Tagged: retirement

• How the Social Security COLA Is Determined

  SSA's COLA formula compares third-quarter CPI-W averages. How the 3.6 percent increase is set, applied to a PIA, and when it reaches payments.

• FEHB Open Season for Federal Retirees and Annuitants

  What OPM states about FEHB Open Season for annuitants: the dates, two deadline times, what happens with no action, and FEHB with Medicare.

• How Social Security Benefits Are Taxed by the IRS

  How the IRS test compares one-half of Social Security benefits plus all other income with a base amount that depends on filing status.

• Medicare Open Enrollment, and the Two Rules Outside It

  Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. What the window lets you change, and the Medigap and drug-coverage rules outside it.

• Old Savings Bonds: Do They Still Earn Interest?

  EE and I bonds earn interest for 30 years from issue; Series A through K bonds and Savings Notes stopped earning. What Treasury's pages say.

• Inherited IRA Rules: How the IRS Sorts Beneficiaries

  What two IRS pages state about inherited IRAs: the December 31, 2019 line, the 10-year rule, and the term eligible designated beneficiary.

• The America the Beautiful Senior Pass, Explained

  What the senior pass is, who the National Park Service says qualifies, the $20 annual and $80 lifetime prices, and the three ways to obtain one.

• How Claiming Age Changes Your Social Security Benefit

  How starting Social Security between 62 and 70 changes your monthly amount: full retirement age by birth year, early reduction, delayed credits.

• Social Security Survivor Benefits: Who Qualifies and When

  Who can claim Social Security survivor benefits, how the 71.5%-100% amount is set, and how age 60, remarriage, and switching rules affect what you receive.

• Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help Explained

  QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI each cover different Medicare costs, and Extra Help lowers drug costs. What each pays and who decides.

• Medicare's Four Parts and When You Can Enroll

  How Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D fit together, plus the enrollment windows that decide when you can first sign up or later switch plans.

• RMD Deadlines: When They Start and What a Miss Costs

  When required minimum distributions start at age 73, the two deadlines that matter, the penalty for missing one, and which accounts are exempt.