Social Security

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Social Security Checklist

The Social Security Checklist is a guide to claiming your Social Security benefits and includes a short checklist to help you along the way.

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Retirement Article

October 15, 2020

Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2021

Last week the Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA, beginning in January 2019. It’s the biggest increase since 2012.

Retirement Article

August 17, 2018

Are You Prepared to Claim Social Security?

On August 14, 1935 Social Security became reality and is now a major part of our retirement system and welfare system.

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Estate Planning Article

January 25, 2022

How Much Should You Have in Retirement Savings by Age?

Wanting to know how much you should have in retirement savings by age is a simple question to ask, but there are several questions that need to be asked before that to help get your unique answer. We'll take you through some of those questions and provide a hypothetical scenario of what retirement savings by age journey can look like.

Estate Planning Article

January 13, 2022

What Is the Guided Retirement System?

You’ve probably heard Dean Barber and Bud Kasper mention the Guided Retirement System several times on America’s Wealth Management. Here is their step-by-step breakdown of the Guided Retirement System to ensure people understand what it is all about.

Retirement Article

December 27, 2021

Reviewing Your Retirement Checklist for 2022

As we begin 2022, we want to review your retirement checklist. While we want to put you in a successful financial position for the new year, we’re focused primarily on helping you live your one best financial life throughout your retirement. Our Retirement Plan Checklist can help you do exactly that.

Investments Article

December 2, 2021

Safe Withdrawal Rates

Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss safe withdrawal rates and why they should be different for each person based on their financial plan.

Retirement Article

November 18, 2021

Making the Most of Market Opportunities

A financial plan can make a world of difference, especially when you're making the most of market opportunities. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper look at some of those opportunities, as well as ones outside of the market, to help you live your one best financial life.

Retirement Article

October 19, 2021

Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment Set for 5.9% Increase in 2022

The Social Security Administration announced that the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will increase 5.9% in 2022, which is the biggest annual uptick in 40 years.

Investments Article

October 12, 2021

Predicting the Future of Your Retirement

There is contrast between the uncertainties in retirement and your career. Learn more about how you can predict the future of your retirement.

Retirement Article

July 30, 2021

Retiring with $1 Million

What could retirement look like with $1 million? We're going to show you four different couples. One couple, which we referred to as the average couple, with a 60/40 portfolio, claiming Social Security at 62, would be able to spend $3.5 million over a lifetime.

Retirement Article

July 30, 2021

How $750k Can Go as Far as $1 Million in Retirement

Would you rather have $750,000 or $1 million? On its face, this question seems like a no-brainer. One million dollars is a larger number than $750,000, so that has to be the correct answer – right?

Investments Article

March 25, 2021

Income in a Low Interest Rate Environment

We've been in a low interest rate environment for quite some time, but we're in a little bit different situation today than we have been, say, over the last decade.

Insurance Article

February 25, 2021

Top 10 Risks in Retirement

When you ask the question, "What's your biggest fear in retirement?" Most people will say it's the fear of running out of money. Join Dean Barber and Bud Kasper, as they talk about the top 10 risks in retirement and what you can do to mitigate those risks.

Investments Article

February 11, 2021

11 Tax Tips for Tax Time

It's everyone's favorite time of year, it's tax time! Well, maybe not. Join Dean Barber and JoAnn Huber, CPA and CFP®, as they discuss 11 tax tips for tax time. Believe it or not, what you're doing during tax season is reporting history. The question really is: What can you do to reduce your tax bill in the future?

Retirement Article

October 22, 2020

Top 5 Money Mistakes to Avoid in Retirement

There are some things that can be downright frightening for those of you planning for retirement. Let's take a look at some of the money mistakes to avoid that go bump in the night for retirees.

Social Security Article

October 16, 2020

The Future of Social Security

The future of Social Security has been a topic of discussion and a playground of endless speculation for as long as most of us can remember. It's difficult to think of another financial/political issue that has been the center of as much attention as this one. And for good reason.

Estate Planning Article

October 15, 2020

Top 10 Financial Planning Considerations

It's National Financial Planning Month! Join Dean Barber and Bud Kasper as they outline the top ten financial planning considerations. This is by no means a complete list of everything you need to do, but if you get these top ten in your financial plan, it can help you get clarity, confidence, and control for your retirement.

Estate Planning Article

June 19, 2020

7 Retirement Strategies to Retire Successfully

This list of strategies will hopefully give you a great place to start if you're getting ready to retire or just curious about preparing for retirement. Our goal is to provide you with simple yet effective retirement strategies that do not only focus on investment tactics or savings percentages. Instead, we hope to give you a toolbox of strategies for retirement with which you can combine to build the retirement of your dreams.

Estate Planning Article

March 4, 2021

20 Things to Do Before You Retire in the 2020s

Well, here we are approaching the close of another decade. As many often do near the end of a milestone, we’re doing a countdown. However, this countdown isn’t looking back over the past decade, but rather forward toward the decade on the horizon. New decades often mean new goals, and for many, it’s likely the ultimate goal during our working years, retirement.

