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Ask Bob: How do I estimate my spouse’s Social Security benefit?
ROBERT POWELL, CFP| September 14, 2021; Retirement Daily| On the Street A reader would like to determine what his wife’s benefit will be since she’s claiming on his work record. He claimed Social Security early – how does that impact...
Ask Bob: Is It Still Possible to File a Restricted Application and Claim Social Security Benefits From an Ex-spouse?
A reader wonders if he qualifies for a restricted application as well as an increased benefit from claiming Social Security under his ex-wife’s earnings record. ROBERT POWELL, CFP®| Apr 29, 2021 Question I live in Costa Rica. I’m 68 years...
Ask Bob: What Social Security Benefits are Available to the Widow and Children?
Retirement Daily| On The Street Robert Powell, CFP® | Oct 27, 2020 Question When a spouse passes on in his/her early years, the marriage was over 10 years and they have kids, can the widow utilize the Social Security survivor...
Social Security Planning Virtual Workshop On May 11, 2020 6PM-8PM PST
I will be presenting a Zoom virtual workshop on Social Security on May 11, 2020 from 6PM-8PM PST. We will discuss the basic rules of the Social Security system and ways that individuals and couples can use these rules to...
Social Security savviness still pays off
By Donald Jay Korn Financial-Planning.com December, 30 2016, 1∶22pm EST Not so long ago, Terry Prather was advising clients to submit restricted applications for Social Security retirement benefits. Similarly, Timothy Hayes was explaining the file-and-suspend plan to his clients. However,...
Breakeven Analysis and Timing the Start of Social Security Benefits
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor The decision as to when to begin taking Social Security retirement benefits is critical and greatly impacts the ultimate size of the benefit received. If you wait until your full retirement...
Unique Planning Opportunities Using Social Security Survivor Benefits
Wednesday, March 04, 2015 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor Most of us are aware that Social Security is at its core a retirement program whose purpose is to replace a portion of our career earnings once we are no longer...
Answers to Reader Social Security Questions
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor Here are some more reader questions on Social Security that I am sure many of you share. I hope you find my answers helpful. Q: If my husband works until he’s...
Women and Social Security
Wednesday, February 04, 2015 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor Social Security is a gender neutral system. Benefits are payable to any worker who qualifies as a result of their work history. In the case of married couples, either spouse can...
What People With Government Pensions Should Know About Social Security
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 | Joe Alfonso, GoLocalPDX Contributor As if the Social Security system weren’t complicated enough, additional complications arise for certain retirees receiving government or public sector pensions. These rules, known as the WEP, for Windfall Elimination Provision,...