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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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Medicare do-over season

Those who missed enrolling in the program when they were first eligible get a second chance during Medicare's general enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 through March 31 each year.

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Public slow to embrace Social Security’s online tools

Financial advisers could fill the void when it comes to clients' questions about when to claim benefits.

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Widow’s dilemma: When to claim Social Security

Survivors are subject to an earnings limit if they claim the benefit before reaching full retirement age.

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Social Security offices to remain closed indefinitely

The agency has not set a reentry date for in-person appointments, although some executives have returned to their offices as of December.

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2022 outlook for Social Security

There's good and bad news on the horizon, including the biggest annual cost-of-living increase in 40 years, but also an offsetting rise in Medicare premiums.

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Some Social Security checks to decline in 2022 due to IRMAA

Medicare high-income surcharges combined with higher Medicare premiums will take a bigger chunk of retirement benefits in the new year.

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Demand for Social Security advice increases

The pandemic is boosting retirement among baby boomers, as well as their questions about when to claim benefits.

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Caregivers in the spotlight

November is National Family Caregivers Month, celebrating the more than 53 million people in the U.S. who currently provide unpaid care to a relative or friend.

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Medicare premiums, IRMAA surcharges to rise in 2022

The 15% hike in the Medicare Part B premium is one of the largest annual increases in Medicare’s history, as COVID-related expenses and a new Alzheimer drug drive costs higher.

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Confusion about Medicare plagues older workers

Contributions to health savings accounts can trip up enrollment after the age of 65.