Social Security,Q&A (from print) - Registered Investment Advisor

Social Security Funding: Yes, It’s Complicated

By Scott Burns Q. Some time ago you wrote a column about possible proposals for Social Security 'modernization.' Why is it that nobody, but nobody, talks about raising the earnings cap on the employment tax? Why not raise the cap from $106,800...

Posted Aug 11 2010, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

Stay Married and You can Collect Spousal Benefits

By Scott Burns Q: I am 62 years old and still working. My husband of 37 years is retired and collecting Social Security. Am I entitled to receive some portion of his benefit? We live separately, but we are not legally separated nor divorced. Will my receiving...

Posted Sep 09 2009, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

Playing in the Casino of Life and Death

By Scott Burns Q. I’m a 62-year-old black man, eligible for early Social Security. After working 42 years I was recently downsized. I currently have roughly $140,000 in my 401(k) account. We have no mortgage on our home. My wife receives $8,000...

Posted Apr 22 2009, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

You Don’t Have To Be Rich To Pay Taxes On Social Security Benefits

By Scott Burns Q. Would you please clarify this sentence from a recent column: "If you earn very much, however, your (Social Security) benefits become subject to income taxes." Is there a magic "earned income" number below which one...

Posted Apr 08 2009, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

Betting on Social Security Deferral

By Scott Burns Readers had two questions about my recent column on taking my Social Security benefits. Most readers wanted to know why I had waited so long--- several months after my 68th birthday. After all, they argued, it would take years to recoup...

Posted Mar 04 2009, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 3 comment(s)

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

Lower Earnings Won’t Have a Big Impact on Social Security Benefits

By Scott Burns Q. My understanding of Social Security is that your benefit is based upon an average of your last three years of earnings. My wife (age 60) would like to draw at age 62, using savings as a bridge from now until then. She is currently earning...

Posted Nov 05 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

Life, Death and Social Security Benefits

By Scott Burns Q: I am 69 years of age. I have been receiving Social Security benefits for the past four years. My current monthly payment is $1,888 per month. If I give back my total benefits of $84,960, Social Security will increase my monthly payment...

Posted Sep 10 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 1 comment(s)

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

Taking Social Security Benefits Now vs. Later

By Scott Burns Q. I'm 61 and will be eligible for Social Security benefits next year. From the numbers provided by the Social Security Administration, the difference between the age 62 payment and the full retirement (age 66) payment is about $595...

Posted Sep 03 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 3 comment(s)

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

Steps for Getting a Guaranteed Lifetime Income

By Scott Burns Q. I am 73 and have investigated buying back the Social Security benefits I took at age 62. The buyback number is $158,529. My current monthly benefit is $1,231. A total buyback would give me a new monthly benefit of $2,019. This is a difference...

Posted Jul 16 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement, Social Security

Where to Learn More About Your Social Security Benefits

By Scott Burns Q: I just read your response to a reader concerning the impact of his Social Security benefits on his standard of living in retirement. How does one find out what the benefits will be? Sure, the government sends you a statement each year...

Posted Jan 16 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 2 comment(s)

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

Why We’re All Confused about “Safe” Withdrawal Rates

By Scott Burns Q. You confused me recently in a column about safe rates of withdrawal. I am 68 years old and 80 percent invested in CDs. My CDs are currently paying between 5 percent and 5.5 percent. If I withdraw only 4 percent or 5 percent from my investments...

Posted Oct 10 2007, 03:30 PM by scottb with | with 2 comment(s)

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement, Social Security

The Impact of Future Earnings on Social Security Benefits

Q: A recent column of yours answered an important question about Social Security. The annual statements regarding retirement payments are in constant dollars. Another question not addressed in those statements is: How does the amount of future earnings...

Posted Dec 06 2006, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 6 comment(s)

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

Social Security, Taxes and Deferral

Q: I'm 34 years old and, despite my master's degree in public policy, a little confused by the numbers Social Security sends me in their little green and white "Social Security Statement" mailer. They say that if I retire at age 67, my payment would be...

Posted Nov 15 2006, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 11 comment(s)

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

In Doubt about Social Security Benefits?

Q. In a recent column (June 2, 2005) a reader's question mentioned that part of his income was a Social Security check, as well as some part-time income of $36,000 per year. I am also receiving Social Security and was told by the Social Security Administration...

Posted Jul 07 2006, 12:16 PM by scottb with | with no comments

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

“Other Income“ and Social Security Taxation a Complicated Subject

Q. Your recent article on the taxation of social security benefits and "other income" was of special interest. I noted that house equity from the sale or refinancing of one's house is not considered other income. Is the income generated from a reverse...

Posted Jun 09 2005, 02:16 PM by scottb with | with no comments

Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

AssetBuilder - Registered Investment Advisor :: Simple Investing Smart Future

Subscribe to our RSS

Registered Investment Advisor

Social Security Funding: Yes, It’s Complicated

Stay Married and You can Collect Spousal Benefits

Playing in the Casino of Life and Death

You Don’t Have To Be Rich To Pay Taxes On Social Security Benefits

Betting on Social Security Deferral

Lower Earnings Won’t Have a Big Impact on Social Security Benefits

Life, Death and Social Security Benefits

Taking Social Security Benefits Now vs. Later

Steps for Getting a Guaranteed Lifetime Income

Where to Learn More About Your Social Security Benefits

Why We’re All Confused about “Safe” Withdrawal Rates

The Impact of Future Earnings on Social Security Benefits

Social Security, Taxes and Deferral

In Doubt about Social Security Benefits?

“Other Income“ and Social Security Taxation a Complicated Subject

Contact Us