Mstudioimages | E+ | Getty Images Social Security beneficiaries who owe money to the Social Security Administration may see much lower default withholding rates from their monthly checks, thanks to new policies that are going into effect. As of March 25, the Social Security Administration no longer plans to collect 100% of a total monthly … Read more
Former Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD), President Biden’s nominee to be the next Commissioner of Social Security, testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on November 02, 2023 in Washington, DC. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images Three months into his role as commissioner of the Social Security … Read more
Peopleimages | Istock | Getty Images High inflation has prompted higher Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. But as the rate of price growth subsides, the annual increases for Social Security may fall in 2025 and beyond, predicts Mary Johnson, a Social Security and Medicare policy analyst at The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior group. In … Read more
The United States Capitol building is seen in Washington D.C., United States on October 4 , 2023. Yasin Ozturk | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images What may happen with Social Security in a shutdown If the worst-case scenario happens, and lawmakers fail to finalize a deal before both of those dates, it may take some … Read more
Tanya Constantine | Getty Images Once you start Social Security retirement benefits, you are generally guaranteed to receive monthly checks for life. But that will stop once you die — with some exceptions for your loved ones. A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 may be available, provided your survivors meet certain requirements. For example, … Read more
Mark Edward Atkinson | Tetra Images | Getty Images What to watch for with ‘two check’ months SSI recipients must comply with strict rules. Individuals have a $2,000 limit on resources they may own such as property, stocks, bonds or bank accounts. For couples, the limit is $3,000. These thresholds have not changed since 1989. … Read more
Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty Images Current SSI asset limits ‘lock people in poverty’ Current SSI asset limits are extremely low — $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 per couple. Those thresholds apply to all kinds of assets, including cash, bank accounts, investments and household goods. Beneficiaries who go over the limits are suspended or … Read more
Richard Stephen | Istock | Getty Images When Joyce Debnam’s husband passed away, she began receiving $1,400 a month in Social Security survivor benefits. Eight months later, that income unexpectedly changed. The trigger: Debnam retired from her job at the United States Postal Service in 2013 after four decades of service. That life change prompted … Read more
