Changes in Soucial SEcurity??
 

Just read a little bit but this for those who are close to retirement. Hope that you are able to read this article on fidelity:
https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/...=email_monthly

Very interesting reading. I guess we can be glad we are as old as we are. Younger people will have a harder time of it.

When I started working in my twenties, the company had a financial adviser for the execs at the plant. Another co worker and I had the same lunch hour as he did and he would sit at our table so he wouldn't eat alone. He gave us lots of advice about money even though I didn't have any. LOL
I remember he told us never do depend to live on Social Security. SS was meant to be a supplement not a livable income.

I have been seeing several articles on this change. It does not impact those already on social security or singles. It is closing down a so-called loophole that some couples could use whereby one could claim a spousal SS benefit but continue to let his/her own benefit grow to the maximum age 70 benefit---even when the spouse was not yet drawing SS benefits. Couples age 62 and older are grandfathered in to continue to be eligible for this method, but those under age 62 won't get the opportunity. the SS system is seriously underfunded so I for one don't really think this is an unreasonable change to make. Deeper cuts will unfortunately likely be needed too.
And OnebyOne, you are right---SS was originally designed to cover only 1/3 of retirement needs, the rest was to be fulfilled from personal savings and pensions.

Every situation is different when it comes to Social Security. Try hard as many often do to save money many employers don't offer pension plans. I worked for a company with a pension plan. When I left the company, I was not reimbursed the money I paid into the plan. I worked for a salon and paid into their (which is rare) pension plan. When I left I got none of that. I also was audited because the taxes they took out of my pay were never paid for 3 years. I ended up paying again those taxes and penalties and interest on top. My SS benefits are menial compared to many of course. So I tell all my younger family and friends to really see what kinds of plans and how much taxes are taken and make sure they are paid accordingly.

And your tax attorney couldn't do anything about this? I'm pretty sure that business practice is very illegal.

After paying all that money, I would not think she could afford a tax attorney.

Some attorneys work on a pay-if-you-win policy. If they are pretty sure you will win your case, they will take it and not get paid if you lose. Sure may be worth it.