--- title: | Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications (5) description: "Lauren is a content marketing enthusiast with a love for storytelling - on camera, in writing, and through others. She has a robust communications background that includes: public relations, content creation, internal communications, digital marketing, and copy editing. Driven and motivated, Lauren holds a bachelor's degree in English and is an avid reader. (5)" --- [Login](https://www.covisum.com/login-experience) | [Call: 402-235-4500](tel:1-402-235-4500) | [Contact Us](https://www.covisum.com/contact) ** [![covisum-logo](https://www.covisum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/covisum-logo.png?width=264&height=41&name=covisum-logo.png "covisum-logo")](https://www.covisum.com/) [![Start Your Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2755909/b23743cd-d0df-4907-a66d-293b58ab1164.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2755909/b23743cd-d0df-4907-a66d-293b58ab1164) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2755909/6c6d7fe7-e094-4fc0-9c82-d93d4ccbb532.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2755909/6c6d7fe7-e094-4fc0-9c82-d93d4ccbb532) # Press Browse by topic All Topics In The News Social Security Tax Fintech benefit cuts COLA Marketing retirement widow benefit Risk 401(k) Biden CARESAct IRS Income Planning Roth Trustees report investing Subscribe to our news ![Podcast: Joe Elsasser on FSPtalks](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/israel-palacio-Y20JJ_ddy9M-unsplash.jpg) #### In The News ### [Podcast: Joe Elsasser on FSPtalks](https://www.covisum.com/press/joe-elsasser-guest-on-fsp-talks-podcast) on February 23, 2021 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) Covisum Founder and President, Joe Elsasser, CFP®, was recently a guest on the FSPtalks podcast. He spoke with host David Maola about leadership, risk taking, and the future of financial technology. You can listen here. FSPtalks brings together influential leaders across the financial services industry for enlightening conversations on leadership. This podcast is brought to you by FSPgo. [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/joe-elsasser-guest-on-fsp-talks-podcast) ![USA TODAY: Recently Widowed? Here's What You Need to Know About Social Security Survivors Benefits](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/ihor-malytskyi-otASKzSeRh0-unsplash.jpg) #### In The News ### [USA TODAY: Recently Widowed? Here's What You Need to Know About Social Security Survivors Benefits](https://www.covisum.com/press/usa-today-recently-widowed-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-social-security-survivors-benefits) on January 26, 2021 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) Of the 5.7 million people awarded Social Security benefits in 2019, 886,000 were survivors of deceased workers. Those widows, widowers and dependents of eligible workers were awarded what are known as survivors benefits. In all, there were 3,878,012 widows and widowers receiving benefits in 2019. But as with many things related to Social Security, there’s plenty of confusion about applying for survivors benefits and understanding how much you – as the surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse or dependent – might receive. [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/usa-today-recently-widowed-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-social-security-survivors-benefits) ![ThinkAdvisor: The 2 Things Your Clients Need to Know About Life Insurance](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/cytonn-photography-GJao3ZTX9gU-unsplash.jpg) #### In The News ### [ThinkAdvisor: The 2 Things Your Clients Need to Know About Life Insurance](https://www.covisum.com/press/thinkadvisor-things-your-clients-need-to-know-about-life-insurance) on January 7, 2021 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) This week in his Hidden Value column for ThinkAdvisor, Joe Elsasser, CFP®, talks about the benefits of clearly explaining two concepts in permanent life insurance policy design — funding level and growth potential. These two basic levers are easy for clients to understand and can readily help advisors explain why one policy type or structure would be a better fit for a client’s goals than another structure. [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/thinkadvisor-things-your-clients-need-to-know-about-life-insurance) ![Retirement Daily: Crafting a Social Security Claiming Strategy with Multiple Benefits](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Senior%20couple%20sitting%20on%20a%20bench.jpeg) #### Social Security ### [Retirement Daily: Crafting a Social Security Claiming Strategy with Multiple Benefits](https://www.covisum.com/press/retirement-daily-crafting-a-social-security-claiming-strategy-with-multiple-benefits) on December 3, 2020 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) If you’re like many Americans, you might be planning on using Social Security as a key income stream in retirement, which is why it’s important to be aware of all the benefits that may be available to you. Married, divorced, or widowed—there are a several Social Security claiming strategies to consider. For instance, in addition to (or often instead of) your own retirement benefits, if you're married you may be able to access a spousal benefit which can be up to 50% of your spouse’s, or even an ex-spouse’s, full retirement age benefit. In addition, upon the first death, the survivor, or even a divorced surviving spouse, may be able to access a survivor's benefit which is generally the higher of your own benefit or the benefit of the deceased. [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/retirement-daily-crafting-a-social-security-claiming-strategy-with-multiple-benefits) ![Perspectives Magazine: Accommodating Post-Pandemic Consumers](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Hand%20writing%20on%20notebook%20computer%20with%20media%20icons%20and%20symbols%20comming%20out.jpeg) #### In The News ### [Perspectives Magazine: Accommodating Post-Pandemic Consumers](https://www.covisum.com/press/perspectives-magazine-accommodating-post-pandemic-consumers) on December 2, 2020 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) Financial