ArcaMax

On April 1, I went to the local Social Security office to apply for both my Social Security check and Medicare Part B, since I am turning 70 on April 20. On April 11 I received a letter from Social Security stating that the $3,200 Social Security benefit check will be issued in May to my bank account. To my surprise, the letter states that ...Read more

I doubt if any of you have ever bothered to count, but my average weekly column comes out to about 1,000 words. I bring this up because the other day, a national newspaper asked me to write a one-time Social Security column for them. They told me that wanted me to answer five questions (of their choosing) and that they would give me 500 words of...Read more

ATLANTA -- Alan Kinder was touched last year when the strangers he encountered during his trip back to Normandy gratefully hugged and kissed him. He had returned to France with other World War II veterans so they could mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the allied invasion of Europe.

Still buoyed by that warm reception, the 100-year-old ...Read more

In February, my husband, James, was laid off and decided to apply for an individual health insurance plan because he is 62 and could not apply for Medicare. I turned 65 in March and am having a stressful financial issue after enrolling in Medicare. Now my Medicare is costing me $518 for Medicare Part A and $185 for Medicare Part B, totaling $...Read more

I recently did a couple of media interviews. One was a podcast and the other was a radio show. The hosts of both media outlets asked me essentially the same thing: "What are the most common questions people ask about Social Security?" As long as it's fresh in my mind, I thought I'd turn those questions (and the answers, of course) into a column....Read more

I enrolled in a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan to begin April 1st when I turn 65. I chose to disenroll from my husband's employer benefits because my monthly premium is $0, making it more cost-effective for us.

Now I am in shock because a Medicare premium of $670.50 was deducted from my Social Security check. I was told by the agent who ...Read more

HENDERSON, Nev. -- He’s 102 years old and he can still do your taxes.

As a veteran, pilot and tax preparer, centenarian William Brew has stories to tell. Born in 1923 in Idaho, Brew has been to places that don’t even exist anymore, fought in World War II and lived through some of the most pivotal moments in American history, but now lives ...Read more

There are so many Social Security-bashing screeds floating around on the internet that are I could spend every one of my weekly columns just trying to set the record straight.

These things usually get passed around from one gullible and naive nitwit to the next. Today I'm addressing one that has been polluting the online world for almost a ...Read more

In January, I was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 60. A non-profit cancer program in my state was able to help me qualify for Medicaid to begin receiving medical treatment since I have a very low income and am uninsured. Right now, I am not paying anything for my cancer treatments. My chemotherapy will begin next week with the ...Read more

There is so much misinformation about the Social Security program and the conduct of the Social Security Administration that I simply cannot keep up with it. I feel bad because I'd like to write my normal columns in which I help my readers understand the intricacies of the program so that they can make the right choices when they file for Social...Read more

from August of 2023. It has been revised and updated.

Hello Toni:

I am a human resources manager for an oil service company and have a question about an employee. He is turning 65 and is still working full time. His situation is unusual because next month he will begin receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer. I am not sure how to advise him ...Read more

I predicted this was going to happen. The public outcry over the repeal of the Government Pension Offset law has begun. I am hearing from more and more people (mostly women) who want to know why retired teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees are getting Social Security spousal and survivor benefits that they can't get...Read more