I would contribute a bit to the fact that younger workers today do not think much about retirement and just worry about their day to day bills and living in a world where a great deal of them seemingly do not even believe that Social Security will be there for them when the time comes. I have to admit that I did not put much thought into it until I turned about 60 and started thinking on the subject of retirement. You are talking about so many folks that do not think about the value of contributing to 401K's, saving for retirement etc. The folks that worry about these things will not suffer much when it becomes time for their retirement. The rest are likely going to be the ones complaining and wanting to ride in the wagon rather than being the ones outside pushing the wagon. I must also say that I cannot blame social media, as that is the main way that I do learn and stay up with SSN as well as other financial subjects i.e taxes, IRMAA, Roth conversions etc. I certainly believe that Julie C is closer to the answer than we would care to admit.
Thanks for the input - I have used TurboTax for years, but will take a look at FreeTaxUSA as well. I must admit I had a good giggle thinking that for seemingly a good portion of those on the thread, like me, have already completed at least 90% of their taxes and are just waiting for the filing day and an item or two to finish it off. I am pretty sure I have calculated mine to within $100 of my final tax bill for 2025.
I know - it sounds like I walked in there with a paper sack full of cash, but instead, I maximized the down payment using a credit card (wanted the points) and then paid the remainder with a check.
I knew that when I purchased my car, I would need to unlock my credit line (even tho I paid cash). I asked the dealer which credit reporting agency they used and only unlocked that one temporarily. I can do this online and only takes a few minutes. What I have learned about my credit score is that as I run all my expenses through credit cards (2 of them for rewards reasons), my monthly cash flow is such that on a monthly basis I can use about 60-70% of my total allocation and then it goes to zero. My credit score is like a yoyo and goes up and down every month by as much as 50 points depending if they check it when I am at a zero balance on my cards or a much higher percentage.
I too looked at my SSA on the Government site and found it to be useful. It provided my total benefit and then broke out Medicare, IRMAA and my withholdings to the dollar and cent. Useful for forward planning. And to no surprise, my monthly benefit went up a whole $4 from last year.
Dave, I did this process a month ago and was able to complete it online. I received my first check very quickly, and they automatically took the Medicare premium from that check. I did have to call them afterwards to start my tax withholding from the amount, and as mentioned, they provide you with four options as to how much you want to withhold from each check. Painless and surprisingly straightforward.
Having paid 50 years into SS, I was happy to work until I reached 70 and then decide - what next? As it turned out I was let go in a downsizing at the age of 66. So after getting my head screwed on straight again I decided to retire. This personal experience left me with the thought that... Everyone should work as long as they have to in order to receive a secure retirement. After that, everyone should work as long as they want to. For each one of us it is different and I would not presume I know what is best for you or anyone else or the circumstances driving those decisions. I did what worked for me
Hard to imagine any trip being anything but magical. Here are my next two trips that I have booked, which may also provide some inspiration for an idea for you. They are both cruises as that has been an easy way to see many places without the need to worry about transportation, hotels, or dining.
Panama Canal Cruise - Miami, Bonaire, Curacao, Cartegana, Panama Canal, Panama City, Panama. 10 Days
Venice, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Sorrento, Rome - 8 days
I have the trip booked. It's a Panama Canal Cruise that departs Miami and ends in Panama City, Panama, 10 Days Later. Along the way, it stops in Bonaire, Curacao, and Cartagena. The trip is on Seabourn with 600 other cruisers.
Comments
I would contribute a bit to the fact that younger workers today do not think much about retirement and just worry about their day to day bills and living in a world where a great deal of them seemingly do not even believe that Social Security will be there for them when the time comes. I have to admit that I did not put much thought into it until I turned about 60 and started thinking on the subject of retirement. You are talking about so many folks that do not think about the value of contributing to 401K's, saving for retirement etc. The folks that worry about these things will not suffer much when it becomes time for their retirement. The rest are likely going to be the ones complaining and wanting to ride in the wagon rather than being the ones outside pushing the wagon. I must also say that I cannot blame social media, as that is the main way that I do learn and stay up with SSN as well as other financial subjects i.e taxes, IRMAA, Roth conversions etc. I certainly believe that Julie C is closer to the answer than we would care to admit.
