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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Delaying Social Security may boost Medicare costs
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING AUG 19, 2015
Delaying Social Security may boost Medicare costs

Clients who elected to file and suspend their Social Security benefits will be hit with a big Medicare Part B increase next year but don't panic. Delaying is still a good strategy.

Then and now: A look back at Social Security's 80-year history
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING AUG 18, 2015
Then and now: A look back at Social Security's 80-year history

The program's anniversary underscores its crucial role in retirement security.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING AUG 11, 2015
Lessons from Social Security's 80-year history

The program's anniversary underscores its crucial role in retirement security.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING AUG 10, 2015
Retirement tradeoff: Delaying Social Security may increase Medicare costs

There is reason to worry about impact of file-and-suspend strategy on 2016 health-care premiums.

No Social Security cost-of-living adjustment expected for 2016
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING AUG 07, 2015
No Social Security cost-of-living adjustment expected for 2016

High-income retirees could see net benefits decline as their Medicare premiums rise.

Social Security cost-of-living adjustment unlikely for 2016
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING AUG 05, 2015
Social Security cost-of-living adjustment unlikely for 2016

High-income retirees could see net benefits decline as their Medicare premiums rise.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES AUG 03, 2015
New life insurance study debunks 'buy term, invest the difference'

Standard advice leaves many Americans underinsured and unprepared for retirement.

New study says 'buy term, invest the difference' is bunk when it comes to life insurance
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 28, 2015
New study says 'buy term, invest the difference' is bunk when it comes to life insurance

Standard advice leaves many Americans underinsured and unprepared for retirement.

Social Security as a backup plan for single filers
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 22, 2015
Social Security as a backup plan for single filers

Claim early if you need to; suspend later if you can afford it.

Social Security Administration to same-sex couples: File for benefits now
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 22, 2015
Social Security Administration to same-sex couples: File for benefits now

Federal marriage benefits soon will be available to same-sex couples nationwide following the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.