Category: retirement

Repeat After Me: ‘SSI Is Not Social Security’

If I had a million dollars, I’d buy commercial time at the upcoming Super Bowl and run an ad that would say, in big bold letters, “SSI is not Social Security.” I have written dozens of past columns about this topic. But I’ve just got to do so again. It seems to me that just…


Former Speaker of BC Legislature Didn’t Consider Conflict of Interest: Trial Hears

VANCOUVER—A former Speaker of the B.C. legislature says he doesn’t recall being worried about a conflict of interest after he took guidance from the same lawyer who gave a former clerk advice about a retirement payment that’s at the centre of a breach-of-trust trial. In the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Monday, Crown prosecutor…


BC’s Legislature Deputy Clerk Told to Trust Advice on Retirement Payment: Trial

VANCOUVER—The former deputy clerk of the British Columbia legislative assembly told a trial that before she returned a retirement allowance she had received assurances from government officials that it was a valid claim. The $258,000 retirement allowance that her then-boss, former clerk Craig James, received in 2012 is the largest among several payments that are…


Don’t Assume Your Taxes Will Be Lower in Retirement

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Taxes are paid in the sweat of every man who labors.” But, I have a not-so-well-kept-secret. You’re also going to have to pay taxes in retirement. Some of you may be floored upon hearing this. I mean you’re no longer drawing a salary. So, that means that no more payroll…


A COLA Gift From Congress Few Seniors Know About

I wonder if any of my readers have thought about this. Why did you get the 2022 cost-of-living increase in your January Social Security checks? After all, that check you get in January is the Social Security payment for December. In other words, you get your first 2022 COLA increase in your December 2021 Social…


Capitol Report (Jan. 27): 29 Democrats Won’t Seek Reelection

President Joe Biden on Tuesday stood alongside Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer to officially announce Breyer’s retirement. He will leave his position at the end of the current term—sometime this summer. Biden will announce his nominee by the end of February. Midterm election campaigns are getting started—and many House Democrats are not seeking reelection this…


8 Overlooked Retirement Expenses

Most of us know how much money we have coming in and going out each month. It doesn’t have to be to the penny. But, we have at least a ballpark figure so that you can cover various expenses. But, what happens when you retire? Well, some areas probably aren’t affected all that much. If…


7 Things a Retiree Should Do Every Day

It’s never too late to start planning for retirement. Retirement can be a time of great joy and excitement, but it can also be accompanied by boredom or loneliness. The key is finding ways to fill your days with activities that make you happy and healthy. It all boils down to keeping a healthy body,…


Americans Are Doing “Very Well” When Saving for Retirement

Is retirement saving reaching a crisis? Doomsayers would have you believe so. So let’s look at the facts closely and thoroughly. We are not facing a retirement crisis right now. The recent study claims that “painting an image of a catastrophe is false and leads to unwarranted government action.” According to the survey, less than…


Turning Full Retirement Age in 2022? Consider Filing for Benefits This Month

I write a column similar to this one every January. But I don’t mind plagiarizing myself, because it contains a very important message for people planning to retire in 2022. January is a critical month for the hundreds of thousands of potential Social Security beneficiaries who are reaching 66 and 4 months, their so-called full…