Making Social Security Work For You

Featured in The Washington Post An up-to-date guide to getting the most out of Social Security under the new regulations that took effect on April 29, 2016. Despite reports of Social Security's impending bankruptcy, Social Security remains an important part of most Americans' retirement plans. But will it be enough? Making Social Security Work for You teaches you what you need to know about Social Security retirement benefits and the options you can choose to help meet your retirement goals. In straightforward, easy-to-understand language, this compact guide provides advice on the advantages and disadvantages of delaying benefits as well as the best ways to maximize your benefits depending on your financial or marital situation. Featuring a glossary of terms to help you better understand Social Security jargon; a full explanation on how the system works under the new regulations that took effect on April 29, 2016; and practical, actionable advice on how and when to save additional retirement funds, this book shows you how to make your retirement the best it can possibly be. "Guy Birken brings her breezy style to explaining a system that can be mind-numbing." --The Washington Post

Learn everything you need to do in the next five years to create a realistic plan for your retirement with clear, practical advice that is sure to set your future up for success. Most people don’t realize they haven’t saved enough for their retirement until their sixties and by then, it’s often too late to save enough for a comfortable retirement. The 5 Years Before You Retire has helped thousands of people prepare for retirement—even if they waited until the last minute. In this new and updated edition, you’ll find out everything you need to do in the next five years to maximize your current savings and create a realistic plan for your future. Including recent changes in financial planning, taxes, Social Security, healthcare, insurance, and more, this book is the all-inclusive guide to each financial, medial, and familial decision. From taking advantage of the employer match your company offers for your 401k to enrolling in Medicare to discussing housing options with your family, you are completely covered on every aspect of retirement planning. These straightforward strategies explain in detail how you can make the most of your last few years in the workforce and prepare for the future you’ve always wanted. Whether you just started devising a plan or have been saving since your first job, The 5 Years Before You Retire, Updated Edition, will tell you exactly what you need to know to ensure you live comfortably in the years to come.

The information in this book is extensive. You can use it to sound glib at the water cooler, on the golf course or at a cocktail party. But that would not be it’s best use. Instead, use it to improve your life. The information contained in this book will provide you with the questions to ask, and motivate you to find an advisor you can trust. The next step is to have them prepare a comprehensive, written financial plan for you. A financial plan, like a fine tapestry, should be artfully woven to produce a valuable life chart. Next, implement the plan. Get your house in order. Understand your cash flow. Harmonize your investment portfolio so that it will support you throughout your retirement. Properly insure the risks of life that are: illness, disability, death, property damage, lawsuits and a lengthy long-term care stay. The latter can put you and your family in bankruptcy and/or dependent on a government welfare program. Lastly, carefully plan for your estate so that your worldly goods go to those whom you choose, not some agency of the government. “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” —Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

With more than 10,000 baby boomers retiring daily, it is more important than ever to understand your Social Security benefits. The decisions you make now regarding Social Security will impact the amount of benefits you will receive for the rest of your life. This book will help you better understand the basics of Social Security and how to maximize your benefits. You will learn: - How does Social Security work? - When to file for Social Security. - The different ways to file for Social Security, including new ways to file. - Costly mistakes to avoid. - Strategies to maximize benefits for spouses and widows. - How to avoid having your Social Security taxed. - How a Government Pension affects Social Security. - How working in retirement affects your Social Security. - How to coordinate other retirement income with Social Security. The decisions you make today about Social Security will have an impact over what you will receive for the rest of your life. The wrong decision could cost you thousands of dollars or more of lost Social Security beneefits over your lifetime.

You think the days have passed when seniors survived on dog and cat food? Media hype may have moved on to what Paris Hilton had for lunch but the practice continues. In today's workforce, 53% have no private retirement coverage, 32% have no savings for retirement. That's 85% of all workers with nothing set aside specifically for old age. Social Security represents 39% of all elderly income. For 65% of 33 million retired workers Social Security makes up more than half their income. Maybe that's you. For 22% Social Security is their only income. That's me. Could be that's you too. Average Social Security benefit income is about $1,000 a month. Most do not even get that. Are you making it on $12,000 to $15,000 a year or less? I am.

