Get What's Yours

December 15, 2014
Social Security is widely mistrusted and little understood by most Americans, and with good reason: the program’s operating manual contains 2,728 core rules, and thousands of additional instructions. This can’t-miss guide to the system comes from Kotlikoff, a Boston University economist; Moller, an expert on aging; and Solman, a PBS NewsHour economics correspondent. After a conversation among all three about their own retirement planning revealed how confusing the system is, they set out to write a book pointing out traps and ways to maximize the reader’s retirement benefits. With a little tough love (reminding readers not to overestimate their own knowledge or objectivity), they explain the ins and outs of lesser-known features, such as survivor and spousal benefits. Readers are also led through the decision of whether to claim early or delay retirement entirely, the intricacies of marital-status changes, and the options for those who are married, divorced, widowed, or single. The writing is detail heavy but clear enough for even the most intimidated reader, with a concluding cheat sheet helpfully summing up the book’s suggestions. The authors’ palpable fervor to help readers get back what they’ve paid will energize readers to claim what is rightfully theirs. Agent: Alice Martell, Martell Agency.

February 15, 2015

With the goal to make sense of when and how to collect Social Security, authors Kotlikoff (William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor, Boston Univ.; coauthor, Spend 'til the End), Philip Moeller (research fellow, Sloan Ctr. on Aging & Work, Boston Coll.; contributing writer, Money) and Paul Solman (Brady-Johnson Distinguished Practitioner in Grand Strategy, Yale Univ.; business and economics correspondent, PBS NewsHour) begin with the basics, explaining exactly what Social Security is and which benefits are part of the system. Using true-to-life examples, they walk readers through their three rules for maximizing Social Security income by illustrating the importance of waiting to collect, taking all available benefits, and timing the collection of benefits correctly. There is advice for those who are widowed or divorced, for individuals with disabilities, and for those who have worked in both covered and noncovered jobs. Especially timely is the chapter designed to help gay couples understand how the legalization of same-sex marriage affects entitlement to Social Security benefits. Extras include a sample application for retirement insurance benefits in which the authors insert cautions and guidance and a glossary that demystifies essential terminology and acronyms. VERDICT This book works as a thorough overview and as a reference for those with specific questions about Social Security. The authors present the information from the unwieldy system clearly but without dumbing it down. [See Prepub Alert, 8/22/14.]--Joan Pedzich, formerly with Harris Beach PLLC, Pittsford, NY

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.