BottomLineInc | What Changes Are Coming to Social Security in 2025?

Published: December 19, 2024

Bottom Line Personal asked Social Security expert Martha Shedden, CRPC, RSSA, about the 2025 Social Security COLA increase as well as three other Social Security changes that are taking effect this year…two potential changes that are under discussion…and key details about the looming issues that could lead to very substantial changes for the Social Security system in the years ahead.

Newsweek | Senate’s Social Security Expansion Bill May Get Vote: Here’s Who’s Impacted

Published: December 13, 2024

“The WEP and GPO rules apply to certain government, state, local jobs – often teachers – who are receiving a pension for their work in those jobs but their employers are not contribute payroll taxes into Social Security,” Martha Shedden, the president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA), told Newsweek. “If they have other work that did contribute into Social Security and are eligible to collect retirement, spousal and/or survivor benefits, these rules can reduce or eliminate those benefits.”

U.S. News & World Report | What Does a Republican-Controlled Government Mean for Retirement?

Published: December 12, 2024

“I do not think it’s possible for much to happen,” says Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts. “Changes to Social Security must be bipartisan, (and) I am not hopeful for a bipartisan effort in the next four years.”

Barron's | Trump Aims to Slash Government Spending. What It Could Mean for Social Security.

Published: December 11, 2024

What’s more, Social Security is notoriously complex. An overworked, harried staff may not ask all the questions necessary to help beneficiaries get everything they’re entitled to, says Martha Shedden, co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts. Survivor benefits are one of the most common sources of incorrect advice, Shedden says.

U.S. News & World Report | Social Security Fairness Act: What It Is and Will It Pass

Published: December 10, 2024

“The WEP can’t completely eliminate that Social Security,” says Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts. The maximum reduction is about $600 right now. But the formula used for the GPO is different. “That can entirely eliminate those benefits, especially spousal benefits,” according to Shedden.

U.S. News & World Report | How to Undo Claiming Social Security Early

Published: November 26, 2024

“You’re allowed to pull your application once and reapply at a later date,” says Martha Shedden, president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts. “If Social Security payments are already hitting your bank account, that money must be repaid. That includes cash withheld by Social Security for Medicare premiums and some Medicare Part A medical expenses.”