The authoritative resource for finding new work and new purpose after fifty. Whether they’re old enough to have earned their AARP card or not, a new generation of American workers is no longer counting the days until retirement. Instead, they’re seeking greater fulfillment in their personal lives by tackling new—and often much more socially significant—work. Switching careers is a challenge at any age, yet boomers may have more to overcome than their younger counterparts: They must beef up their education or seek out retraining; cope with seismic lifestyle shifts such as less income and a new circle of friends; and reconcile themselves to the fact that even the most rewarding position is no panacea for life’s problems. After decades writing about career issues for publications as diverse as the Chicago Tribune, Family Circle, Workplace Management, and Wired, Sam Greengard brings a wealth of knowledge to this timely topic. He shows how to sort out your feelings about your existing career; successfully transition to a new one; and work toward a greater sense of balance in your daily life. Profiles of those who’ve attained their own goals are included, along with tips, quizzes, worksheets, how-to sidebars, and other practical resources.

A guide to Social Security benefits for retirees, dependents, and the disabled covers the filing process, eligibility, Medicare, earnings limits, retirement planning, and related questions.

Investing in an Uncertain Economy For Dummies provides investors with focused, individualized investment strategies that enable them to conquer indecision and protect and strengthen their current financial holdings. With advice from 200 top independent financial advisors, empowered readers can make effective asset allocation decisions in the face of volatile markets.

Focusing on adult patrons ages 19 through senior citizens, this book explains how libraries can best serve this portion of their community's population at different life stages and foster experiences that are "worth the trip"—whether actual or virtual. Adult library patrons are busier than ever before—working, taking classes and studying for advanced degrees, caring for children, helping their aging parents, taking care of their homes or rental properties, planning and nurturing careers, managing investments and retirement funds, and inevitably retiring. Each of these endeavors can require highly specific learning and education. Throughout their lives, adults continue to have different information needs that the library and its services can fill. Designing Adult Services: Strategies for Better Serving Your Community discusses the many ways libraries can serve adults of various ages and at different life stages, covering online services, collection development, programming, and lifelong learning. This guide's unique approach simplifies the processes of designing and carrying out a successful adult services program for adult library users in all the various stages of life. The book is organized by age groups, with the respective information needs and life challenges. Each chapter suggests programs, services, and collection development strategies for the life stages. Public library administrators and managers as well as adult services librarians in public libraries will find this guide a must-read.

It doesn't matter how old you are or where you're from; you can start a profitable business. The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business will show you how. Through stories of young entrepreneurs who have started businesses, this book illustrates how to turn hobbies, skills, and interests into profit-making ventures. Mariotti describes the characteristics of the successful entrepreneur and covers the nuts and bolts of getting a business up, running and successful.

Get the benefits you’ve earned Social Security For Dummies is the one guide you need to navigate the often-complex world of Social Security retirement benefits. This updated edition offers clear guidance on when to claim benefits, how much you can expect to receive, where to find Social Security calculators, and so much more. Since its inception in the 1930s, workers across the United States have set aside a portion of their wages to fund the Social Security Administration. For many, Social Security forms the foundation for their retirement funds. Social Security For Dummies provides you with all the information you need to take charge of your retirement, maximize your financial well-being, and successfully navigate the U.S. Social Security Administration. You’ll get up-to-date information to: Make your way around the Social Security website Know your Social Security options—including retirement, survivor, spousal, and disability benefits Find resources when you’re stumped Get answers to common questions Retirement is meant to be enjoyed, and Social Security For Dummies makes it easier.

"A financial guide for retirement. Includes saving tips, timelines, and tips on how to effectively spend your post-retirement time."--