There are a number of measures you can use to judge whether an appropriate amount of your monthly income goes to debt payments. Advertisement◆ Debt payments, including mortgages, that exceed 40% of gross monthly can be an indication of financial distress, according to the Federal Reserve. She said if she waits to apply that it would increase her Social Security by $400 a month. Single women have an especially high risk of finishing their days in poverty, which means maximizing their Social Security is usually the right call. That’s what she’s getting by waiting to start her Social Security benefit (at least until age 70, when the benefit maxes out).

Source: Los Angeles Times February 20, 2021 13:03 UTC