Social Security

New rule bars Social Security retirement benefits for Americans lacking 40 work credits, potentially cutting off thousands this year. In a swift policy shift, the federal government announced that any future pension application will be rejected unless the claimant proves at least a decade of covered employment — equal to 40 Social Security work credits. The move … Read more

Lawmakers weigh a $6,000 bonus deduction and a disputed SALT cap as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Senate is fine‑tuning its version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and millions of retirees are watching closely. The chamber’s draft would boost the temporary senior deduction to $6,000—up from the House’s $4,000—while freezing the state‑and‑local tax (SALT) cap at $10,000. If … Read more

The sudden fall‑out raises privacy alarms and clouds the future of 73 million monthly payments. A surprise resignation at the Social Security Administration (SSA) lays bare a dispute over granting Elon Musk’s advisers access to confidential beneficiary files, raising fresh questions about who controls America’s most sensitive retirement data. The abrupt exit of acting commissioner Michelle … Read more

A looming shortfall threatens the checks of 70 million recipients; Congress holds the keys to a fix. Social Security’s latest trustees report warns that, absent action, the program’s main trust fund will run dry in 2035, forcing automatic cuts that would trim monthly benefits to roughly 80 percent of today’s promised amounts. That prospect matters to everyone … Read more

Millions who thought 65 was the magic number now face a new timetable for claiming their full benefit. Turning 65 is no longer the golden ticket to a 100 percent Social Security check. Starting July 2025, the year you were born—not just your age—sets the pace for full benefits and could even affect the size of the … Read more

From Massachusetts’ $823 weekly cap to Mississippi’s $235, here’s what jobless workers need to know about eligibility, paperwork and timelines this year. In 2025, unemployment insurance—funded jointly by states and the federal government—remains the safety net for workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Rules are set in Washington, but every … Read more

New projections show the program could pay only 78 percent of promised benefits within nine years—leaving millions to fill a painful income gap. The Social Security Board of Trustees’ 2025 report lands like a thunderclap: by 2034, the combined Old‑Age and Disability Insurance trust funds will hit zero. After that, incoming payroll taxes would cover roughly … Read more

Direct‐deposit alert for millions of Supplemental Security Income recipients next month. Millions of older adults, people with disabilities and low‑income Americans depend on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to keep the lights on and the fridge stocked. Next month’s payment date matters—and it’s straightforward once you know the rule. July’s SSI benefit, worth up to $967, will … Read more

New analysis shows delaying benefits boosts lifetime income for many Americans, but timing still hinges on individual health and finances. Millions of retirees rely on Social Security as their financial backbone, so choosing when to claim matters. The Social Security Administration (SSA) lets workers start at 62, yet every year of patience up to age 70 … Read more

After years of reduced benefits, teachers, police officers, and other public servants will once again receive their complete Social Security payments thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act signed in January. The measure reverses prior offsets that slashed—or even erased—retirement checks for workers who also earned a government pension. Beginning this summer, retroactive payments dating … Read more

Millions of Americans could see their retirement budgets swell next year after the Social Security Administration confirmed that qualifying spouses—and even former spouses—may receive up to 50 percent of their partner’s full‑retirement‑age benefit. The 50 percent ceiling is not new, but the agency’s fresh guidance clarifies deadlines and age rules for the 2025 benefit cycle, giving couples … Read more

After a flurry of legislation and inflation tweaks, millions of Americans must rethink their claiming strategy this year. Social Security is changing faster than many seniors expected. From heftier monthly checks to the rollback of two controversial offsets, 2025 is rewriting the rulebook and, perhaps, retirement timelines. Here’s what matters most—without the jargon. Cost‑of‑living (COLA) … Read more

Thousands of Americans living on modest Social Security payments can unlock a larger monthly benefit by taking three often‑overlooked steps, according to fresh guidance from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Retirees with earnings histories below the national average may feel locked into a “fixed‑income” life. However, the SSA has highlighted little‑known options—ranging from tapping a … Read more

Delaying benefits can mean an extra four‑figure boost every month for future retirees. Choosing when to claim Social Security may be the biggest paycheck decision you ever make. Older Americans who hold off until 70 are now seeing the largest monthly benefit in program history, and the numbers might surprise you. Waiting sounds simple, but … Read more

Thinking of retiring overseas? The Social Security Administration (SSA) will still direct‑deposit your monthly benefit in many countries, but only if you meet a few non‑negotiable requirements. America’s retirees, disabled workers, and surviving family members receive more than income—they get peace of mind. But what happens when that peace of mind packs a suitcase? In … Read more

Good news for high earners who delayed claiming their benefits: the Social Security Administration (SSA) has reconfirmed that the maximum monthly retirement check remains $5,108 for June 2025. Even so, only a fraction of retirees will ever see that figure land in their bank account. Curious whether you’re among them? Read on for the key … Read more

Millions of SSDI recipients face periodic medical reviews—understanding the rules can keep those monthly checks coming. The Social Security Administration (SSA) regularly double‑checks every disability case to be sure benefits still match current medical realities. These reviews sound daunting, but knowing the schedule, paperwork and appeal rights turns anxiety into simple planning. SSDI is meant … Read more