As the year comes to a close, everyone is feeling the stress of selecting the best benefits. But too often, we get so focused on the minutiae of what's covered and what isn't that we miss the bigger ... AOL: Social Security survivor benefits: the rules that catch most families off guard Your spouse dies on a Tuesday.

Understanding the Context

By Wednesday, someone in your family is telling you to call Social Security. What almost nobody mentions is how many rules govern survivor benefits, how many ways you ... Social Security survivor benefits: the rules that catch most families off guard This year kicked off with a new administration heralding big policy changes in areas that affect employee health & welfare benefits. This year’s Roundup is packed with the latest legislative and ...

Key Insights

It has been more than 20 years since I began writing this “retirement planning” column and more than 40 years since I started studying federal benefits so that I could teach and counsel federal ... On , the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) published proposed regulations (408(b) rules) that would significantly increase transparency ... USA Today: New year, new rules: 5 Social Security changes for 2026 Social Security's spousal benefits can be a financial lifeline for many people later in life. But it's important to understand the nuances of claiming those benefits. Here are three rules you should ...

Final Thoughts

This survey invites New Yorkers to share their experiences applying for and/or maintaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Public Assistance (PA), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.