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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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Social Security in 2024 and beyond

Benefits will be higher next year, but long-term financial concerns persist.

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Social Security do-overs and lump sums 

People who claimed Social Security early and now regret it have two opportunities to reverse that decision.

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Social Security rules on kids’ benefits

Caregiving parents may receive benefits regardless of their age.

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Social Security’s crucial role shadowed by new doubts

Crisis of confidence in the program is prompting many to claim benefits early.

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Getting Medicare premiums refunded after death

Survivors can apply for a refund of the deceased person's unused premiums.

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Social Security rules for divorced spouses

First rule: There must be at least a decade between 'I do' and 'I don’t.'

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Last chance for Social Security claiming strategy

While the rules for claiming Social Security will get a bit simpler starting in 2024, clients will continue to need advice on the best time to claim benefits.

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Why some public employees can’t collect Social Security

The Windfall Elimination Provision reduction rules affect about 2 million people or about 3% of Social Security beneficiaries.

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Navigating through the Medicare maze

Miss your seven-month initial enrollment period and you may face lifelong enrollment penalties and delayed coverage.

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Now’s the time to talk about the future of Social Security

The InvestmentNews staff plans to ask policy and financial experts in the coming months about their vision for the future of Social Security in the 21st century.