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 JUL 07, 2014
Undoing a hasty Social Security claiming decision

There are remedies, but your clients may not like them.

Early filers regret Social Security claiming decisions
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 04, 2014
Early filers regret Social Security claiming decisions

Survey shows many retirees wish they had waited to begin taking benefits.

Social Security delay? The numbers don't lie
NEWS OPINION JUL 01, 2014
Social Security delay? The numbers don't lie

Financial advisers often ask me how they can persuade their clients to delay collecting Social Security benefits.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 26, 2014
Fewer than half of women have an emergency fund

Report on women investors finds they are closing the financial literacy gap fast, but remain behind men in terms of confidence and knowledge.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 26, 2014
How to reap the benefits of Social Security's rearview mirror

Claiming after age 66 can result in retroactive benefits.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 25, 2014
Could earning less later in your career reduce your Social Security?

Find out whether your top years or final years determine your monthly benefit amount.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 20, 2014
How long must clients be married to collect Social Security on each other? It depends

Rules differ for those currently married, widows/widowers and the divorced

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 20, 2014
Social Security benefits and common-law marriage: Oil and water?

In some cases, spousal benefits available without a marriage certificate.

SSA starts paying benefits to married gay couples, but questions remain
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 20, 2014
SSA starts paying benefits to married gay couples, but questions remain

Social Security encourages people to apply for spousal benefits even with uncertainties.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 19, 2014
Do-over: Fix the mistake you made claiming Social Security

There are remedies, though you may not like them.