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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Employees losing a whopping $24B in retirement savings
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 11, 2015
Employees losing a whopping $24B in retirement savings

The typical worker forfeits $1,336 a year in lost 401(k) employer matches. Are you one of them?

Friends are OK, as we cruise toward retirement
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 04, 2015
Friends are OK, as we cruise toward retirement

Author conducts her own focus group among peers.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 27, 2015
Singles can file and suspend Social Security benefits

But this creative claiming strategy stumps some Social Security Administration employees.

'Holy Child Girls' are a microcosm of baby boomers on verge of retirement
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 20, 2015
'Holy Child Girls' are a microcosm of baby boomers on verge of retirement

The future looks golden in an author's informal survey

Social Security closes claiming loophole for people with disabilities
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 20, 2015
Social Security closes claiming loophole for people with disabilities

A minor change in the Social Security Program Operations Manual System late last year resulted in a big change in the rights of people who receive Social Security disability benefits.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 14, 2015
How singles can use file-and-suspend as an insurance policy

But this creative claiming strategy stumps some Social Security Administration employees.

Nearly half of retirees wish they had retired earlier
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 14, 2015
Nearly half of retirees wish they had retired earlier

But savings gap may force future retirees to work longer.

Did Social Security slice benefits for people with disabilities?
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 03, 2015
Did Social Security slice benefits for people with disabilities?

A minor change in the Social Security Program Operations Manual System late last year resulted in what some advocates call an 'outrage.'

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 31, 2015
Lifetime retiree health care cost projections up 6.5%

Average costs could exceed Social Security benefits in the future.

Why you might see your Social Security check shrink
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 25, 2015
Why you might see your Social Security check shrink

An income spike, such as from the sale of a property, can lead to higher Medicare costs.