The 2027 Social Security COLA Forecast Is Shrinking: What It Means for Your Monthly Check
A smaller Social Security COLA could leave retirees with less room in their 2027 budgets.
08-27-2026
Latest
Social Security Fast Facts and Figures
There were 68,456,000 people getting Social Security benefits in December 2024.
08-26-2026
Disability Means Inability to Work
The only thing that matters is whether or not a person meets the legal definition of disability for Social Security purposes.
08-19-2026
Misinformation From the Next Booth Over
If your life has been fairly straightforward, Social Security will be fairly straightforward for you, too.
08-12-2026
There Is a Reason for the Rules
The rules of Social Security are not made to inconvenience you.
08-5-2026
No Secret Code on Social Security Cards
Separating fact from fiction about your Social Security.
07-29-2026
The Social Security ‘Grandma’s’ Check for Dependents
If you're raising a grandchild, they could qualify for Social Security benefits based on your work record—but only under specific rules.
07-28-2026
Working Women Versus Stay-at-Home Moms—the Argument Continues
Some working women find it unfair that they get smaller checks than women who didn't work.
07-22-2026
Claimed Too Early? A Social Security Do-Over Most People Miss
If you've claimed Social Security early, you may still have options to boost your future benefits.
07-18-2026
Grocery Clerks, Managers, and Maytags
SSA representatives are trained to handle the matters we present to them.
07-15-2026
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Some people must lie awake nights and worry that they might make a decision they think will cost them thousands of dollars in lost benefits.
07-8-2026
Government Health Care: A Before and After Story
Many Americans love all the benefits provided by Social Security and Medicare, as long as they don't have to pay too much for them.
07-1-2026
Divorced Men and Social Security
Most men earned more than their ex-spouse, and they are concerned about their exes filing for spousal benefits.
06-24-2026
How Many Questions Can I Answer Today?
Every once in a while, I like to challenge myself by seeing how many Social Security questions I can answer in just one column.
06-17-2026
Benefit Computations: Simple and Advanced
You can find a complete breakdown of those computation "bend points" at www.socialsecurity.gov.
06-10-2026
The Real Story Behind Social Security Overpayments
More than 99.5 percent of the time, people are being paid correctly.
06-3-2026
More Social Security Rules I Can’t Explain
There are a few Social Security rules that people question a lot.
05-27-2026
Why Are There So Many Rules?
Social security accommodates all the complicated twists and turns of life.
05-20-2026
What Happens if I Keep Working While Earning Social Security?
Social Security recipients may still work, but earnings above certain limits may temporarily reduce benefits.
05-15-2026
Forbes Column Full of Holes
A recent edition of Forbes Magazine included an article called "Seven Ways Social Security Benefits are Unfair.
05-13-2026
The Good Old Days at a Social Security Office Were Not Necessarily So!
Let me take you back to a Social Security office in 1973.
05-6-2026
Identity Theft: Usually Not a Social Security Issue
SSA gets involved in your life for three reasons but resolving identity theft is not one of them.
04-29-2026