The AmeriFlex Group - Chandler

10/23/2026

Social Security Isn’t Just for Retirees—Here’s Who Else Can Claim!
Most people think Social Security is just for retirees, but did you know millions of people get benefits for other reasons?

✅ Spouses can claim up to 50% of their partner’s benefit—even if they never worked.
✅ Survivors (widows/widowers and even some divorced spouses) can get benefits based on a deceased spouse’s earnings.
✅ Disabled workers and their families may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSDI).
✅ Dependent children of retirees, disabled workers, or deceased parents may be eligible for monthly checks.

If you or a loved one fall into one of these groups, don’t leave money on the table—check your eligibility! 💰

10/22/2026

Another interest-rate hike may be coming this year. The question is when.

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September meeting show that most officials believe another increase in the federal funds rate will likely be appropriate before the end of 2026. But policymakers stopped short of signaling whether that could happen at their October 28 meeting or the final meeting of the year on December 9.

📌 Of the 18 Fed officials who submitted rate projections, 16 expected another increase this year.

Why the caution? Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, while officials described the labor market as close to maximum employment and noted that economic growth has picked up.

At the same time, Fed officials emphasized that future decisions will depend on incoming economic data rather than a predetermined timeline.

For now, another hike appears to be on the table, but the timing is still an open question.



Source:

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released minutes from its Sept. 15-16 policy meeting.

10/21/2026

POP QUIZ: Would you fall for this scam?

Imagine you get an email from “Amazon” saying there’s a problem with your order. It looks 100% legit. The logo is there, the wording sounds official… and there’s a big "Click Here to Fix It" button. Do you click?

🚫 If yes—don’t worry, you’re not alone. These scams work because they look real. But here’s the trick: Always go directly to Amazon’s website instead of clicking links in emails.

Scammers love impersonating major company names and even your bank or utility company. If you get an email that makes you panic, pause and double-check before doing anything.

10/16/2026

Are you playing chess or checkers?

Waiting Until 70 to Claim? Your Benefits Could Be Up to 77% Higher!

You’ve probably heard that waiting to claim Social Security means a bigger check—but do you know how much bigger?

If you claim at age 62, you’ll get a permanently reduced monthly benefit. But for every year you wait past full retirement age (FRA), your benefit grows by 8%—until you hit age 70. That could mean a 77% increase compared to taking it early!

Of course, waiting isn’t always the right move for everyone, but if you’re healthy and have other income sources, delaying could mean a significantly higher lifetime payout. So before you claim, run the numbers—future you might thank you!

10/15/2026

Some of the best seasonal memories come from small things.

Trying a pottery class.

Learning to bake the perfect apple pie.

Exploring a new hiking trail.

Starting a puzzle that takes all month.

Taking a weekend photography challenge.

Pick one thing you have always been curious about and make it your fall hobby.

Keep it simple. Keep it inexpensive. Keep it temporary if you want.

The goal is not to add another obligation to your life.

Yourself something new to look forward to as the leaves change, the weather cools off, and the nights get earlier.

10/14/2026

We have a client that almost fell for a phishing scam last week. 😳
A “PayPal” email told me my account was suspended. Looked real—until we helped them check the sender. Total fake.

Scammers love pretending to be:
⚠️ Microsoft & Google
⚠️ Apple & PayPal
⚠️ Amazon & your bank

Golden rule: Never click links in sketchy emails. Always go straight to the official website. Stay sharp! 🔒

10/09/2026

You Might Be Paying Taxes on Your Social Security Benefits—Here’s Why!

A lot of people assume Social Security benefits are tax-free—but that’s not always the case. If you have income from sources like a part-time job, a pension, or investments, you could end up paying federal (and even state!) taxes on your benefits.

Here’s the deal: If your total income (including half of your Social Security benefits) is over $25,000 for single filers or $32,000 for married couples, you might owe taxes on up to 85% of your benefits. Ouch.

But there are ways to plan ahead! Strategies like Roth conversions, tax-efficient withdrawals, and carefully managing your income sources can help reduce or even eliminate your tax bill. The key? Start planning before you claim!

10/08/2026

One of the fastest ways to take the fun out of a hobby is to decide it needs to become productive and generate income.

You do not need to sell the bread to make “bread.”
You do not need to monetize the photos.
You do not need to become an expert in something to become profitable.
Sometimes a hobby can simply be something you enjoy for a season.

This fall, try giving yourself an expiration date.
One month. A few weekends. No pressure to continue.

If you love it, keep going. If not, you still had a good time and learned something along the way.