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 MAR 19, 2013
Willing suspension of benefits can boost Social Security payoff

But don't expect to collect a spousal benefit in the interim

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 09, 2013
Mary Beth Franklin: Jumping the gun on Social Security a big mistake

Timing is key to wringing out the most dollars; magic number

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 09, 2013
Mary Beth Franklin: Don't forget kids in Social Security strategy

Factoring a child's benefit into claiming strategy can boost family income

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 09, 2013
Mary Beth Franklin: Why the merry widow is so darned merry

Social Security survivor benefits usually continue after late-in-life remarriage

NEWS RIAS MAR 07, 2013
Mary Beth Franklin: How to couple survivor and retirement benefits

Wife's terminal illness allows husband to plan for a future alone

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 04, 2013
Social Security speak has advisers lost in translation

'File and suspend' and 'voluntary suspension' not the same thing; who knew?

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 10, 2013
Retirement planning can hurt health

Higher Medicare premiums threaten traditional retirement income planning

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 07, 2013
Lump sum payouts for Social Security? Yep

Some retirees qualify for up to six months of retroactive benefits; pay for those larger items

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 07, 2013
Americans want to prop up Social Security — but not on their backs

Large support for lifting contribution cap, raising payroll tax over lengthy-time period; don't touch my bennies

RETIREMENT TAX JAN 28, 2013
Mary Beth Franklin: IRS' new definitions of 'income' a migraine starter kit

Five – count 'em five — categories now in play; several rungs of hell