Author Archives: Backnineadmin

Why 60 Is More Important Than 65

February 19, 2026 by Backnineadmin
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The Most Dangerous Retirement Age Cigarettes carry a warning label: Smoking can be hazardous to your health. If retirement decisions carried one, it might read: Major financial decisions made at 60 can permanently affect the rest of your life. Back in 2004 when I started Back 9 Financial it was done as a metaphor to life.  On the Front 9 one accumulates assets and on the Back 9 one needs to use the accumulated assets to create a lifetime income!  I consider age 60 to Continue reading →

When Will Congress Get a Round Tuit?

January 27, 2026 by Backnineadmin
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On my desk sits a round poker chip with the word TUIT painted on it. Whenever someone says, “I’ll get around to it,” I can hand them one. It usually gets a smile—but it also makes a point. For decades, Congress has promised to “get around to” fixing Social Security. And for decades, meaningful action has been postponed. In today’s hyper-political environment—where agreement between parties in either the House or the Senate has become increasingly rare—solving the pending Social Security shortfall has grown more ominous, Continue reading →

The Back 9 of Life

December 19, 2025 by Backnineadmin
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A Year-End Reflection on Time, Gratitude, and What Truly Matters As we come to the end of another year, it feels only appropriate to pause—not to rush ahead to resolutions or forecasts—but to take stock. To reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and how we want to step into the year ahead. Last month, while unpacking boxes after our move, I came across a letter I had saved. I don’t remember exactly when it first found its way into my hands, but rereading Continue reading →

2026 Changes to Social Security

November 25, 2025 by Backnineadmin
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As we come to the end of another year, I thought it most appropriate to see what changes we’ll see in Social Security for 2026; Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Benefits will rise by 2.8% beginning January 2026, reflecting the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). Example: A $2,000 monthly benefit in 2025 will become $2,056 in 2026 Observation:  Many individuals don’t realize that even if you’re not receiving benefits the COLA increases will still be added to your benefits when you do file.  Thus, if Continue reading →

“I didn’t know that!”

October 23, 2025 by Backnineadmin
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While attending my brother in law, David’s Celebration of Life this past weekend in Sarasota, I had the opportunity to visit with both his current wife (Kathy) and his ex (Julie) whom they share 2 children with.  Being somewhat inquisitive and wanting to make small talk, I asked both ladies separately about their plans for claiming Social Security benefits.  Here are their responses; Current Wife (Kathy 71) This was easy since she claimed upon her own record back at age 62.  Her own benefits were Continue reading →

Happy 90th Birthday – Social Security

September 22, 2025 by Backnineadmin
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On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Ninety years later, on August 14, 2025, the nation paused to honor its legacy. In his original signing statement, Roosevelt called the act “a cornerstone in a structure which is being built but is by no means complete.” He was right. For nine decades, Social Security has stood as one of America’s most enduring promises: that after a lifetime of work, citizens should not face old age in poverty. Today Continue reading →

Social Security & One Big, Beautiful Bill

August 22, 2025 by Backnineadmin
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“And now the rest of the story”    Paul Harvey In what’s being hailed as a major policy win for retirees, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill—a sweeping piece of legislation that promises long-awaited tax relief for millions of older Americans. With bold language and celebratory tone, the SSA declared that the bill “ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits,” adding that the law delivers “meaningful Continue reading →

Retired But Not Expired – Part 2: Purpose Never Retires

July 14, 2025 by Backnineadmin
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“If we don’t retire from purpose, what exactly are we called into?” The world has sold us a shallow vision of retirement: one that exchanges purpose for passivity, calling for comfort, meaning for maintenance. But the soul longs for more. We were made in the image of a Creator—not to coast, but to contribute. Not to shrink, but to serve. And while the paycheck may stop, the calling never retires. One of the most sobering examples of this truth is personal. A Tribute to David Continue reading →

Retired But Not Expired – Part 1 The Myth of Leisure and the Truth of Purpose

June 23, 2025 by Backnineadmin
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“Lord, thank you for another day not promised.” That quiet prayer—spoken regularly by a general in our Friday morning men’s prayer group—stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it. It wasn’t dramatic or lengthy. Just simple. Reverent. Grateful. But in ten words, it captured a truth that far too many ignore in retirement: that life is not owed to us, and every day we wake up is a divine opportunity. The tragedy is, many people waste these opportunities the moment they retire. Continue reading →

Waiting Until Age 70 to Claim – Revisited!

May 26, 2025 by Backnineadmin
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Over the past 10+ years of consulting on when to claim, I have in most cases recommended that the higher earning spouse delay claiming on their own record until they reached at 70.  The reason was twofold;  #1  I wanted to earn the 8% per year delayed credits between age 66 – 70  and  #2  Upon the death of either spouse the surviving spouse inherited the greater of the two benefits, but not both. In the vast majority of cases the husband has earned more, Continue reading →