April 2025

Close-up of a United States passport on a rustic wooden table with a smartphone nearby.

Social Security 2025 Updates: New ID Verification Rules and Payment Schedule Changes

2 Comments / Social Security /

Important Updates from the Social Security Administration (SSA) – 2025 Since early 2025, news about the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) new Identification Verification (IDV) procedures has caused confusion. SSA first announced changes to the retirement benefits application process, then reversed some of them on the day they were set to start. This created widespread uncertainty. […]

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Can You Be Taxed on an IRA You Lost?” a Seized IRA and a $275,000 Tax Bill – What This Teaches Us About IRA Rules

Personal Finance /

Lonnie Hubbard, sitting in prison and stripped of his assets from an illegal drug operation, was stunned to receive a letter from the IRS. It claimed he owed $275,000 in taxes and penalties—on money he no longer had. Hubbard v. Commissioner Even though the government had seized his IRA as part of his criminal sentence,

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Powerful waves crash against a pier and lighthouse under dark stormy skies.

The Market is in Turmoil – What does it mean for your retirement?

Personal Finance /

The U.S. stock market has been extremely volatile since the announcement of new tariffs. On April 7, it briefly dropped over 20% from its February peak. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often called the “fear index”, surged past 60—the highest since August last year. This sharp drop has caused understandable concern, especially those nearing or

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