Have you ever wondered how your Social Security benefit is calculated? Although the benefit formula is comprised of three basic steps, there are several adjustments that make the calculation a bit complicated.  Eligibility First, anyone with 40 quarters (10 years) of earnings is entitled to a Social Security benefit (some exceptions exist for certain government...Read More

One of the most common tax traps in retirement is surcharges on Medicare premiums. This is more formally known as the income related monthly adjustment amount or IRMAA. Medicare Part B premiums are based on a taxpayer’s income. As your income increases, you run the risk of being subject to IRMAA which can result in...Read More

Of the many topics having to do with Social Security, without question, the hottest and probably least understood is the fiscal health of the program. I regularly hear people quip that Social Security is “going broke.” But is this really true?  The question of whether Social Security is going broke really isn’t the right one....Read More