34 Social Security Secrets You Need to Know Now

[OKNancy]

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2012/07/social-security-secrets-you-ne.html

From PBS newshour

34 Social Security 'Secrets' All Baby Boomers and Millions of Current Recipients Need to Know

By Lawrence Kotlikoff

The Social Security Handbook has 2,728 separate rules governing its benefits. And it has thousands upon thousands of explanations of those rules in its Program Operating Manual System, called the POMS, which provides guidance on implementing the 2,728 rules. Talk about a user's nightmare!

As a young economist, I did a fair amount of academic research on saving and insurance adequacy. At the time, I thought I had a very good handle on the rules. Then I started a financial planning software company, which makes suggestions about what benefits to take from Social Security and when to take them to get the best overall deal. (See, in this regard, www.maximizemysocialsecurity.com and www.esplanner.com.)

At that point, I realized I needed to quadruple check my understanding of Social Security's provisions. To do this, I established contacts with experts at Social Security's Office of the Actuary. I also hired a specialist whose only job is to audit my company's Social Security, Medicare premium, and federal and state income tax code.

....... the list is at the bottom of the article in the link I posted.