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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RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 02, 2014
Helping advisers connect the dots about retirement planning

The demise of a noted research organization makes the job a bit harder.

Americans vow to shed debt in 2014 but few commit to financial planning
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 30, 2013
Americans vow to shed debt in 2014 but few commit to financial planning

High-net-worth investors increase appetite for risk, poll shows.

I passed the CFP exam (but you can't call me a certified financial planner)
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 26, 2013
I passed the CFP exam (but you can't call me a certified financial planner)

Mary Beth Franklin passed the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc.'s certification exam. But unfortunately, you can't call her a certified financial planner — and probably never will.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 17, 2013
Factoring travel dollars into your retirement

Though a majority of retirees' wish lists include trekking the world, few plan ahead for such costs

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 17, 2013
Factoring travel dollars into financial plans

Though a majority of retirees' wish lists include trekking the world, few plan ahead for such costs.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 16, 2013
Social Security's rearview mirror: Retroactive benefits

How to maximize Social Security benefits for a married couple, both of whom turned 66 in January 2013, and are just now filing.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 16, 2013
Tax break for repaying Social Security benefits

Depending on your income, some of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. But if you repay benefits, you may be eligible for a deduction or credit.

How to hedge bets when claiming Social Security
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 16, 2013
How to hedge bets when claiming Social Security

The file-and-suspend strategy offers an added benefit: It can serve as an insurance policy if you change your mind and decide not to delay your benefits after all.

RETIREMENT TAX DEC 16, 2013
Clearing up the confusion over survivor benefits

I am thankful to all my faithful <em>InvestmentNews</em> readers, especially those like Jon Smith, a financial planning consultant with Stifel Investment Services in St. Louis, who track of my blog posts and keep me honest.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES DEC 13, 2013
New retirement income designation attracts thousands of advisers

The new retirement income designation for advisers, RICP, is now the fastest-growing credential in the American College of Financial Service's history.