News and Media

Kiplinger | Filed for Social Security Too Soon? 2 Ways to Get a Do-Over

Published: January 31, 2026

Martha Shedden contributed a Kiplinger article explaining what happens if you file too early, when a do-over may be possible, and what retirees should understand before making changes.

San Francisco Chronicle | This might be the smartest way to think about claiming Social Security

Published: January 27, 2026

“If you feel like you need professional help to understand your best claiming strategy, consider finding a Registered SocialSecurity Analyst at
rssa.com”

MarketWatch | I’m retiring at 62 this year with 11-year-old twins. Can they claim Social Security using my benefit?

Published: January 24, 2026

“As for your state pension, it should not affect either your benefits or your children’s benefits, according to Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts.”

AOL | 2027 Social Security COLA: Early forecast points to smaller raise

Published: January 22, 2026

“The COLA applied to beneficiaries’ checks starting in January 2027 will be calculated and announced in October,” says Martha Shedden, president and co-founder at the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts…“Medicare Part B premiums have the largest impact on the net amount of retirees’ Social Security income since those premiums are deducted from the Social Security checks,” says Shedden.

ThinkAdvisor | Social Security Slashed Staff Amid Claims of Massive Fraud. Now What?

Published: January 9, 2026

“Retirement planning experts like Jason Fichtner, a former acting deputy commissioner of Social Security, and Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, were deeply troubled at the time. They worried that the combination of toxic rhetoric and actual workforce disruptions would jeopardize the SSA’s ability to deliver benefits and effectively serve its many millions of beneficiaries. Fast forward to early 2026 and the situation has improved, both Fichtner and Shedden recently told ThinkAdvisor, especially with respect to the spread of untrue information about the program from the highest levels of the federal government. The program’s funding outlook remains bleak, they warned, but conditions at the SSA itself appear to have stabilized.”

ThinkAdvisor | Social Security Crunch Time Is Just a Senate Term Away

Published: January 9, 2026

Shedden, the founder and president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, balanced optimism with real concerns. “I’m still optimistic because of the political power and relevance of older Americans who want to see their benefits protected,” Shedden said. “I’m also encouraged because, as was identified in the 2025 Trustees’ report, there are a significant number of interconnected policy levers that could be pulled to correct the program. For example, we could eliminate the Social Security maximum taxable wage while slowly raising the payroll tax. That would make a big difference.”