Money

FROM THE ARTICLE. At These Key Moments, AARP Stood Up for Social Security.Activating tens of millions of members has enabled the organization to tackle threats to benefits and services. By Deirdre Shesgreen, AARP. *** There is 1 comment on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published August 08, 2025. In early 2005, fresh off reelection, President George W. Bush went all in on his proposal to “fix” Social Security by allowing workers to divert the payroll taxes that fund the program into “personal retirement accounts.”In his State of the Union address that year, Bush said his plan would save Social Security for future generations by encouraging workers to invest that tax money in the stock market. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/times-aarp-fought-for-social-security.html

Discussion created on April 18, 2021.Stop by to read our comments and/or add a comment.We luv hearing from you!Lol, cute .gif of an old lady driving with her dog looking petrified is attached to this post!! 🤣😂 Poor furbaby. 😞  

 I'm seeing posts all over the internet about people waiting 2 , 3, 4 months after applying for SS Retirement Benefits. I had also waited over three months, web site always said processing. I finally called my local field office and asked them about my application, explaining it's been over three months with no updates. The lady at the field office asked me for my information, looked in her computer, then told me I would need to call another number to ask about my application. I asked her if I do call this number, will they be able to tell me where they are in the application or would they just tell me it's in processing... which I already know. The lady in my field office said "Well, I can tell you this, they haven't processed your application at all... even now with our delays, that doesn't sound right." She gave me a number to call to reach the person who had my application (NOT the regular SS Customer Service Nightmare Number), gave me a Unit Code and the name o

I had planned to start taking my Social Security benefits before my full retirement age in February 2026, but wanted to wait long enough to include two more final paychecks. My 2025 earnings were filed back in January, and I’ll have one last paycheck in late August. Both likely won’t be fully processed and credited by SSA until October or November, with any resulting change to my benefit probably not reflected until December at the earliest.One of those paychecks could rank among my top 7 earning years, so I thought it might help bump up my benefit. But after reviewing things with my accountant, we concluded that once you start collecting Social Security, any new contributions typically don’t change your benefit much—unless they replace a low year in your 35-year average. And even then, the increase is often modest.Based on my math, I’d need to live past 78 for the higher delayed benefit to catch up to the total amount I’d receive by starting earlier. So now I’m leaning toward starting

FROM THE ARTICLE. AARP Condemns U.S. Treasury Secretary’s Comments on Privatizing Social Security.And says it will fight any ‘back door’ efforts to privatize the program.By Emily Paulin, AARP. *** There are 27 comments on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published July 31, 2025. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the “Trump accounts” created for children in the recently passed federal tax and budget bill are a “back door for privatizing Social Security.” AARP condemned the secretary’s comment that same day and reinforced its strong opposition against any efforts to privatize Social Security.“President Trump has said that Social Security should be protected and strengthened, and his administration needs to be clear: Any form of Social Security privatization is unacceptable,” John Hishta, AARP’s senior vice president of campaigns, said in a statement issued on July 30. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/a

FROM THE ARTICLE. SSA Withdraws Proposed Restrictions on Some Phone Services.The move would have steered more than 3 million customers to field offices to verify identity. By Deirdre Shesgreen, AARP. *** There are 41 comments on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published July 29, 2025. Updated July 31, 2025. Social Security Administration (SSA) has withdrawn its plan to limit telephone access for four routine services, including reporting a change of address to the agency or getting a tax document.In a July 31 filing, the agency said it would make “modifications” to its initial proposal. That original plan would have required beneficiaries who call the agency’s help line for certain services to go to their online My Social Security account, generate a one-time security authorization PIN and relay it to a telephone agent to proceed. Those who do not have an account or are otherwise unable to do business online would have had to go to a local office to

FROM THE ARTICLE. Americans across age groups and party lines view the monthly payments as critical to retirement security. By Deirdre Shesgreen, AARP. *** There are 5 comments on AARP website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published July 22, 2025. As it nears its 90th birthday, Social Security remains overwhelmingly popular among U.S. adults across all age groups and political affiliations, according to a new AARP survey.Ninety-six percent of respondents characterized Social Security as an important program, and 74 percent rated it as one of the most important, up from 68 percent in 2020. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/social-security/ssa-trends-survey-90th-anniversary.html

What if there was a way to - help fix the financially ailing Social Security and Medicare Trust Fundsincrease a person’s reported earnings to get a bigger benefit when they get their Social Security benefits increase the money going to the government by income taxes - to reduce the debtIn one swoop, all of this could be taken care of - and it isn’t rocket science. All we have to do is get ride of one of the biggest (maybe even the biggest) tax expenditures we have had since WWII.   What is it, you may ask - Start taxing employer provided health insurance coverage as compensation (like wages)  - which it is! Thoughts?   

