Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966, Medicare now covers nearly all Americans over age 65. And they’ll need the help: Projections indicate that a healthy couple who retired in 2019 could expect to spend over $385,000 in insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs to cover their healthcare needs.
Social Security: What’s It Worth to Me?
Retirement planners often refer to the “three-legged stool” of retirement income: pensions (now 401(k) funds for most workers), private savings and Social Security. As one of a trio of legs, Social Security was never meant to be the single source of support in retirement.
Perhaps you’ve lost a job, faced an illness or have been delt a family crisis that emptied out your emergency fund. What are your next steps?
You’re eyeing center-hall colonials in your neighborhood and dreaming about the garden you want to plant in the backyard and all the holiday celebrations you’ll host. You’ve saved toward this goal and think you’re ready to pull the trigger. But the real question is: How much house can I afford?
Or is it?
Social Security’s financial cliff is coming closer into view. Experts project that the fund that pays for government retirement benefits through FICA taxes will be depleted within the next 15 years.
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