Financial Planning

Whether you’re planning for your retirement years in advance or thinking about applying for Social Security today, you probably have questions. The Frequently Asked Questions web page at faq.ssa.gov has answers to your questions about related programs and services, featuring most-asked questions at the top of the page to help you find answers faster. ...

1983 was the last time that recipients of Social Security benefits saw a cost-of-living increase steeper than the one just announced for 2022. This coming year, benefits will rise 5.9 percent, the sharpest upsurge since 1983’s 7.4 percent jump for Social Security disability and retirement recipients. ...

Many services have popped up that offer do-it-yourself will software or documents. These might work fine if you have little or no property, small savings or investments, and a traditional family tree, but the rest of the population should not use these programs. ...

A trust or plan that is not customized to your individual family, financial status or state of residence could jeopardize your child’s eligibility for public benefits, and you wouldn’t even know it. The laws are complex and vary from state to state. How reliable and trustworthy is the information you might find online? Would you risk your child’s eligibility just to save some money up front? ...

If you need a Benefit Verification letter, sometimes called a “proof of income letter,” it is available online when you need proof of Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income or Medicare. You can get your Benefit Verification letter anytime using your personal 'my Social Security' account.  ...

The pandemic has led to more online shopping, making it a convenient and relatively safe way to buy things. But be careful. Scams related to online purchases have risen sharply, Read on to learn how to protect yourself and your wallet. ...

One out of every 20 older adults in the U.S. is a victim of financial exploitation, losing an average of $80,000 to $186,000. Nearly half of these crimes are committed by someone the older adult knows and trusts, like a relative or caregiver. See why it’s critical to protect older adults from financial exploitation. ...

Social Security Administration's Spanish-language website, ssa.gov/espanol, provides information for those whose primary language is Spanish. There, family and friends can learn about how to get a Social Security card, plan for retirement, apply for benefits, manage their benefits and much more. ...