#120 - Social Security Headlines: What They Really Mean for Your Retirement
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For women approaching or already in retirement, Social Security decisions can feel harder when tax questions, funding projections, and proposed legislation all appear in the headlines at once.
How do you separate information that affects your plan from news that simply deserves your attention?
In this episode, I answer a listener’s question about Social Security tax withholding while working at age 70. I explain what it really means when up to 85% of Social Security may be taxable, how withholding choices work, and why your broader tax picture matters. I also break down the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report, what the projected funding shortfall actually means for benefits, and what the proposed PROMISE Act could change. Most importantly, I explain why retirement decisions should be based on your circumstances and current law rather than headlines or predictions.
EPISODE SUMMARY
- Why delaying Social Security until age 70 can increase monthly income for life and potentially affect survivor benefits
- What “85% of Social Security is taxable” actually means and how provisional income affects federal taxation
- How the five Social Security withholding options differ and why your full income picture should guide the choice
- What the 2026 Trustees Report says about future benefits and why a funding shortfall doesn’t mean benefits disappear
- How to think about the proposed PROMISE Act without changing your retirement plan based on legislation that isn’t law
- And more!
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EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES
2026 Social Security Quick Reference Guide
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