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
Graying advisers perform juggling act with baby-boomer, millennial clients
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 18, 2015
Graying advisers perform juggling act with baby-boomer, millennial clients

Working with retirement clients presents great challenges and opportunities. No two clients are alike and they need personalized solutions.

Software companies race to update Social Security advice
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 11, 2015
Software companies race to update Social Security advice

Industry leaders ready with new guidance while others play catch up.

Social Security claiming strategy triage
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 09, 2015
Social Security claiming strategy triage

It's time to figure out if you can still take advantage of valuable claiming strategies before the door shuts forever.

Social Security strategies grandfathered for existing claimants
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 30, 2015
Social Security strategies grandfathered for existing claimants

File and suspend available for six more months.

Game almost over for Social Security claiming strategies
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 28, 2015
Game almost over for Social Security claiming strategies

Congressional budget deal provision could affect current and future retirees.

Software evolving beyond Social Security maximization
NEWS OPINION OCT 26, 2015
Software evolving beyond Social Security maximization

I am always amazed by the brilliance of computer software designers. They can take the most complicated financial planning decisions and reduce them to a one-click — or one-swipe — tool.

Don't abandon Social Security strategy to avoid Medicare hike
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 18, 2015
Don't abandon Social Security strategy to avoid Medicare hike

Short-sighted remedy is like 'prescribing a lobotomy for a headache'.

The Social Security survivor benefit do-over
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 18, 2015
The Social Security survivor benefit do-over

Widows and widowers can repay benefits and collect higher amounts later.

Some retirees could see higher Medicare premiums, reduced Social Security benefits in 2016
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 15, 2015
Some retirees could see higher Medicare premiums, reduced Social Security benefits in 2016

One strategy may protect you from higher premiums next year; the other won't.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 15, 2015
How Social Security claiming strategies affect Medicare premiums

One strategy may protect you from higher premiums in 2016; the other won't.