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
Displaying 1064 results
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 26, 2016
Social Security timing can affect Medicare premiums

Should clients claim Social Security now to avoid a Medicare premium hike?

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 21, 2016
New study documents mistakes by Social Security Administration staff

Senate panel urges agency to improve guidance on when to claim benefits after a study by the Government Accountability Office showed government representatives often give out misleading information.

GAO study documents mistakes by Social Security Administration staff
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 20, 2016
GAO study documents mistakes by Social Security Administration staff

Senate panel urges agency to improve guidance on when to claim benefits after a study by the Government Accountability Office showed government representatives often give out misleading information.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 16, 2016
Reforms could solve Social Security funding woes

But high-income retirees might pay more, get less.

How Social Security benefits are calculated
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 14, 2016
How Social Security benefits are calculated

Estimated benefits assume continued earnings through full retirement age.

New Congressional bill addresses Medicare enrollment confusion
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 14, 2016
New Congressional bill addresses Medicare enrollment confusion

An antiquated, overly complex Part B enrollment process contributes to costly enrollment mistakes among many people new to Medicare.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 08, 2016
Protect client assets from aggressive unclaimed property rules

Ignoring proxy letters could lead to lost assets.

Small Social Security cost-of-living adjustment likely for 2017
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 07, 2016
Small Social Security cost-of-living adjustment likely for 2017

But increase would be seven times higher if pegged to Consumer Price Index for the elderly.

How Social Security benefits are calculated
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 01, 2016
How Social Security benefits are calculated

Estimated benefits assume continued earnings through full retirement age.

New Congressional bill addresses Medicare enrollment confusion
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 01, 2016
New Congressional bill addresses Medicare enrollment confusion

An antiquated, overly complex Part B enrollment process contributes to costly enrollment mistakes among many people new to Medicare.