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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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Mary Beth Franklin: The question Social Security calculators can’t answer

Life expectancy -- and life expectations -- crucial when devising claiming strategies

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The most misunderstood Social Security rule

Mary Beth Franklin uncovers the most misunderstood Social Security rule. It has to do with when a spouse can and should claim retirement bennies.

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Mary Beth Franklin: No mulligan after claiming spousal benefits early

But sometimes it's smart for one spouse to file before reaching 66

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Next benefit fortress to fall: Employee health insurance

Workplace-based health insurance is following in the footsteps of retirement benefits. In response to rising premiums over…

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Mary Beth Franklin: Social Security benefits include past inflation adjustments

COLA preserves value of spousal benefit for couples with wide age gaps.

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Mary Beth Franklin: Change the conversation about retirement planning

Every financial adviser knows that one of the best ways to minimize investment risk is to diversify among…

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Fewer options for altering spousal Social Security claims

R eaders come up with the best questions. Sarah, a financial adviser in Los Angeles, is…

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Social Security rules for divorced spouses

I received a question from an adviser in California today that broke my heart. Donna wanted to know…

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Divorced man takes advantage of spousal benefit strategy

Okay guys, listen up. This one’s for you. I received a great e-mail from one of my loyal…

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Why we need to fix Social Security now

The longer we wait, the more painful the solutions will be.