as this would appear to be contrary legislation for the very wealthy but then they are likely to own/lease through corporate structures of one sort or another that will not be impacted by this particular change.  

Did you notice the "operational  compliance fee" increased 75% on your recent Consumer Cellular bill.  There was no notice or substantiation.  No wonder they provide an AARP discount since they just make it up in this bogus fee.

  Situation:  My dad has two brokerage accounts, one managed and one unmanaged.   Although he had been meeting with someone on his managed account, should that person alert my dad to any perceived issues with his unmanaged account?  I am asking because once my dad ran out of cash in his unmanaged account.  He unknowingly started borrowing against the funds in that account to recevied his monthly allotment.  Outside of reporting that person to his manager is there anything else my dad can do? 

AARP-Washington State Members speak about their reliance on Social Security 

When I turned age 50 in 1996, I read that President Clinton also turned 50 the same month, and he bought a one-year membership in AARP.  I chuckled at the notion that he turned down the upgrade to a Lifetime AARP membership for only $59.00 and chose to pay the annual membership each year. The AARP Lifetime Membership has served my wife and I well over the last 19+ years because of the additional cash-off discounts, free printed newsletter, free printed magazine, and other great topics. For those who wish to upgrade their AARP annual membership to a Lifetime membership, the current amount is $200 and can only be requested by calling AARP at 800-566-0242 .  Or, perhaps you can encourage your children to sign up so they get more years out of it. All my best, and be safe. 

Good day, allToday my husband was at work and received a call with the name of the company he works for as the caller. Turns out it's a scam where the caller is representing that they are calling from Publisher's Clearing House and he just won $6 milliion dollars.  My husband was taken aback because the caller ID was showing someone calling from within the company. He knew immediately that it was a scam and he started smiling. The caller wanted to meet somewhere and that really got my husband's attention. The caller asked him why he was smiling and my husband asked the caller how did he know. The caller told him that he could see him.  This was a call on his cell phone.  My husband told the caller that he was smiling because he knew from the beginning that he doesn't even participate in PCH and why would he have to meet with him and his crew at all . Before he hung up he told the caller that this is a scam.  Has anyone else experienced a call like this?

Hello, I need help decoding a “letter of intent” I signed to give insurance money to a roofer. Can I ask here or is there another place? Ugh, I know, why did I sign it in the first place?  Sorry, long post! The company has an A+ rating with the BBB, excellent reviews (from people with new roofs paid for by insurance) and they’re rated 2nd best in the area, down a notch from last year. They sounded legit, and they knew all the buzz words like “flashing” and “mold remediation”. I’ve never made a claim on a homeowner policy and this is my 3rd home. But, the roofer with 2 public adjusters, a necessity they claimed, assured me insurance would pay for the damages because I had a claim. These roofers likely knew my insurance wouldn’t cover the replacement given the roof’s age. However they warned me against calling my carrier saying they’ll cancel my policy. That felt so scammy to me. But, They claimed that was happening to people and sent me hour+ long videos of Congress

Is anyone working on getting Congress to raise the $25000 income threshold on taxing SS? If it had kept up with inflation, it would be over $50,000 today and not affect more than 50% of SS recipients.

 I started an online application, for SS Retirement Benefits and now the Protective Filing Date, set to 6 months from the start of the application is approaching, but I cannot choice a benefit start date any earlier then 4 months ahead. The question is if the Protective Filing Date passes will my Retirement Benefits be affected or will I just have to resubmit an application?

Hello Everyone! Since going on the Retirement Social Security in 2020, I now "pay attention" to the media coverage saying it will not be around. I THINK the last news article (senior moment/lol 😂🤣) said program would be out of money by 2035. Yikes! 😱 Any opinions? Thanks,Nicole 🙂

With the 6000.00 tax break for seniors should I convert 6000.00 from my traditional IRA to my Roth IRA

FROM THE ARTICLE. Social Security Goes Up in Lights as AARP Takes Over Times Square.To celebrate the program’s 90th anniversary, AARP rolled through New York City with a clear message for U.S. lawmakers: Keep it strong, safe and solvent. By Emily Paulin, AARP. *** There are 2 comments on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published August 15, 2025. As the sun began its daily drop behind Manhattan’s skyline, a red double-decker bus rolled Thursday into the heart of Times Square, parking between two of the biggest and brightest billboards.On those billboards, gold coins appeared to fall from the sky before landing in a shiny, larger-than-life piggy bank representing Social Security contributions. Meanwhile, from the upper deck of the bus, roughly 50 Social Security recipients wearing bright red shirts and waving sparkly red pom-poms chanted, “We earned it! We earned it!” as a crowd of onlookers stopped, smiled and waved. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE A

    I just wanted to share an article that I read this morning : https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-funding-reform-seniors-consider-options-2103944      ~ Lisa 🌈🙋💰🤔

I accidently put "never married" when i applied my benefit last year.I thought i was going to divorce but not anymore.How can i change the marital status on SSA?

  If Consumer Cellular is not on the FRAUD LIST, they should be.Check your bill people,they have changed your plan without notice,they are also now adding a $5 charge if you do not sign up for direct pay, again with no notice,(even if you have never ever been late to pay)if you go over their "DATA LIMITS" (another rip off btw, nothing but a money grab) they move you to a more expensive plan ... but will not move you back to your previous plan even if it was a one timer, if you do not personally do it you keep paying the new higher rate.I am sure there is a serious amount of money that AARP receives from Consumer Cellular,but AARP,  if you say you advocate for seniors don't be a hypocrite, they are so dirty and literally taking money by the handful from people. I feel SO much better since I cancelled them!AARP you won't cut them loose, so I will not be renewing.Geo 

Horrible company. They advertise $55 for 2 lines for AARP members. I was told taxes & fees are included in that amount. But I received a bill for $70.63. When I called they said 15.63 is for taxes & fees.I cancelled my account. It was 4 days into new month & they are telling me that I have to pay for the full month even though I am no longer using their plan! No pro rate billing. FTC should look into this & stop their robbery. AARP should stop sponcering them.

FROM THE ARTICLE. Unraveling the Rush: Why Americans Are Claiming Social Security Early. By Bryan Miller, AARP Research. Published August 13, 2025. The Urban Institute’s recent analysis of Social Security Administration (SSA) data found that more Americans are filing early for their retirement payments in 2025 compared with 2024. While early claiming (claiming Social Security retirement payments before reaching the full retirement age of 67) may be the right decision for some, it reduces the monthly payment and can result in lower lifetime payments for many retirees. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/work-finances-retirement/social-security/social-security-early-claims/

I am currently 72. My FRA was 66. I'm receiving SS benefits. I retired at 67 and 5 months. My wife is currently 61. She is a legal permanent resident and has never worked in the US. She is not disabled nor has ever been. She has never received any US benefits. When I die, and assuming my wife has reached her FRA, is she eligible to receive 100% of the benefit I was receiving, including all the COLAs I've received? Or, does she receive 100% of the basic retirement benefit I would have received at my FRA?