FROM THE ARTICLE. SSA to Introduce New Restrictions on Some Phone Services.Agency says move would steer more than 3 million customers to field offices to verify identity. By Deirdre Shesgreen, AARP. *** There are 3 comments on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published July 29, 2025. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is planning to limit telephone access for four routine services, including reporting a change of address to the agency or getting a tax document.The new rule would steer more than 3.4 million customers a year to local Social Security offices for services now fully available by phone, the SSA estimated in a July 18 regulatory filing. If approved by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, the change would take effect Aug. 18. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/social-security/ssa-new-phone-service-restrictions/

I'm turning 66 in September 2025, and will be 10 months away from my full retirement age. I started taking my retirement benefits in March, but have an opportunity to take a f/t job starting in January - 7 months before my full retirement age. I know the penalty would be $1 off my SS check for every $2 I earn, but my questions are:- does SS look at that new money earned as the amount earned after taxes or is my gross pay counted against my SS payment?- would the employer still be required to take SS payments out of my pay check even though I am retired?- once I hit that full retirement age, and the penalty of my f/t earnings on SS ends, do I get those removed funds from my SS payment over those 7 months back?  Thank you.

I keep seeing news headlines that say things like "Social Security’s New Retirement Age Shocks Future Retirees: Ends Traditional Age in 2026", "US Social Security Retirement Age Raised to 67 Starting 2026—What Does This Mean for You?" or "Social Security’s Full Retirement Age Just Went Up – Here’s How Much It Could Cost Seniors Starting 2025". These seem to make it sound like the current adminstration is changing things, which is 100% WRONG.The "Full retirement age", when you collect your full retirement amount, was 65 for many years. But, in 1983, Congress passed a law to gradually raise the age because people were living longer and were generally healthier at an older age. The law raised the full retirement age beginning with people born in 1938 or later. It was to gradually increase by a few months for every birth year, until it reached 67 for people born in 1960 and later, with an 11 yr hold when it reached 66.So the increase to 67 is NOT a new thing, it was decided on in 1983. Whe

I am considering retiring at somewhere between 59.5 and 62.  I am considering the possibility of part time work.  My full retirement age (FRA) is apparently at 67 and my maximum benefit would be at age 70.  I have not seen any  information saying this is not possible, but I feel like I am missing something. Is there any restriction or disadvantage to this approach? 

FROM THE ARTICLE. Is Now a Bad Time to Downsize?Consider these pros and cons before moving to a smaller home in today’s market. By Cameron Huddleston, AARP. Published July 23, 2025. Downsizing to a smaller home, condominium or apartment shortly before or in retirement can reduce your housing costs, free up cash and lessen the burden of home maintenance. But many older adults aren’t eager to move.A May survey by real estate company Redfin found that 1 in 3 boomers who own their homes say they’ll never sell. Another 30 percent said they don’t plan to sell within the next decade. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/downsize-home-in-retirement.html

FROM THE ARTICLE. Conceived when the labor force was overwhelmingly male, the program has evolved over 90 years to serve working women, wives and widows. By Martha C. White, AARP. Published July 21, 2025. Nine decades after being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Social Security has cemented its role as a pillar of retirement security, evolving from a Depression-era program focused on individual — and overwhelmingly male — workers to one designed to provide a financial backstop for families.This evolution reflects a shift in culture as much as bureaucracy. As the nation’s population and workforce became larger and more diverse, Social Security benefits became broader and more inclusive. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/social-security/women-and-ssa-benefits/

Something we all need to read and understand: "To amend title XVIII to reform the Medicare Advantage program." 

