Applying for Social Security and Medicare is the most complicated and bureaucratic process known to mankind.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that the maximum amount of wages in 2017 subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax (old age, survivor, and disability insurance) will increase more than 7%.

The Social Security Board of Trustees reports the combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds are projected to become depleted in 2033.

The scariest financial risk people face in life is running out of money at an old age. I’m 83 and I’m speaking from personal experience. After a long career as a newspaper editor, I retired in 1991 at the age of 60, with my wife, who is 14 years younger and retired in 2004. I’ve learned about financial matters the hard way, and I ghost-write articles like this one to earn some extra income.

The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) requirements for issuing social security number (SSN) printouts are less stringent than the requirements for issuing replacement SSN cards.