Mary Beth Franklin

Mary Beth Franklin is a Contributing Editor at Investment News specializing in Social Security, Medicare and Retirement income. She has been a financial journalist for more than 40 years, covering everything from federal budget and tax policies as a Capitol Hill reporter for United Press International to consumer finances as a writer and editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Mary Beth became a Certified Financial Planner in 2015 and is an in-demand speaker at conferences for financial professionals as well as a frequent guest on numerous radio and television programs. She is the author of “Maximizing Your Social Security Retirement Benefits” and host of the Retirement Repair Shop podcast. In her free time, Mary Beth likes to read, garden, ski and play the piano. She received a BA in Communications from American University in 1975 where she continues to mentor journalism students.

Mary Beth Franklin
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Timing is crucial for Social Security earnings test
NEWS OPINION NOV 26, 2019
Timing is crucial for Social Security earnings test

Higher limits apply in the year a worker reaches full retirement age.

Medicare premium increase and IRMAA surcharges announced for 2020
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 11, 2019
Medicare premium increase and IRMAA surcharges announced for 2020

High-income surcharges will be adjusted for inflation for the first time in a decade

Guiding clients through the Medicare maze
NEWS OPINION NOV 11, 2019
Guiding clients through the Medicare maze

Working with independent health insurance brokers can save time, money.

Medicare premium increase and IRMAA surcharges announced for 2020
NEWS OPINION NOV 11, 2019
Medicare premium increase and IRMAA surcharges announced for 2020

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 24, 2019
Why more seniors are working longer

Improved health, changing job characteristics and Social Security rules are responsible for the graying workforce.

Medicare 2020 open enrollment begins Tuesday
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS OCT 15, 2019
Medicare 2020 open enrollment begins Tuesday

Retirees can save money by reviewing new Medicare advantage and drug plan options for next year.

Social Security COLA for 2020 will be 1.6 percent
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS OCT 10, 2019
Social Security COLA for 2020 will be 1.6 percent

Benefits and taxable wages to increase by the smallest amount in three years.

A new twist on Medicare open enrollment
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 30, 2019
A new twist on Medicare open enrollment

The government projects a decline in premiums next year for Medicare Advantage and drug plans.

Medicare IRMAA surcharges to be adjusted for inflation in 2020
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 16, 2019
Medicare IRMAA surcharges to be adjusted for inflation in 2020

Indexing will slow the rise in Medicare premiums for some retirees.

2020 Social Security COLA expected to be 1.6%
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 12, 2019
2020 Social Security COLA expected to be 1.6%

The unofficial estimate would represent the smallest increase in benefits in three years.