NO matter what age we are, handling our finances can be a challenge at times!!! [1] Do you have a budget? If yes, lol - do you stick to it? [2] What has/is helping you to keep your head above water each year? Hope to hear from you!!! Thanks,Nicole  🤑  (Budget & Savings Forum)

With all the recent changes to government programs like social security, I thought maybe it was time to start my social security form since I am eligible for max in 5 months.  I attempted to do what I could online only to hit a block when the site decided I was invalid.  So I made an appointment to speak to a human in person today and was told it was not working because I was applying too early.  It is a four month window so I was told to apply in August for a December start (first payment January).  Furthermore I was told that even if you apply 4 months ahead your application will sit until it is closer to that magic month.  And yet nowhere on this SS site did it suggest that the reason I could not get started was because I was applying too early.  Any ideas on this?

FROM THE ARTICLE: How Social Security and Medicare Transformed Aging in America.Two lifelines for older adults reach important milestones in 2025. By T.R. Reid, AARP. Published April 30, 2025. After a long career as an office manager in St. Louis, Debbie Haupt retired at age 60 so she could provide full-time care for her ailing husband. “I had been planning to work at least until 68, maybe 70,” she says, “but Parkinson’s had other ideas.”There was a problem, though: The Haupts hadn’t built up much of a retirement fund. “My 401(k) was tiny,” she laughs. “If I had eaten nothing but dog food, it would have lasted less than three years." USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/social-security/social-security-medicare-changed-aging/

My wife and I both work, I get medical coverage through my wife since she works for the government. This year in May I turn 65 but will still be working (as well as my wife). I am told that I can get Medicare Part A for free. Is that the case and are there benefits and or downsides to getting Medicare Part A with all this in mind? RT

FROM THE ARTICLE. AARP’s ‘Fraud Wars’ Episode 1: Judith Boivin Had $600,000 Stolen in an FBI Impostor Scam.She learned the hard way that no one is immune to today’s fraud criminals. By Ken Budd, AARP. Published July 11, 2025. By the time the scammers posing as law enforcement called Judith Boivin’s cellphone, they had researched their target well. They knew she’d worked as a registered nurse and a clinical social worker before becoming a licensed therapist. They knew she had worked in Belize to help children with HIV and had lived for three years in Mexico while she helped a priest establish a mission.“I’ve been a caregiver all my life in various forms and shapes,” says Boivin, 81, who lives in Rockville, Maryland. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-wars-fbi-impostor.html

FROM THE ARTICLE. 6 Hidden Costs of Moving in Retirement.Switching states for cheaper housing or lower taxes? Watch out for expenses that can eat into those savings. By Sharon Wu, AARP. Published July 09, 2025. You've spent years mapping out your ideal retirement relocation, envisioning life in a warmer climate, a coastal town or closer to family. Housing costs in your target destination look manageable, the lifestyle seems right and your move feels financially sound.But hidden expenses can turn a dream move into a nightmare. “People forget that costs like insurance, utilities and taxes vary widely and may offset savings” from cheaper housing or consumer goods, says Tyler Abney, a managing partner at Tidemark Financial Partners in San Diego. Those ongoing costs can strain your savings. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/retirement/hidden-costs-of-moving/

What rights does the members of a Home Owners Association have when the board members and management company violate HOA by-laws and state codes?

My sister passed away suddenly last August and her July benefit was deposited in her bank account a few days after she died. I knew Social Security would reverse the payment, which they did.  As soon as I had court documents naming me administrator of her estate I filed Form 1724 and sent Social Security the Form and all related legal documents (death certificate, court ordered letter of administration, proof of deposit and deposit reversal, etc.).  Social Security received the Form 1724 and legal documentation the first week of January 2025. Today is June 3, 2025 and the estate still hasn't received payment. I've called both the national Social Security customer service line and our local Social Security office and I'm told they have everything they need but the claim is still being "processed."  One rep blamed DOGE and said any claims related to a decedent are being scrutinized and delayed. I can't close the estate until I get this payment and don't know what more

 I have had two separate individuals use my home address fraudently as their own.  I believe they are doing this to claim residency.  I have received bank statements and insurance statements for them.  Neither has ever lived here (past or present). These are their names. Jose Rodriguez Jacques Skriletz I have reported this fraud to the United States Postal Service, FBI, and ReportFraud.Gov. if you experience something similar, you should do the same.  Having mail with an address if the first step in establishing residency.  Consequences of this to the rightful owner can be severe.  Please be aware!

I will be eligible to collect in March of next year. If I apply for benefits in December, when will I be able to get a benefit verification letter? Would it likely not be available until the end of March (just before the initial disbursement) or would it show up online earlier than that?