Social Security Works For Everyone

Social Security expansion is back on the agenda, at a time when Americans need it more than ever—here’s what it should look like (and why it matters to everyday people all over the country) “Altman and Kingson cut through the fog of calculated confusion and outright lies about Social Security.”—David Cay Johnston, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author The COVID-19 crisis has pulled the curtain back on America’s looming retirement income crisis, a fraying of the national community, and ever-worsening income inequality. Never before have so many people’s livelihoods and futures been thrown into flux. Now more than ever, expanding Social Security is essential to addressing these challenges. Social Security Works for Everyone!, an evolution of the argument Nancy J. Altman and Eric R. Kingson made in their acclaimed first book, Social Security Works!, presents the case for expanding Social Security, explaining why monthly benefits need to be increased; why Americans need national paid family leave, sick leave, and long term care protections; and how we can pay for it all. Don’t believe the nearly four-decade, billionaire-funded campaign to convince us that the program is destined to collapse. It isn’t. At a time when growing numbers of Americans are seeing beyond the false choice between financial security for working people and financial security for the federal government, this book eloquently makes the case that universal programs that benefit all Americans (yes, even the rich) make our country stronger and our lives more secure. Social Security works because it embodies the best of American values—the ones that will allow Americans to obtain financial security and weather the next crisis.

A growing chorus of prominent voices in Congress and elsewhere are calling for the expansion of our Social Security system—people who know that Social Security will not “go broke” and does not add a penny to the national debt. Social Security Works! will amplify these voices and offer a powerful antidote to the three-decade-long, billionaire-funded campaign to make us believe that this vital institution is destined to collapse. It isn't. From the Silent Generation to Baby Boomers, from Generation X to Millennials and Generation Z, we all have a stake in understanding the real story about Social Security. Critical to addressing the looming retirement crisis that will affect two- thirds of today's workers, Social Security is a powerful program that can help stop the collapse of the middle class, lessen the pressure squeezing families from all directions, and help end the upward redistribution of wealth that has resulted in perilous levels of inequality. All Americans deserve to have dignified retirement years as well as an umbrella to protect them and their families in the event of disability or premature death. Sure to be a game-changer, Social Security Works! cogently presents the issues and sets forth both an agenda and a political strategy that will benefit us all. At stake are our values and the kind of country we want for ourselves and for those that follow.

A broad, accessible introduction to the benefit system in Britain which can help readers to make sense of the system in practice.

Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works and renowned Social Security expert, brings us her third book, in which she uses the founders' own words to debunk myths and reveal the truth about the most popular and successful government program in our nation's history.

Helps those nearing retirement make the best decisions about their Social Security benefits by detailing techniques and options like “file and suspend” and “start stop start” to maximize their benefit income for a variety of different life situations.

Drawing on the author's expertise and the personal Social Security stories of real women, this book opens the door on how Social Security works for women regardless of your life's journey. It's for you if you're married, divorced, widowed, or single and will take some of the mystery out of this complex yet critical income source.

All the essential information everyone should know about social security, from maximizing benefits to planning and budgeting for a healthy, happy retirement. Nearly 70 million American citizens—1 in 5 people in the US—receive social security benefits each month, and that number is increasing rapidly. With so many people drawing from the system, it's critical for anyone about to start receiving benefits to be well-informed and prepared, and for anyone already receiving social security to make sure they're aware of how to maximize their benefits and to plan ahead for the future. In Social Security for Everyone, lawyer and bestselling author Carl W. Battle's clear, matter-of-fact explanations will prepare any reader to deal with and understand every aspect of social security benefits. Important topics covered include: How to apply for social security Why many people never receive social security benefits How to maintain independence while receiving social security benefits Breakdowns of social security benefits for families, survivors, and the disabled Taxes and social security and how they interact How to manage and deal with the Social Security Administration Social Security for Everyone also includes dozens of crucial charts, graphs, and tables to help readers plan for retirement, budget for different situations, and maximize their benefits. It's essential reading for anyone preparing to use social security benefits and everyone who is already receiving social security, as well as anyone who wants to know more about this invaluable system.

"The rules relating to social security are long, complex, and dry. This book distills the most relevant parts into a guide that is easy to follow." Brandon Renfro, Ph.D. NOW UPDATED FOR 2021!! Devin Carroll brings you a condensed, straightforward guide that gives you the nine essentials that everyone should know to navigate the maze of Social Security with confidence (without getting lost in the tangled web of Social Security rules). If you want to make sure you don't leave your Social Security benefits to chance, reading this book is a great first step in achieving that goal. The Cure for Complexity When Carroll first started studying Social Security, the massive website and rule book left him feeling like he was trying to drink from a fire hose. It was just too much information to make sense of all at once, and left him feeling overwhelmed. Sound familiar? Carroll's later experiences with clients who were distressed, confused, and burned by the Social Security system convinced him that something must be done to help people take the overly complex, verbose, and altogether unruly Social Security rules and distill them down into something simple, actionable, and understandable. After spending the last several years studying, speaking, and writing on Social Security, Carroll discovered that most questions on the topic could be answered through a solid understanding of the basics. That's what Carroll promises to teach you in this book: the essential knowledge you need to. In each chapter, Carroll details the specifics behind the rules, calculations, exceptions, and necessary information so you can correctly identify your own benefit, understand when you're entitled to more, make the best decision on when to file, and more. What others are saying... "Devin Carroll is the perfect person to untangle Social Security's mumbo-jumbo. He makes the rules simple to understand, taking concepts most people mess up and laying them out in an easy to understand format. Bravo!" Joe Saul-Sehy, Stacking Benjamins Podcast Creator and Host "Devin's book, Social Security Basics, is an indispensable resource in helping you make smart, informed decisions about your Social Security benefits so you'll have a more confident and comfortable retirement ahead of you." Russ Thornton, WealthcareForWomen.com "Making decisions about Social Security benefits can be intimidating but it doesn't have to be. This is a fantastic book to explain what you really need to know." David Waldrop, CFP - The Astute Advisor Blog and Bridgeview Capital Advisors