Social Security Article

October 24, 2019

Social Security Changes for 2020

The Social Security Administration recently detailed changes to Social Security beneficiaries going into effect at the end of 2019. Starting December 31, 2019, beneficiaries will see an increase in their monthly benefit amounts by 1.6% compared to 2019. For reference, last year's benefits increased by 2.8%, the largest increase since 2011.

Retirement Article

June 7, 2019

Social Security Trust Fund in the News Again

You're probably aware that there are numerous issues surrounding the Social Security Trust Fund, and its ability to pay benefits into the future. Just this past April, the annual Social Security Trustees’ report pegs the trust fund to be depleted by 2035. There’s been a lot of talk about “fixes” for the system.

Investments Article

March 22, 2019

DIY Your Retirement, Can it Really Be Done?

There are thousands of online resources and books that claim to teach you how to DIY (do-it-yourself) your retirement. But is it really possible and does it work?

Retirement Article

October 15, 2020

Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2021

Last week the Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA, beginning in January 2019. It’s the biggest increase since 2012.

Retirement Article

October 26, 2018

Questions About Social Security?

We know Social Security is a complicated system with many rules, regulations, and year-over-year changes. That’s why we regularly bring you articles covering questions that might be top-of-mind for you on claiming your benefits.

Retirement Article

August 17, 2018

Are You Prepared to Claim Social Security?

On August 14, 1935 Social Security became reality and is now a major part of our retirement system and welfare system.

Estate Planning Article

July 5, 2018

Navigating Toward Your Financial Independence Day

In July 1776 our founding fathers declared independence from the British Empire, and earlier this week we celebrated that great feat with our family and friends over backyard barbecue and colorful explosions in the sky.

Retirement Article

September 22, 2017

When is My Social Security Break-Even Point?

The breakeven point for a single individual is a fairly simple calculation. The actuaries at the Social Security Administration designed the system so that a person living to the current life expectancy, based on the current mortality tables provided by the US government, will have received the same amount out of Social Security by everyone who reaches life expectancy age.

Retirement Article

September 15, 2017

Is Social Security Tax-Free?

A very common question we are asked at Barber Financial Group is if Social Security is tax free. The quick answer is: If the only income you have is Social Security you will not pay any taxes on your Social Security.

Retirement Article

August 17, 2017

Retirement Age and Claiming Social Security

Many people believe that the date that they should claim Social Security is synonymous with the day that they retire. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Retirement Article

June 23, 2017

How is Social Security Taxed?

A common question we receive at Barber Financial Group is “How will my Social Security be taxed?”

Retirement Article

June 14, 2017

How do I get more Social Security?

Social Security is a very complex system. Social Security was originally formed to allow older workers to exit the workforce without the risk of running out of money in retirement, while allowing room for younger workers to come into the workforce.

The Guided Retirement Show

Social Security Podcast

August 30, 2021

How to Claim the Most from Your Social Security with Marc Kiner & Jim Blair

Episode 49 | Marc Kiner & Jim Blair - Social Security Experts
In this episode, we explore the many different options retirees have when it comes to claiming Social Security. We get into how Social Security is taxed, why different types of retirement income don’t play nice together, and how to put a stop to preventable losses and make the most of this extraordinarily complex program.

Social Security Podcast

October 16, 2020

How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits with Marc Kiner & Jim Blair

Episode 34 - Marc Kiner | CPA at Premier Social Security Consulting LLC & Jim Blair | Lead Consultant at Premier Social Security Consulting LLC

Today, Marc and Jim join the podcast to talk about the major mistakes that people make as they claim Social Security, how to craft a strategy designed to avoid these pitfalls once and for all, and how to find an advisor who can help you navigate this astoundingly complex system.

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PDF Document

Social Security Decisions Guide

Regardless if Social Security will or will not be your primary source of income in retirement, if you take your Social Security benefits at face value you could be leaving money on the table.

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PDF Document

5 Things Retirees Should Know About Social Security

Social Security provides an important source of guaranteed income for most Americans. Choosing an appropriate claiming strategy is even more important under new Social Security regulations.

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Video

Claiming Your Social Security

In this webinar, Will Doty, CFP®, discusses the importance of properly claiming your Social Security. During this on-demand webinar, Will covers the differences in claiming strategies, spousal situations, the impact of Social Security on taxes, and more. This webinar is designed to give you a better understanding of how Social Security fits into your overall financial plan.

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Video

Savvy IRA Planning for Boomers

Financial Advisor Drew Jones presents an updated version of our Savvy IRA Planning for Boomers webinar. IRA Planning is a complex process. Factor in recent changes from the SECURE Act, and it gets even further complicated. We're here to clear up the noise as Drew presents Savvy IRA Planning for Boomers.

Watch the Video

Video

Retirement Plan Checklist

Financial Advisor Logan DeGraeve presents the Retirement Plan Checklist webinar. In this webinar, Logan will review some of the questions in the checklist as well as things you need to be thinking about in the years leading up to retirement.

Watch the Video