Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tom Hager – “Mister Social Security” – offers expert advice from Ohio. Social Security is more confusing than ever. Myths abound.

While they may be imperfect, COLAs are meant to help you cover the higher cost of living and help ease the sting of higher prices.

Social Security is America’s most expensive program, accounting for more than one in five dollars in the federal budget. A perennial political hot-button topic, Social Security is subject to political ...

Given all the discussions about Social Security occurring almost daily in the news media, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if you thought it was about to go bankrupt. In fact, as politically divisive as ...

Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are designed to help your Social Security benefits keep pace with inflation. COLAs reflect a measure of inflation from the third quarter of the previous year through ...

It goes without saying that Social Security is one of the most critical aspects of the United States federal government. With an estimated 68 million people receiving Social Security benefits in 2024, ...

Divorce is rarely a straightforward experience. There's bound to be a flurry of emotions. In addition, there are practical issues to work through, like how marital belongings will be divided and where ...

Your clients will often wonder whether they will have enough money to sustain them through their less productive years, especially if they become disabled or develop a chronic illness. This is a big ...

When the Social Security Act was signed into law in 1935, its purpose was to provide a financial foundation for America's aging workforce. Nine decades later, this mission is still being fulfilled, ...

Spousal benefits can be more valuable than your own retirement benefits if your spouse was a higher earner. There are rules about when you can claim spousal benefits that you'll want to be aware of ...

Deciding when to claim Social Security benefits is often complicated since you can start your checks any time between 62 and 70, and the decision impacts both lifetime and monthly benefits. The choice ...