Alicia Munnell, MarketWatch Journalist Profile

Articles

Opinion: Scary headlines drive people to claim Social Security earlier - and that has real consequences

4 days ago | marketwatch.com | Alicia Munnell

EncoreDOGE attack on Social Security sparks anxiety about program’s stabilityPublished: June 2, 2025 at 2:06 p.m. ETFear of losing benefits plays a role in earlier claiming, writes Alicia Munnell. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphotoThe Department of Government Efficiency’s attack on Social Security has put the agency’s operations at risk, compromised the security of personal data, and created widespread anxiety about the reliability of the program. And at the same time, claims are surging.
Opinion: Social Security is loved by people across the political spectrum

2 weeks ago | marketwatch.com | Alicia Munnell

EncoreBut they want only high earners to pay for the fixPublished: May 20, 2025 at 10:17 a.m. ETAs Social Security turns 90, experts have been assessing the program and suggesting reform. Photo: MarketWatch photo illustration/iStockphotoWith all the DOGE-driven turbulence at the Social Security Administration, it may have gotten lost that 2025 is the 90th anniversary of the program.
Opinion: Will the average retirement age keep rising?

3 weeks ago | marketwatch.com | Alicia Munnell

EncoreMany of the drivers have played themselves outPublished: May 12, 2025 at 1:49 p.m. ETIt is unlikely the average retirement age will decline — but will it increase? Photo: Getty ImagesLet’s take a deep breath and step back from the daily news cycle, and take a look at recent trends in retirement patterns and what they are likely to look like going forward.
Opinion: Do IRAs actually help more people save for retirement?

4 weeks ago | marketwatch.com | Alicia Munnell

EncoreLet’s see if fintech and state auto-IRAs are making a differencePublished: May 8, 2025 at 3:42 p.m. ETIndividual retirement accounts, or IRAs, which hold over half of total private retirement assets, were introduced as a way for workers without an employer-sponsored plan to save for retirement.
This Is the Best Way to Help Older Homeowners

1 month ago | crr.bc.edu | Alicia Munnell

is a columnist for MarketWatch and senior advisor of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Some exciting news. Adam Scanlon, a representative in the Massachusetts House, has submitted a bill to establish “ a senior property tax deferral pilot program.”I have always been a great fan of thinking about the house as a retirement asset and about ways people can access the equity in their home to support themselves in retirement.
Opinion: This is the best way to help older homeowners

1 month ago | marketwatch.com | Alicia Munnell

Adam Scanlon, a representative in the Massachusetts House, has submitted a bill to establish “ a senior property tax deferral pilot program.”I have always been a great fan of thinking about the house as a retirement asset and about ways people can access the equity in their home to support themselves in retirement.
Are Tariffs Worth the Risk to Our Retirement - and Overall - Economic Security?

1 month ago | crr.bc.edu | Alicia Munnell

is a columnist for MarketWatch and senior advisor of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. In a recent blog, I pointed out that President Trump’s policies are undermining retirement security in three ways: disrupting Social Security’s ability to deliver services; reducing 401(k) asset values; and increasing layoffs and prices. Setting aside Social Security, the economic risks mentioned are all related to tariffs.
Opinion: Are tariffs worth the risk to our retirement - and overall - economic security?

1 month ago | marketwatch.com | Alicia Munnell

A skewed distribution of income and wealth just adds to our problems. In a recent column, I pointed out that President Trump’s policies are undermining retirement security in three ways: disrupting Social Security’s ability to deliver services; reducing 401(k) asset values; and increasing layoffs and prices. Setting aside Social Security, the economic risks mentioned are all related to tariffs. The question is whether it is worth making the economy and the markets tank?
How Can Smart People Argue for a Tax Cut?

1 month ago | crr.bc.edu | Alicia Munnell

is a columnist for MarketWatch and senior advisor of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. In this new world, I have expanded my podcast listening to try to understand the other team. High on my list is “All In” – originally a group of four high-tech venture capital hosts, so clearly smart guys and very rich.
Will the Average Retirement Age Keep Rising?

1 month ago | crr.bc.edu | Alicia Munnell

The brief’s key findings are:After a century of decline, work activity among older men stabilized in the 1980s and began to rise in the early 1990s. This turnaround reflected changes in Social Security, retirement plans, the nature of work, education levels, and health coverage. In response, the average retirement age for men rose by about three years to 64. In recent years, it has remained relatively stable as the changes that drove the increase have played themselves out.