Social Security, retirement planning, and annuities.
Banking is an essential part of everyday modern life. Transactions happen behind the scenes at pivotal moments in our lives: Buying a vacation condo and need a loan? You’ll need a bank for that. Paying off your credit card (including that expensive steak dinner)? You’ll need a bank for that. Applying to live in an assisted living […]
Social Security can be confusing, particularly when you have lost a loved one, and intend to claim benefits for widows based on their working record. Whether they passed recently, or years ago, you don’t have to navigate your finances and benefits alone. Our widow financial checklist provides a guide to walk you through what you […]
Social Security is already confusing. Navigating Social Security widows benefits after the death of a loved one can feel even more complicated. But you don’t have to navigate your finances and benefits alone. We break down everything you need to know about survivors benefits. Understanding how the Social Security Administration distributes benefits to families after the loss of […]
“When can I retire?” “When can I take Social Security?” Obviously, people want the option to retire as soon as they like—the earliest age generally being 62. But the decision to take Social Security retirement benefits can be complicated by your health, your marital status and your spouse’s Social Security plan. One of the key factors is the year […]
January 2021 The pandemic has altered the lives of every American. Despite buoyant markets, millions of Americans faced unprecedented financial hardship caused by COVID-19. It has upended what work, income, and employment opportunities look like, as well as retirement. It has eaten into savings, forced people into debt, and created unprecedented levels of housing instability. […]
November 2020 With a politically polarized nation and COVID-19 cases surging around the country, uncertainty has become the new normal in America. While jobless claims have recently dipped slightly, the unemployment rate and 11 million jobless workers reported in October are both approximately twice pre-COVID levels. A majority of citizens remain paycheck to paycheck, unable […]
Applying for Social Security retirement benefits might seem like a challenging process, but a little bit of preparation goes a long way. In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) office now allows applicants to apply online. If you’ve already decided you’re at the right age for retirement and you want to get the process started, the application […]
Knowing what you’re owed can help you to plan for retirement as well as maximize your own benefits. However, figuring out that number can be confusing. The average Social Security retirement benefit is $1,514 in 2020. But that number can vary greatly, going up to $3,790 per month. It largely depends on your personal lifetime earnings or […]
Knowing what you’re owed can help you to plan for retirement as well as maximize your own benefits. However, figuring out that number can be confusing. The average Social Security retirement benefit is $1,514 in 2020. But that number can vary greatly, going up to $3,790 per month. It largely depends on your personal lifetime earnings or […]
Since the rapid spread of the coronavirus around the world, many people are losing jobs and fearing for the economy. The Social Security Administration, though not created specifically to deal with pandemics, is a social safety net to help Americans—especially American workers—through times of crisis. But in order to keep the Social Security benefit funds viable for […]