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Christy Bieber

TMFChristyB

Former college teacher. Textbook contributor. Personal finance writer. Passionate advocate of smart money moves to achieve financial success.

Recent Articles by Christy Bieber

Reviewing finances

Aug 27, 2024 by Christy Bieber

Here's How Much You Should Have Invested for Retirement at Age 50

Ideally, you'll have around six times your annual income saved for retirement by age 50. However, the amount you need depends on your retirement goals.

Reviewing finances with laptop.

Aug 29, 2024 by Christy Bieber

Retirees Must Come to Terms With This Harsh Reality About Their 2025 COLA

While seniors may be excited about their cost-of-living adjustment, the harsh truth is that this isn't a raise, even though it's often referred to that way.

Reviewing finances

Aug 27, 2024 by Christy Bieber

These 2 Factors Determine the Size of Your Social Security Checks

The size of your Social Security checks will be based on your average earnings over your career and the age when you claim benefits.

Adult couple working in finances with receipt

Aug 27, 2024 by Christy Bieber

Knowing That the Median Retirement Account Is $87,000 Won't Help Me Plan for Retirement. Here's How I'm Tracking Success Instead.

How much other people have saved doesn't impact my goals, because I need to focus on ensuring my nest egg provides for my personal needs.

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Aug 27, 2024 by Christy Bieber

Here's How the Average American Can Add Over $1,000 to Their Social Security Benefit

One major choice about Social Security could change your benefits by over $1,000 if you're on track for the typical retirement benefit. Here's why.

Couple with financial advisor

Aug 15, 2024 by Christy Bieber

These 5 Social Security Changes Are Coming in 2025 No Matter Who Wins the Election

Regardless of who takes office in 2025, some changes will happen to Social Security-- including a change in the amount of money you must earn to qualify for benefits.

Taking a selfie on vacation

Aug 16, 2024 by Christy Bieber

This Social Security Rule Has Cost Retirees Money for 40 Years. It Could Finally Change in 2025.

Since the 1983 Social Security amendments took effect, a growing number of retirees have had to pay taxes on their Social Security benefits. That could potentially be coming to an end.

Adults looking at financial paperwork.

Aug 19, 2024 by Christy Bieber

This Big Social Security Change Will Happen for 2 More Years -- Then May Never Happen Again

Social Security's full retirement age is moving later for the next two years. Then, it may stay the same for the foreseeable future unless lawmakers make a change.

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Aug 15, 2024 by Christy Bieber

You Have Less Than 5 Months to Prepare for These 2025 Social Security Changes

Will you be ready?

Couple looking at computer together

Aug 18, 2024 by Christy Bieber

There's Big News About Social Security's 2025 COLA. Here's What It Means For You

Retirees now have some of the information they'll need to estimate their cost-of-living adjustment.

Adults looking at financial paperwork.

Aug 15, 2024 by Christy Bieber

3 Signs You Shouldn't Wait to Claim Social Security

Putting off a Social Security benefits claim doesn't pay if you'll drain your savings, lose out on higher household benefits, or get stuck working for longer than you want.

Adult couple working in finances with receipt

Aug 15, 2024 by Christy Bieber

3 Things to Do Right Now If You're Worried About Having Too Little Retirement Savings Later

If you are concerned you may not have enough saved for retirement, there are three money moves you can make today. Here they are.

reviewing financial documents

Aug 13, 2024 by Christy Bieber

4 Surefire Ways to Increase Your Social Security Checks

You can make your Social Security checks bigger by making smart moves before and after retirement. Learn what they are.

Person Using Calculator

Aug 9, 2024 by Christy Bieber

3 Ways You Could Reduce Your Social Security Check By Mistake

Shrinking your Social Security check could have financial consequences. Find out three ways you could accidentally end up with less money than you expected.

Person using calculator and reviewing documents

Aug 7, 2024 by Christy Bieber

Studies Say When to Claim Social Security -- But You May Not Want to Listen to Them

Studies show that 70 is the best age to claim Social Security, but you need to make a decision based on your own finances and financial goals. Here's why you might want to make a different choice.

reviewing financial documents

Aug 8, 2024 by Christy Bieber

Some Americans Are Already Done Paying Social Security Tax for the Year. Here's Why.

If you make a lot of money, you may have fulfilled your obligations to pay Social Security benefits already in 2024. Here's why that's the case.

Couple Looking at financial papers.

Aug 6, 2024 by Christy Bieber

70 May Be the Best Age to Claim Social Security -- but Not in These 3 Situations

Studies have shown that 70 is usually the best age to claim Social Security. However, that doesn't mean it's the best move in every single circumstance.

Taking a selfie on vacation

Aug 9, 2024 by Christy Bieber

This Is Absolutely the Biggest Social Security Check Any Senior Will Get This Year

Seniors may get a check as high as $4,873 from Social Security, but no retiree's payment can be bigger than that in 2024. Here's why.

Reviewing finances

Aug 8, 2024 by Christy Bieber

Thinking of Claiming Social Security Early? Here's How Much You'll Shrink Your Benefit

If you claim Social Security ahead of schedule, you're going to accept a reduced monthly benefit for life. See just how much smaller your benefits will be.

Typing on Laptop

Aug 6, 2024 by Christy Bieber

Get Ready for Some Bad News About Social Security's 2025 COLA

Social Security's cost of living adjustment is almost definitely going to be smaller next year than it is this year. Find out more about why your benefits may not go up as much as you might expect.

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