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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Don't wait too long to claim Social Security
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 04, 2019
Don't wait too long to claim Social Security

Delayed retirement credits end at 70, so there's no reason to defer claiming beyond that age.

Calculating Social Security survivor amounts
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 21, 2018
Calculating Social Security survivor amounts

What happens to the survivor if a worker dies before claiming benefits?

For some women, widowhood produces a windfall — and plenty of headaches
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 20, 2018
For some women, widowhood produces a windfall — and plenty of headaches

Women who are beneficiaries of their late husbands' estates could be shocked at how much more they owe in taxes.

Calculating Social Security survivor amounts
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 19, 2018
Calculating Social Security survivor amounts

What happens to the survivor if a worker dies before claiming benefits?

Couples should coordinate Social Security, Medicare decisions
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 14, 2018
Couples should coordinate Social Security, Medicare decisions

Marital status and employment dictate signup deadlines.

Couples should coordinate Social Security, Medicare decisions
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 12, 2018
Couples should coordinate Social Security, Medicare decisions

Marital status and employment dictate signup deadlines.

Anger over Ohio National's attack on VA contracts
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 30, 2018
Anger over Ohio National's attack on VA contracts

Columnist is one of the owners of a VA contract that insurer is cutting fees on.

Why seniors need travel insurance
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 29, 2018
Why seniors need travel insurance

Medicare doesn't cover medical costs outside the U.S.

Medicare enrollment: Prepare or pay the price
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 24, 2018
Medicare enrollment: Prepare or pay the price

With rising health-care costs threatening to derail carefully constructed retirement plans, advisers should ensure clients successfully navigate the process of signing up for Medicare to avoid stiff penalties.

Countdown to Medicare and Social Security checklist
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 24, 2018
Countdown to Medicare and Social Security checklist

Here's what advisers should be reviewing with their clients each year between ages 62 and 70.