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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Two wives, two sets of Social Security benefits
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 14, 2014
Two wives, two sets of Social Security benefits

Current and ex-spouses don't have to share survivor benefits.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 08, 2014
You've got mail from Social Security

The agency is returning to paper statements. Only 6% of workers had signed up for the online version since 2011.

It doesn't always pay to delay Social Security
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 01, 2014
It doesn't always pay to delay Social Security

Some public employees may not be eligible for survivor benefits.

How to interpret Social Security benefit statements
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 31, 2014
How to interpret Social Security benefit statements

Public sector workers' payments may be reduced.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 31, 2014
Mary Beth Franklin: Budget raises questions about fate of claiming strategies

Unclear if and when proposed change might take effect, still more vague about what strategies would be affected.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 28, 2014
Financial literacy begins at the office

Increased need for advice presents opportunities for advisers.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 26, 2014
Retirement confidence edges up from record lows

Annual EBRI survey credits higher stock, home values.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 24, 2014
Huge gap in public's knowledge of Social Security rules

Difference between claiming strategies could be as much as $250,000 for a married couple.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 14, 2014
Social Security accreditation program for advisers

One-day training session promises to give you a leg up on the competition.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 09, 2014
Making tough decisions to fix Social Security

A new policy simulation tool lets users design their own package of reforms to fully fund Social Security. If individual users can make these tough decisions, why can't elected officials?