Tag Archives: Social Security

Finance Preview: Barron’s Magazine – Sept 18, 2023

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BARRON’S MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER 18, 2023:

Why the UAW Strike Isn’t the Biggest Issue for Ford and GM

Why the UAW Strike Isn't the  Biggest Issue for Ford and GM

The labor action highlights the biggest issue: Can the auto makers afford to spend what it takes to thrive in the new world of EVs?

This Highflying Defense Stock Stumbled. That’s a Reason to Buy.

This Highflying Defense Stock Stumbled. That’s a Reason to Buy.

The defense contractor spent heavily on acquisitions, then struggled during the pandemic. Now with new senior leadership working to fix its operational problems, its shares could fly.

Arm Is a Pricey Bet on AI

Arm Is a Pricey Bet on AI

Arm Holdings closed its first day as a public company priced at more than 25 times sales and 100 times profit. It’s a pricey bet on AI.4 min

From Mom-and-Pop Shops to Powerhouses: Here Are Barron’s Top Independent Financial Advisors

From Mom-and-Pop Shops to Powerhouses: Here Are Barron’s Top Independent Financial Advisors

With a full range of investment and planning services at their fingertips, independent financial advisors are managing more of America’s wealth. Here’s how they do it.

Unions Are Rising Up Again. The Fallout for Labor and the Economy.

Unions Are Rising Up Again. The Fallout for Labor and the Economy.

The United Auto Workers strike is unlikely hurt the economy much. But it could encourage other unions to bargain more aggressively.

Finance Preview: Barron’s Magazine – Sept 11, 2023

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BARRON’S MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER 11, 2023:

More Americans Are Working Into Their 80s. The Future of Labor.

More Americans Are Working Into Their 80s. The Future of Labor.

As the baby boomers age, it’s becoming more common for people to remain employed into their 70s and 80s. These octogenarians tell us why they still aren’t ready to retire.

Food Stocks Have Gotten Hit Hard. 6 to Buy Now.

Food Stocks Have Gotten Hit Hard. 6 to Buy Now.

Kraft Heinz, Kellogg, General Mills, and other leading snack makers could serve up gains of 20% or more. Their healthy dividends are a plus.

Almost All Workers Should Contribute to Roth Accounts. Here’s Why.

Almost All Workers Should Contribute to Roth Accounts. Here's Why.

No matter what your current income, saving part of your retirement money in a Roth after-tax account will give you more flexibility down the road.

Finance Preview: Barron’s Magazine – Sept 4, 2023

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BARRON’S MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER 4, 2023: The new issue feature a Fall Investment 2023 preview.

Warner Bros. Discovery Has Big Challenges. The Barbie Movie Won’t Solve Them.

The Warner Bros. Discovery CEO has a big salary and a big task at the parent company for CNN and Max: turning around a media giant saddled with high debt and multiple challenges

Coinbase’s Winning Streak Looks Shaky. Why the Stock Isn’t a Buy.

Coinbase’s Winning Streak Looks Shaky. Why the Stock Isn’t a Buy.

Shares of the crypto exchange have soared, but legal challenges are mounting along with competitive threats.

Hedge Funds Challenge the SEC’s New Rules

Hedge Funds Challenge the SEC's New Rules

Just as they threatened to do, the hedge fund and private equity industries are challenging new rules imposed on them by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Trade groups for those private fund advisers filed their petition Friday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fift…

Student Loan Payments Are Back. Your Biggest Questions Answered

Student Loan Payments Are Back. Your Biggest Questions Answered.

Federal student loans will resume soon, more than three years after the government paused them du…

Finance Preview: Barron’s Magazine – August 28, 2023

Magazine - Latest Issue - Barron's

BARRON’S MAGAZINE – AUGUST 28, 2023 ISSUE:

Weather Is Wreaking Havoc With Insurance. These Companies Can Handle the Storm.

Weather Is Wreaking Havoc With Insurance. These Companies Can Handle the Storm.

Backed by nearly $1 trillion in capital and rising premiums, insurers might actually profit off the coming wave of catastrophic weather.

Floods, Wildfires, and Droughts: People Still Moving to Hotspots

Floods, Wildfires, and Droughts: People Still Moving to Hotspots

Why millions of Americans continue to move to areas exposed to high climate risks.

How to Get Extra Yield on Your Cash

Bonds are close to becoming more attractive than stocks.

This Invesco Pro Is High on China, ETFs, Today’s Markets—and the Future

This Invesco Pro Is High on China, ETFs, Today’s Markets—and the Future

Marty Flanagan spent 18 years as Invesco’s CEO. During that time, he transformed the assets manager by expanding operations in Asia and acquiring the PowerShares ETF brand.Long read

SharkNinja Reinvented the Ice Cream Maker. Its Stock Is a Buy.

SharkNinja Reinvented the Ice Cream Maker. Its Stock Is a Buy.

The company has been a consistent and successful innovator in small appliances, an industry that has been marked by slow growth and few exciting new products.4 min

Finance Preview: Barron’s Magazine – August 21, 2023

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BARRON’S MAGAZINE – AUGUST 21, 2023 ISSUE:

AI Is the Real Deal—if You Get It. Our 5 Roundtable Pros Can Help.

AI Is the Real Deal—if You Get It. Our 5 Roundtable Pros  Can Help.

Five experts discuss the opportunities and risks around artificial intelligence—and the companies most likely to lead the way.

