Tag: Social Security

This page tracks Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments year by year — confirmed figures and the latest forward estimates. The 2026 COLA is confirmed at 2.8%, effective January 2026. The 2027 COLA is currently tracking around 3.8%, after briefly spiking toward 4.7% in June. I've also added what the latest Trustees…

Under the now approved $1.9 Trillion Biden Stimulus Package, or American Rescue Plan (ARP), there are provisions included for another round of stimulus checks. The amount being paid for this third round of stimulus “checks” is $1400 for each adult and qualifying dependent, Non-filers, or those who have not filed a recent tax…

Updated income-tax withholding tables for 2017 have been released by the IRS. In 2017 the amount for one withholding allowance on an annual basis is $4,050 (same as 2016). Employers will start using the revised withholding tables and correct the amount of Social Security tax withheld as soon as possible…

The maximum federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment for 2026 is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 a month for a couple, confirmed by the Social Security Administration's 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). That's up from $967 and $1,450 in 2025. Most people don't actually get the maximum. Your…

As I was writing this article I re-read my original pieces on the 2011 debt ceiling debate/deal and got a major sense of deja-vu. After 18 months we are back in the same place with a dysfunctional Congress, who barely passed legislation to avert the fiscal cliff, trying to reach a new deal to keep the…

See this article for the latest COLA increase - https://savingtoinvest.com/social-security-tax-and-cost-of-living-adjustment-cola The Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed that the 2013 COLA increase will be 1.7%. This means that nearly 62 million Americans will see their benefit payments increase in January 2013, with the average retiree receiving a $21 increase.  As detailed in the…

Ever wondered where all our federal tax dollars go? I did and a recent report from the center on budget priorities and policies (CBPP) provided a very nice graphic on how federal tax dollars are distributed. With all the political rhetoric that abounds around the national debt, excessive federal spending…

Most people who work or are self-employed are subject to Social Security taxes. This is true, regardless of age. Employers are also subject to Social Security taxes for their employees. If you are self-employed, and your business' net profit is greater than $400, you must also pay Social Security (and Medicare)…

[Latest Update]  As many had predicted, the debt Super Committee has failed to come up with a deficit reduction plan. Basically the not-so-super members failed to get past party line bickering and will now face the prospect of justifying to an angry public why they could not compromise. Further, the…

[2013 Update] As I was updating this article, originally written in mid-2011 following the first debt ceiling deal, I got a major sense of deja-vu. After 18 months we are back in the same place with a dysfunctional Congress who barely passed legislation to avert the fiscal cliff.  But it's…

Knowing the exact age at which something happens to your retirement accounts is more valuable than most general planning advice. Miss an RMD at 73 and you're looking at a 25% penalty. Claim Social Security two years too early and that reduction follows you for life. Here's a clear map…

To tackle America’s growing national debt problem, President Obama put together a task force earlier this year to look at options on how to cut government spending, implement tax reform and improve the effectiveness of federal entitlement programs. The deficit reduction commission co-chairs (Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson) put forward…

It’s hard to believe that Social Security has been in existence for over 75 years. During that time, however, it has become an income staple for many Americans, with nine out of ten people over 65 receiving benefits. Although Social Security provides benefits for other than just retirement income, those…