Last Wednesday while speaking at CPE by the SEA, I was visiting with Kristi Ondracek, CFO TXCPA Houston about how AI will change the accounting field.  In our discussion we wondered what AI would say about when to claim Social Security.  We pulled up ChatGPT and asked when one should claim?  The answer; Deciding when to claim Social Security benefits is a personal decision that depends on several factors. Here are some considerations to help you make an informed decision: Full Retirement Age (FRA): Your Continue reading →

Answer:  When is your check out date?  Better Answer:  What’s your joint lives check out date?  If we only knew our check out dates, claiming Social Security would be so easy!  But that begs the question, would we really, really, really want to know?  I’ll error on the side that we wouldn’t want to know, thus we need to look at all the variables before claiming benefits.  This morning I came across article from Think Advisor, as to when you should claim Social Security, these Continue reading →

Over the last 10+ years I’ve been privileged to work with many CPA’s and Financial Advisors in consulting with their clients on Social Security claiming decisions.  I find these consultations extremely enjoyable and rewarding and a great opportunity to use the talents I’ve been entrusted with on my Back 9 Journey.  This last month 2 cases come to mind the really resonate as to why I continue this service. Last summer Freida lost her husband of 47 years, she went to SSA in hopes of Continue reading →

Always Retire at the Beginning of a Bull Market – Sequence of Return Risk If someone had retired in the beginning of 2022, they would have experienced a 9% drop in the DJIA and a 20% loss in the S&P 500.  A 60/40 Stock / Bond  Portfolio was down 16% for the year.  That does not take into account withdraws taken by the retiree to live off of or management charges.  Another way of looking at would be an individual had a $1 million IRA Continue reading →

Happy New Year!  Hard to believe we’re in a New Year!!  Where does time go?  48 years ago this month I started my 1st job out of college with Northwestern Mutual in Oshkosh, Wi.  Don’t ask how that went, but it did serve as a stepping stone into the world of finance which is where I still find myself in 2023.  So where do we find ourselves today? “It ain’t what you know, that gets you in trouble.  It’s what you know that ain’t so.”  Continue reading →

As we come to the close of another year, I thought it only appropriate to update the status of Social Security heading into 2023.  Next month I’ll be speaking to the TXCPA in Houston and the above is the topic for my session taken from that classic western movie starring Clint Eastwood. I’ve got some Good News & I’ve Got Some Bad News On the positive side (GOOD) we’ll all be looking at an 8.7% increase in benefits next year on top of this years Continue reading →

There was an article published the other day in Epoch Times titled “Most Americans lose $180,000 in Social Security Benefits Due to a Key Mistake”.  In a nutshell the premise is that by claiming early they miss out on significant benefits over their lifetime.  Nothing earth shattering here, it’s been my premise since I started consulting on Social Security claiming strategies over 10 years ago.  What was surprising was the reader responses to the article! As of now there are over 600 responses to the Continue reading →

Last week it was announced that there would be an 8.7% increase in Social Security benefits next year on top of last year’s increase of 5.9%.  Now the good news is that there will be an increase, the bad news is that inflation is running at much the same level, so its safe to say at best we’re treading water.  On the flip side if you have a corporate pension, it is highly unlikely you’ve seen any increases at all. Corporate Pensions I was fortunate Continue reading →

I had conversation the other day with a CPA who questioned the need to run an analysis, since some of the claiming strategies (File & Suspend and the Restricted Claiming Provision) that were available have been eliminated.  I agreed with him on those two provisions were extremely attractive, but that there are still a number of reasons, why no one should claim until they run a thorough detailed analysis of all their options.  Here are just a sample of issues that have come up recently; Continue reading →

A Priest, an Accountant and a Doctor  You remember some of the old jokes that started with such a line?  Well in the last month I’ve had conversations with all 3 regarding their plans to retire and claiming of Social Security benefits.  What’s interesting is all 3 want to continue working, but at greatly reduced hours and responsibilities.  Welcome to the future……… Phased Retirement It’s interesting is that these 3 individuals love their current professions, but they desire to eliminate certain aspects of their current Continue reading →