Social Security Benefits Could Shrink in 10 Years. How to Plan.

Social Security Benefits Could Shrink in 10 Years. How to Plan.

A new study finds that a typical couple would lose $17,400 in benefits in the first year the trust runs dry.

A Booster Shot for Your Portfolio

A Booster Shot for Your Portfolio

Moderna and BioNTech are no longer minting money from Covid vaccines. But both have strong drug pipelines and plenty of cash.

EV Start-Up VinFast Had a Hot Debut. Its Stock Price Is Indefensible.

EV Start-Up VinFast Had a Hot Debut. Its Stock Price Is Indefensible.

The Singapore-based company is already worth more than GM or Ford.

Retirement: Paying Less Taxes On Social Security

Social Security benefits are federally taxed at three different tiers. The amounts depend on your income, marriage status and whether you file jointly or separately. Paying less in taxes can come down to how much money you pull out of your retirement accounts in a given year. Watch this video for tips on how to pay less in taxes on your Social Security benefits.

Retirement: How Monthly ‘Social Security’ Benefits Are Calculated (Video)

Planning to save for retirement might not be a priority. Luckily, you’ll have some help from Social Security. Different salaries can drastically raise or lower your Social Security benefits. Here’s how much you can expect, based on six different salaries. The average Social Security check in 2020 is $1,503.  Figuring out how much you can expect every month when you retire depends on a few criteria.  The size of your payment will be based on income from your working years, the year you were born and the age when you decide to start receiving benefits. Luckily, CNBC did the math for a wide range of salaries, and we can estimate your future benefits if you make between $30,000 and $100,000 per year.  Remember: Social Security was not envisioned as your sole source of money for retirement, and the totals are always changing. Watch this video for a breakdown of how much you will get and how your monthly benefit will be calculated based on multiple different salaries. 

Retirement: ‘How Social Security Works’ (Video)

Since 2010, Social Security’s cash flow has been negative, meaning that the agency does not collect enough money through taxes to cover what it is paying out. Even though there was still this vast trust fund behind Social Security, they started tapping that fund’s interest.

Starting in 2021, they will have to dip into the trust fund itself to cover those benefit payments, and even that pool of cash has an expiration date. Trustees of the fund expect that by 2035 it will not be enough to cover full benefit payments. Due to COVID-19, that date may come years sooner than expected, which has some retirees seriously worried about their future.

Crime: “Social Security Administration Scams” Are #1 Fraud Reported To FTC

From an FTC online release:

FTC LogoThe Social Security Administration (SSA) scam is the number one scam reported to the FTC right now.

As soon as a caller threatens you, or demands you pay them with a gift card or by wiring money.  It’s a scam. Even if the caller ID tells you otherwise.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration, hang up the phone and remember:

  • Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended.
  • The real Social Security Administration will never call to threaten your benefits.
  • The real SSA will never tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on a gift card.

 

To read more: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/12/getting-bombarded-scam-calls-youre-not-alone?utm_source=govdelivery

Retirement Myths: Expenses & Taxes Will Decrease While Savings, Social Security & Work Will Be Adequate

From Seeking Alpha article:

 

  • Myth #1 – My Expenses Will Be Cut In Half!

    One of the greatest myths for future retirees is that expenses will drop when you retire. Some think their living expenses will virtually cut in half overnight.

    However, that is usually not the case. In fact, oftentimes retirees spend more in retirement (especially in the first few years) than they did during their working days. Why is that?

  • Myth #2 – Social Security Will Provide for Most of My Retirement Needs

    Many people are led to believe that they’ll manage to live just on Social Security in retirement. In most cases, however, that’s just not doable. Today, Social Security pays the average recipient only $1,461 a month in benefits. Over the course of a year, that’s $17,532. Meanwhile, the average retired household spends $46,000 a year. So there is a pretty large disconnect between the two. Property taxes alone in some blue states amount to what some receive all year in Social Security payments.

  • Myth #3 – I Can Just Keep Working

    Surveys show that many people nearing retirement would prefer to continue working to close any gaps they feel they have in their retirement funding. Or they want to continue working because they have no plans for their free time after they retire. Regardless of which reason, they want to keep working- and it does provide a dual benefit- it gives a further boost to your nest egg while at the same time reduces the number of years you’ll need to live off it.

  • Myth #4 – It’s Too Late To Start Saving

    They say the eighth wonder of the world is compound interest. And it obviously has a bigger effect the earlier you start saving, but you’re never too old to take advantage of its power to grow your money.

    Aside from compounding, the IRS gives other incentives to save for those nearing retirement. IRAs, 401Ks, and other tax-advantaged plans give investors that are 50 and older the ability to make ‘catch up’ contributions. Those Traditional and Roth IRAs can make an additional $1,000 each year per investor. 401Ks and like plans can add $6,000 as a catch-up.

  • Myth #5 – Taxes Will Be Much Less In Retirement

    As you’ve seen in previous points, where we show your need to save more, invest more, and possibly work more – you will probably not be reducing your overall income that much. So if your income isn’t going to drop, then you shouldn’t assume with any honesty that your tax bill will drop.

    The Trump tax cut reduced rates, but removed certain deductions. Even if we call it a wash, not many would bet that rates would drop further from here. The easy bet would be to wager they will only rise from here.

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Read article by clicking here: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4273061-common-retirement-myths-debunked