services are an increasingly tech-driven industry. As a financial advisor moving into 2021, technology will be your foundation for reaching new clients and retaining your existing ones. Being able to demonstrate value virtually has become fundamental to not only growth, but customer retention. The new digital approach to consumer decision-making may be overwhelming to financial advisors who have long relied on traditional methods of attracting new customers. [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/perspectives-magazine-accommodating-post-pandemic-consumers) ![CNBC: Will My Social Security Be Enough? How Financial Advisors Can Prepare Clients for What’s Coming in Retirement](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/Graphics%20-%20Web%20/Blog/cnbc-logo-blog.jpg) #### In The News ### [CNBC: Will My Social Security Be Enough? How Financial Advisors Can Prepare Clients for What’s Coming in Retirement](https://www.covisum.com/press/cnbc-will-my-social-security-be-enough-how-financial-advisors-can-prepare-clients-) on October 22, 2020 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) According to the Social Security Administration’s recent estimates, funds will be depleted in 2035, at which point just 79% of promised benefits will be payable–stoking fears for many who are nearing retirement. A recent CNBC article outlined some of these concerns and highlighted a few potential potential solutions that could shore up the Social Security system. Additionally, the article detailed how financial advisors can educate clients about the state of the Social Security system, the potential changes on the horizon and how all of this could impact their retirement strategy. [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/cnbc-will-my-social-security-be-enough-how-financial-advisors-can-prepare-clients-) ![InvestmentNews: How Secure is Social Security?](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Portrait%20of%20busy%20businesswoman%20working%20at%20office.jpeg) #### In The News ### [InvestmentNews: How Secure is Social Security?](https://www.covisum.com/press/investmentnews-how-secure-is-social-security) on October 20, 2020 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) It's been predicted that Social Security will run out of funds even faster than originally predicted due to the pandemic. This recent InvestmentNews article outlined how financial advisors can calm their clients' fears and prepare for potentially stormy days ahead. Covisum Founder and President Joe Elsasser, CFP® was interviewed for this article. “As financial planners, all we can do is operate under current law and stress-test those assumptions against possible economic futures. We create a plan based on today, but if that changes tomorrow, we analyze whether that plan still works." [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/investmentnews-how-secure-is-social-security) ![ThinkAdvisor: Social Security Widow(er) Benefits and Claiming Strategies](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Male%20nurse%20and%20senior%20woman%20sitting%20on%20the%20couch.jpeg) #### In The News ### [ThinkAdvisor: Social Security Widow(er) Benefits and Claiming Strategies](https://www.covisum.com/press/thinkadvisor-social-security-widower-benefits-and-claiming-strategies) on October 7, 2020 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) This week in his Hidden Value column for ThinkAdvisor, Joe Elsasser, CFP®, talks about the complex rules and regulations surrounding the Social Security widow(er) benefit and how advisors can help retirees determine the optimal time to claim. [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/thinkadvisor-social-security-widower-benefits-and-claiming-strategies) ![Retirement Daily: Ten Odd Social Security Rules and Practices That You Don't Want to Forget](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Middle-aged%20couple%20planning%20for%20retirement%20in%20a%20meeting%20with%20a%20female%20broker%20or%20investment%20adviser%20in%20her%20office.jpeg) #### In The News ### [Retirement Daily: Ten Odd Social Security Rules and Practices That You Don't Want to Forget](https://www.covisum.com/press/retirement-daily-ten-odd-social-security-rules-and-practices) on September 10, 2020 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) For many retired Americans, Social Security is a major source of income. But determining when to claim Social Security benefits can be complex and challenging due to some unique rules and practices. In this Retirement Daily article, Ten Odd Social Security Rules and Practices That You Don't Want to Forget, Covisum® Founder and President, Joe Elsasser, CFP®, highlights ten odd Social Security rules that are important to remember as you near retirement. [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/retirement-daily-ten-odd-social-security-rules-and-practices) ![CNBC: Here’s What You Need to Know About Claiming Social Security Retirement Benefits](https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/Graphics%20-%20Web%20/Blog/cnbc-logo-blog.jpg) #### In The News ### [CNBC: Here’s What You Need to Know About Claiming Social Security Retirement Benefits](https://www.covisum.com/press/cnbc-what-you-need-to-know-about-claiming-social-security-retirement-benefits) on August 24, 2020 | By [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/press/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) Social Security is an important element in many retirement strategies. When planning when to claim Social Security retirement benefits, it's critical to consider of wide variety of factors. Claiming at the wrong time can cost retirees thousands of dollars. A recent CNBC article highlighted some of the most important things to consider when determining the timing of a Security Security claiming decision, including the potential for benefit cuts. [Read More **](https://www.covisum.com/press/cnbc-what-you-need-to-know-about-claiming-social-security-retirement-benefits) current_page_num+2: 7 - disabled ## Covisum’s ecosystem of solutions can help you grow. [Learn More](https://www.covisum.com/software) ## Stay Connected Access industry news, expert insights, best practices, free downloads and more. 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