Public Pension Funding Update: States With Stronger Retirement Security
Forty-five states improved pension funding in 2026, with seven now fully funded and two states facing critical shortfalls.
Month July 2026
Inflation-Protected Retirement Income: TIPS Annuities and COLA Strategies
Inflation protection in retirement comes from two separate strategies—TIPS bonds and COLA annuity riders—each with distinct tradeoffs around guarantees, flexibility, and cost.
Widow Benefits Strategy: How Delayed Claims Can Protect a Spouse
Widow benefits compound when the higher earner delays Social Security—a lifetime income protection that survives longer than either spouse.
Retirement Housing Costs: Why Fixed-Income Seniors Feel Inflation First
Nearly 11.7 million seniors now spend over half their income on housing, far outpacing Social Security adjustments.
Pension Lump Sum Decision: Questions Retirees Should Ask Before Cashing Out
A pension lump sum seems like freedom until markets crash and your money runs out—here's how to decide if it's right for you.
Social Security Maximum Benefit 2026: Who Qualifies for $5,181 Monthly
To qualify for Social Security's $5,181 maximum in 2026, you need 35 years of maximum earnings and must wait until age 70 to claim.
Average Retiree Check Could Rise About $79 Under Latest COLA Estimate
Social Security's 2027 benefit increase could reach $79 monthly based on latest inflation trends, but retirees won't know the final figure until October.
How to Prepare for Possible Social Security Benefit Cuts After 2032
Your claiming age determines whether Social Security benefit cuts affect you; delaying can eliminate the threat entirely.
Promise Act Social Security Reform: Bipartisan Senate Proposal Explained
A bipartisan Senate bill would force Congress to vote on Social Security reform before the trust fund depletes in 2032.
Retirement Age Debate: What Raising Full Retirement Age Would Cost
Raising the full retirement age to 70 would cut lifetime benefits by roughly 20 percent—but wouldn't delay the trust fund crisis by a single year.