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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Social Security envisions a new tech-savvy future
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 15, 2015
Social Security envisions a new tech-savvy future

Agency embraces technology while juggling demand for increased face-to-face service.

Majority of Americans flunk Social Security quiz
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 10, 2015
Majority of Americans flunk Social Security quiz

Just 28% of more than 1,500 adults received a passing grade on a series of basic questions about benefits, and that could have serious implications for their retirement income.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 10, 2015
A Social Security benefit is a terrible thing to waste

Sometimes there is no clever claiming strategy available to boost lifetime benefits given the difference in ages between two spouses.

When both spouses lose some or all of their Social Security benefits
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 10, 2015
When both spouses lose some or all of their Social Security benefits

Excess earnings before full retirement age can reduce payments to both spouses.

Why advisers need to stop scaring pre-retirees
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 29, 2015
Why advisers need to stop scaring pre-retirees

When clients start a financial conversation with decreased confidence and a perceived loss of control, they often resist taking action.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 27, 2015
Social Security's $12.4 million error

Agency overpays spousal benefits to some public employees, underpays others.

The $12.4 million Social Security error
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 20, 2015
The $12.4 million Social Security error

Agency overpays spousal benefits to some public employees, underpays others.

Help investors plug the $24 billion retirement savings leak
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 18, 2015
Help investors plug the $24 billion retirement savings leak

Workers forfeit an estimated $24 billion a year by not contributing enough money to their 401(k) plans to capture their employer's full match.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 13, 2015
Missed Social Security claiming opportunity costs client more than $29,000

Which is harder to swallow: realizing that your advice cost a client more than $29,000 in lost Social Security benefits or owning up to the mistake?

Elder care needs will transform advice industry
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 12, 2015
Elder care needs will transform advice industry

Demand will shift from retirement income to housing and care issues.