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• 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 1 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

• Rules of Thumb Aren‘t Meant To Be Precise

  Q. My wife and I are in our mid seventies and are allocating our assets between stocks and bonds. A few years ago we decided that by the time we were 80 we should have 80% bonds and 20% equities. This method would now require a substantial move from stocks... Posted Mar 31 2005, 02:43 PM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

• Spending Is only Part of the Social Security Problem

  Q. Isn't the real problem with Social Security the fact that Congress (both parties) spent the money on "pork" for re-election? Could it be that the real purpose of Bush's privatization plan is to keep Congress's spendaholic hands off of it so something... Posted Mar 17 2005, 10:08 AM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

• For a Good Investment--- Delay Taking Social Security

  Q. In a recent column, you advised J.N. to delay drawing his Social Security in order to increase the amount of Social Security he would have when he does finally hang it up. Why couldn't he go ahead and draw the Social Security at 65 and invest that... Posted Dec 16 2004, 03:12 PM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Couch Potato Investing, Q&A (from print), Social Security

• Taxation of Social Security benefits

  Q. Scott, I love your advice column and your answers to difficult questions. Mine is fairly simple, but I have received conflicting answers. I am a retired single man turning 62 this month. I will receive my first early SS check in January 2005. I want... Posted Nov 02 2004, 03:13 PM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security

• Escaping the Social Security Tax Gantlet

  Q. I read with interest your article on annuities and Social Security taxation. It brought up questions that have been bothering me. How does one determine whether a life annuity will protect Social Security income from taxation? Are all life annuities... Posted Sep 02 2004, 03:31 PM by scottb with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement, Social Security

• Gay Marriage Would Not Endanger Social Security

  Q. Am I right in thinking that under Social Security a surviving spouse can collect benefits based on his or her earnings record or that of the deceased spouse? Much of what homosexuals say they want to accomplish by getting "married" can be accomplished... Posted Apr 29 2004, 11:38 AM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Government, Taxes & Other Disasters, Q&A (from print), Social Security