Post: Why can’t Americans put more effort into understanding Social Security?
Link to comment from October 30, 2026
Thanks for the input - I have used TurboTax for years, but will take a look at FreeTaxUSA as well. I must admit I had a good giggle thinking that for seemingly a good portion of those on the thread, like me, have already completed at least 90% of their taxes and are just waiting for the filing day and an item or two to finish it off. I am pretty sure I have calculated mine to within $100 of my final tax bill for 2025.
Post: Checks and Balances
Link to comment from January 28, 2026
I know - it sounds like I walked in there with a paper sack full of cash, but instead, I maximized the down payment using a credit card (wanted the points) and then paid the remainder with a check.
Post: When is it worth your time to unfreeze your credit score?
Link to comment from November 26, 2025
I do not remember if I gave them my SSN. As the car was also being registered for my tags and title, I suspect they had quite a bit of info on me.
Post: When is it worth your time to unfreeze your credit score?
Link to comment from November 26, 2025
I knew that when I purchased my car, I would need to unlock my credit line (even tho I paid cash). I asked the dealer which credit reporting agency they used and only unlocked that one temporarily. I can do this online and only takes a few minutes. What I have learned about my credit score is that as I run all my expenses through credit cards (2 of them for rewards reasons), my monthly cash flow is such that on a monthly basis I can use about 60-70% of my total allocation and then it goes to zero. My credit score is like a yoyo and goes up and down every month by as much as 50 points depending if they check it when I am at a zero balance on my cards or a much higher percentage.
Post: When is it worth your time to unfreeze your credit score?
Link to comment from November 25, 2025
I too looked at my SSA on the Government site and found it to be useful. It provided my total benefit and then broke out Medicare, IRMAA and my withholdings to the dollar and cent. Useful for forward planning. And to no surprise, my monthly benefit went up a whole $4 from last year.
Post: Your 2026 Social Security Benefit amount
Link to comment from November 25, 2025
Dave, I did this process a month ago and was able to complete it online. I received my first check very quickly, and they automatically took the Medicare premium from that check. I did have to call them afterwards to start my tax withholding from the amount, and as mentioned, they provide you with four options as to how much you want to withhold from each check. Painless and surprisingly straightforward.
Post: Social Security Personal Update
Link to comment from June 13, 2025
Having paid 50 years into SS, I was happy to work until I reached 70 and then decide - what next? As it turned out I was let go in a downsizing at the age of 66. So after getting my head screwed on straight again I decided to retire. This personal experience left me with the thought that... Everyone should work as long as they have to in order to receive a secure retirement. After that, everyone should work as long as they want to. For each one of us it is different and I would not presume I know what is best for you or anyone else or the circumstances driving those decisions. I did what worked for me
Post: Change Lanes, Expand Your Wheelhouse, Learn Some New Tricks
Link to comment from June 11, 2025
Hard to imagine any trip being anything but magical. Here are my next two trips that I have booked, which may also provide some inspiration for an idea for you. They are both cruises as that has been an easy way to see many places without the need to worry about transportation, hotels, or dining.
- Panama Canal Cruise - Miami, Bonaire, Curacao, Cartegana, Panama Canal, Panama City, Panama. 10 Days
- Venice, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Sorrento, Rome - 8 days
Safe Travels!Post: Trips in your “go go” years?
Link to comment from June 11, 2025
I have the trip booked. It's a Panama Canal Cruise that departs Miami and ends in Panama City, Panama, 10 Days Later. Along the way, it stops in Bonaire, Curacao, and Cartagena. The trip is on Seabourn with 600 other cruisers.
Post: Where Next? What Next?
Link to comment from April 3, 2025