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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.

Displaying 1104 results

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Retiree travel dreams reimagined

Covid-era restrictions mean those traveling overseas should have backup plans for their health care and finances.

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HHS will not readjust Medicare Part B premiums this year

But it says that Part B premiums are likely to fall in 2023 as a result of cost savings on Aduhelm, a drug to treat Alzheimer's.

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Choosing between survivor and divorced spouse’s benefits

Age, work status and benefit amounts dictate which Social Security benefit to claim first.

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Convergence of health care costs and retirement planning

Software helps advisers incorporate clients' Medicare expenses into their retirement plans.

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2023 Social Security COLA could be biggest in 40 years

The April report on consumer prices suggests inflation could result in an 8.6% cost-of-living adjustment to next year’s benefits.

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Social Security underpaid older children by nearly $60 million

Minor and disabled children are eligible for benefits when a parent retires or dies, and those benefits extend until the child is 18 — or 19 if still in high school.

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Social Security spousal benefits options

The opportunity to use a valuable claiming strategy will soon disappear.

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Social Security rules when divorcing a younger husband

An ex-wife must wait for her former husband to turn 62 to claim benefits on his record.

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Retirees’ financial confidence outpaces that of workers

The pandemic era spotlights the vulnerability of pre-retirees and the resilience of retirees.

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Social Security rules when widows remarry

Survivor benefits can continue for those who wait until they're 60 to wed.