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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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What’s new for Medicare open enrollment

Most beneficiaries don't switch plans during the annual open enrollment period, but retirees can save money by reviewing their drug coverage options.

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Social Security announces 8.7% COLA for 2023

Next year's cost-of-living adjustment will be the largest increase in retirement benefits and taxable wages in 42 years.

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Year-end tax planning for retirees

Tax-loss harvesting and charitable contributions can lower what retirees owe the IRS.

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From the Great Resignation to unretirement

Boomerang workers may have to rethink their plans for claiming Social Security.

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New tool helps define retirement income styles

The Retirement Income Style Awareness profile matrix matches clients' preferences with financial solutions.

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Clients want advice about their Medicare options

Most advisers agree they should be providing health care advice, but they say they need better tools.

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Social Security minimum benefit rule for survivors

Widows and widowers can boost their survivor benefits by waiting until their full retirement age to claim.

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Make the right initial Medicare decision

As clients consider the different types of coverage, they need to ask the correct questions and observe sign-up deadlines.

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Social Security spousal benefits explained

It seems like a good time to review the who, what, when and how much of Social Security spousal benefits, and the different rules — and benefit amounts — for spouses versus survivors.

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Two ways to reverse a Social Security claiming decision

Beware of accidentally disenrolling in Medicare. If you keep Medicare coverage, you will need to pay your premiums directly to CMS.