Find New Get What’s Yours Content at My Substack Page

I am no longer posting new pieces here, and have moved new content to Substack as of April 23. 2022. The Ask Phil archive continues to be updated, and is available to paying Substack subscribers.  
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Social Security, Medicare Numbers to Know in 2020

Social Security The Social Security COLA (cost of living adjustment) for 2020 is 1.6 percent. The average monthly benefit as of January was $1,503, up from $1,479 a year earlier. Here are other key 2020 metrics: Earnings ceiling for payroll taxes: $137,700, up from $132,900 in 2019. Earnings…
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What does 2019 bring for Medicare and Social Security?

As 2019 begins, expecting much from our gridlocked government on Medicare and Social Security seems wishful thinking. But the new year will usher in a slew of new cost and benefit levels. The numbers change every year. I know that, like me, you have trouble keeping track because you ask me about them…
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Social Security, Medicare announce key 2019 numbers

The Social Security COLA (cost of living adjustment) will be 2.8 percent. The average 2018 benefit of $1,422 a month thus will rise to $1,461 in 2019. This is up from 2 percent last year and is the largest adjustment since 2011. Medicare announced that the 2019 standard monthly premium for Part B…
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Watchdog reports reveal problems at the strained, underfunded Social Security Administration

Reports of Social Security’s financial problems appear like clockwork, yet the agency’s enormous operational issues receive little attention. Long before 2034 – the currently projected year in which the program will run short of funds – the agency may cease to effectively serve the older and…
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Your Social Security and Medicare Questions Answered

The complexities and oddities of Medicare and Social Security represent a seemingly endless source of reader questions, puzzlement, and anger. To ruin a perfectly good holiday sentiment, verily, my mailbox runneth over! As 2018 gets under way, there is little chance that readers will run out of questions.…
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