Investment News | Social Security do-over: what are your options?

Published: October 23, 2024

According to Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA), retirees have two do-over opportunities once they start collecting benefits.The Social Security Administration (SSA) imposes two conditions that can make you eligible to withdraw your retirement benefits:You have been receiving benefits for not more than 12 months. You have never filed for a withdrawal of benefits.

Barron's | Medicare Gave Them Bad Advice. Now They’re Paying Dearly.

Published: October 20, 2024

Private Social Security and Medicare consultants told Barron’s the SSA more than occasionally gives wrong advice. “People can’t figure out what to do. They call the Social Security Administration and get five different answers if they talk to five different people,” says Martha Shedden, president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, which trains financial professionals on how to handle Social Security issues for their clients.

FA Magazine | The NAIFA Nation Emerges–2024 Conference Review

Published: October 16, 2024

“Thomas Drapala, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Registered Social Security Analysts conducted a powerful keynote presentation on the critical importance of Social Security knowledge for financial advisors to enhance their professional competency, competitive positioning, and help their clients avoid common pitfalls. He emphasized how Social Security serves as the first pivotal decision in retirement planning and why mastery of this area is essential for financial professionals. He further offered how RSSA can equip advisors with the knowledge and tools to differentiate their practice, protect their clients’ interests, and grow their business through Social Security expertise.”

Press Release | RSSA’s Limited-Time Social Security Planning Offer Helps You Navigate 2025 COLA Increase

Published: October 10, 2024

The Social Security Administration announced a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, which will affect the benefits of millions of Americans starting in January. This increase reflects the rising cost of living and will impact Social Security payments and other key figures like maximum taxable earnings and retirement earnings test thresholds. In response, RSSA updated its Roadmap software to include these 2025 adjustments, and for a limited time, RSSA is offering free access to Roadmap software to help you or your clients navigate these changes and maximize benefits. Whether you’re an individual planning for retirement or a financial professional advising clients, RSSA’s Roadmap software allows you to explore personalized filing strategies and ensure you’re making the most informed decisions.

U.S. News & World Report | Here’s How Much Money You Could Lose if Social Security Goes Bankrupt

Published: September 26, 2024

“Social Security cannot go bankrupt. Ever. If bankruptcy means that the program will run out of money, it is not possible,” said Martha Shedden, president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, based in Melville, New York, in an email. “Retirees are being paid partially right now using a surplus of trust funds that have been built up since the 1983 amendments,” she said, adding that the surplus is what the Social Security Administration says will run out in the next decade or so. “However, the program is a pay-as-you-go system with workers paying in what is needed for retirees to be paid their benefits,” Shedden said. “There will still always be workers paying into the system, but there are not enough workers per retiree, meaning that the payments will not be enough to fund 100% of retiree benefits as the laws and rules are now written.”

InsuranceNewsNet | Consumers turn to advisors for answers on Social Security

Published: September 20, 2024

Thomas Drapala, director of strategic partnerships with Registered Social Security Analysts, spoke at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Apex conference about why advisors must position themselves as Social Security experts. Social Security “is relevant to every American,” he said. “Nearly all Americans pay into it. Nearly all Americans will claim it.” More than 67 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, he said, “showing the vast reach and importance of the program for financial advisors.”