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Mary Beth Franklin

Mary Beth Franklin is a Contributing Editor at Investment News specializing in Social Security, Medicare and Retirement income. She has been a financial journalist for more than 40 years, covering everything from federal budget and tax policies as a Capitol Hill reporter for United Press International to consumer finances as a writer and editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Mary Beth became a Certified Financial Planner in 2015 and is an in-demand speaker at conferences for financial professionals as well as a frequent guest on numerous radio and television programs. She is the author of “Maximizing Your Social Security Retirement Benefits” and host of the Retirement Repair Shop podcast. In her free time, Mary Beth likes to read, garden, ski and play the piano. She received a BA in Communications from American University in 1975 where she continues to mentor journalism students.

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Displaying 1104 results

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Helping clients apply for survivor benefits

If a surviving spouse is collecting their own Social Security retirement or disability benefit when their spouse dies, or is not yet collecting Social Security, they will have to apply for survivor benefits.

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What’s new for Social Security and Medicare this year

Not only did Social Security benefits increase in 2023, but Medicare Part B premiums declined for the first time in more than a decade, resulting in larger net Social Security benefits for most retirees.

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Social Security expert starts phased retirement

Mary Beth Franklin, who launched her final career phase as a weekly columnist in 2012, will continue writing a monthly column for InvestmentNews.

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Delaying claiming Social Security beyond age 70

It sounds odd, since delayed retirement credits stop accumulating at age 70, but intentional late filing for benefits can shift income into the next tax year.

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IRMAA notification letters outline Medicare costs for 2023

Your clients may be able to appeal an IRMAA surcharge if their income has declined.

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Last chance to switch Medicare drug plans and save

Most beneficiaries who stay in their current plans will pay more in 2023, and Medicare open enrollment, which lets beneficiaries change plans, ends next week.

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Apparent detour opened new career path

Gaining the CFP designation became the fulcrum for a midcareer pivot, but earning it wasn't easy.

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Retiree health care costs to rise despite Medicare premium decline

The one-year drop in premiums does not offset the overall inflation in health care costs.

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No need to claim Social Security to cash in on COLA

Anyone who's 62 or older in 2023 will benefit from the 8.7% cost-of-living increase to benefits that was recently announced for next year by the Social Security Administration.

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Deciphering a cryptic letter from Social Security

It’s a good idea to hold on to correspondence from the Social Security Administration to keep track of your benefits and understand any changes in the monthly amount.

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