Columnists

We hear frequently about the rule of law, which in most cases refers to what the legal codes of our communities, our state and our nation have established regarding our conduct. If we say that an action is done in accordance with the rule of law, we generally mean that things have been done properly,…

Social Security helps you secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information, and tools that support you throughout life’s journey. If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be…

I recently watched a politician being interviewed on television. Asked a direct question, he gave a lengthy, detailed, even eloquent, reply. When finished, he smiled big.“You noticed he didn’t answer the question,” observed my attentive spouse. I noticed. Too often what we ask goes unanswered by those we elect to represent us. The dodge is…

Identity theft affects millions of people each year and can cause serious harm. Protect yourself by securing your personal information, understanding the threat of identity theft, and exercising caution. Here are 10 things you can start doing now to protect yourself and your loved ones from identity theft: 1. Protect your Social Security number by…

Spring cleaning. Did reading those words raise your anxiety a little bit? I feel your pain. The cleaning bug bit us at one of our offices this past week. Our Albany office has just moved to its new location on US 136, so there wasn’t much sorting and rearranged to do at that one, but…

Artificial Intelligence is the hottest topic in tech. Headlines foretell of both disaster and unparalleled opportunity. As with most advancements, the truth is usually somewhere in the middle. However, one thing is definite AI will impact many aspects of our lives, including how we make the best use of our scarce resources and infrastructure. With…

“Family is family.” – Linda Linney When I lost my dad in June of 1996, my mom was just 57 years old. She had been through so much with dad’s leukemia, I couldn’t even imagine what it was like for her to lose her husband at such a young age. But you know, I was…

Social Security is here for you when you travel, whether you’re in the United States or in another country. Our online services page at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices provides you with a wide variety of self-service options you can use on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer. Through our online services, you can: 1. Find out if you…

On my last day of school this year, I told my wife, ‘I’m not doing ANYTHING tomorrow, I’m just going to hang out and bum around for one day.’ I got off to a good start. But I’m beginning to realize that I wasn’t built for loafing. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not claiming that…

California entered the Union in 1850 amid a population boon triggered by a monster gold strike. Since then, it has become renowned as the Golden State for its abundance of natural resources, sunshine, and 900 miles of scenic coastline. For decades California has been the place to go, to be seen, to strike it rich.…