Social Security For Dummies

Get the benefits you’ve earned Social Security For Dummies is the one guide you need to navigate the often-complex world of Social Security retirement benefits. This updated edition offers clear guidance on when to claim benefits, how much you can expect to receive, where to find Social Security calculators, and so much more. Since its inception in the 1930s, workers across the United States have set aside a portion of their wages to fund the Social Security Administration. For many, Social Security forms the foundation for their retirement funds. Social Security For Dummies provides you with all the information you need to take charge of your retirement, maximize your financial well-being, and successfully navigate the U.S. Social Security Administration. You’ll get up-to-date information to: Make your way around the Social Security website Know your Social Security options—including retirement, survivor, spousal, and disability benefits Find resources when you’re stumped Get answers to common questions Retirement is meant to be enjoyed, and Social Security For Dummies makes it easier.

Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781119293392) was previously published as Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781119079422). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. Make your way through the Medicare maze with help from For Dummies America's baby boomers are now turning 65 at the rate of about 10,000 a day. Yet very few have any idea about how Medicare works, when they should sign up, or how the program fits in with other health insurance they may have. Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition provides a detailed road map for navigating Medicare's often-baffling complexities and helps consumers avoid pitfalls that could otherwise cost them dearly. In plain language, the new edition explains: How to qualify for Medicare, according to your personal circumstances, including new information on the rights of people in same-sex marriages When to sign up at the time that’s right for you, to avoid lifelong late penalties How to weigh Medicare’s many options so you can be confident of making the decision that's best for you What Medicare covers and what you pay, with up-to-date details of the costs of premiums, deductibles, and copays—and how you may be able to reduce those expenses By conveying not only the basics but also how to troubleshoot problems and where to find assistance, Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition helps you to get the most out of Medicare.

A guide to Social Security benefits for retirees, dependents, and the disabled covers the filing process, eligibility, Medicare, earnings limits, retirement planning, and related questions.

Find all of the following, explained in plain-English: How your Social Security retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and widow/widower benefits are calculated How your benefits are affected if you have a government pension or if you continue working while claiming Social Security How to decide when is the best age for you (and your spouse, if you're married) to claim Social Security in order to get the most out of your benefits Whether or not it makes sense to take Social Security early in order to invest the money How to check your earnings record on the Social Security Administration's website to make sure you're getting the full benefit you deserve How Social Security benefits are taxed and how this affects retirement tax planning Please note that this book does not cover Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Advice and guidance on planning for retirement Retirement Planning For Dummies is a one-stop resource to get up to speed on the critical steps needed to ensure you spend your golden years living in the lap of luxury—or at least in the comfort of your own home. When attempting to plan for retirement, web searching alone can cause you more headaches than answers, leaving many to feel overwhelmed and defeated. This book takes the guesswork out of the subject and guides readers while they plan the largest financial obligation of their life. Take stock of your finances Proactively plan for your financial future Seek the help of professionals or go it alone Use online tools to make retirement planning easier Whether you're just starting out with a 401(k) or you’re a seasoned vet with retirement in your near future, this book helps younger and older generations alike how to plan their retirement.

Why look into annuities? If you’re a Baby Boomer with little or no pension and most of your money in low-interest savings accounts, an annuity may be the key to a secure and comfortable retirement. How can you find out whether an annuity is right for you? Read Annuities For Dummies, 3rd Edition. This completely revised and updated, plain-English guide is packed with the latest information on choosing the best annuity for your retirement needs. You’ll find out exactly what annuities are, whether they’re the right financial vehicle for you, and which of the many annuity options might have your name on it. You’ll learn the ins and outs of using annuities to fund your retirement years, figure out whether to stress investments with insurance or insurance with investments, and find out how the right combination of annuities can help you squeeze more income out of your savings that any other financial tool. Discover how to: Identify the main types of annuities Weigh the pros and cons of annuities for yourself Minimize the complexity and cost of your annuity investment Figure out how much money to commit Avoid common annuity pitfalls Create an income you can’t outlive The time to start securing your financial future is now. Annuities For Dummies, 3rd Edition, gives you knowledge, insider tips, and expert advice you need to make your money do its best for you.

Personal Finance After 50 For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781119543633) was previously published as Personal Finance After 50 For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781119118770). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. Manage your finances in your golden years—enjoy your retirement! Numerous life changes come with the territory of getting older—as we're reminded every day by anti-aging campaigns—but one change the media doesn't often mention is the need for a shifting approach to personal financial management. Personal Finance After 50 For Dummies, 2nd Edition offers the targeted information you need to make informed decisions regarding your investments, spending, and how to best protect your wealth. You've worked your whole life for your nest egg—why not manage it as effectively as possible? Enjoying your golden years hinges on your ability to live the life you've dreamed of, and that's not possible unless you manage your finances accordingly. The right financial decisions may mean the difference between a condo in a more tropical climate and five more years of shoveling snow, so why leave them to chance? Explore financial advice that's targeted to the needs of your generation Understand how changes in government programs can impact your retirement Consider the implications of tax law updates, and how to best protect your assets when filling out tax forms each year Navigate your saving and investment options, and pick the approaches that best fit the economic environment Whether you're heading into your senior years or your parents are getting older and you want to help them take care of their finances, Personal Finance After 50 For Dummies, 2nd Edition offers the insight you need to keep financial matters on the right track!

Get it while you can ... Complex, ever-changing, and controversial, the future of our current system of Social Security and Medicare is uncertain. This indispensable guide explains the proposed changes and current status of these important social programs. Completely revised to incorporate changes to compensation scales and survivor benefits, and with an expanded section on Medicare and the new drug programs, this book is the most up-to-date overview of Social Security and Medicare currently available. * Revised and updated with the latest 2006 statistics on income scales and cost of living; such Social Security Benefits as survivor benefits and disability payments; tax codes; and more * Completely new chapters on Medicare, the Medicare Drug Programs, and the current political climate and proposed changes * Completely revised section on resources