Headlines
Social Security and the Poverty Problem
In the wake of the recently-announced 2019 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), many seniors are breathing a sigh of relief over the largest increase in seven years. But while that’s a good thing, MarketWatch columnist Paul Brandus, in a post on www.marketwatch.com,…
Using Medicare’s online tools during Open Enrollment
Medicare’s “open enrollment period” is upon us – from October 15th to December 7th – and now is the time for you to assess your current healthcare coverage to see if it still suits your needs, or whether better coverage is…
Could the COLA increase hurt some?
It’s hard to think of getting a raise in Social Security benefits as having some negative side affects, but in this article by Tim Grant at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the author’s source suggests that the 2.8% COLA increase in 2019…
Long term care protection: two ways to approach it
Once upon a time, the only protection you could buy to pay for long term nursing home costs was a traditional Long Term Care insurance policy. But with many carriers finding that those policies were not profitable, premiums starting increasing,…
Social Security: More than just your benefit changing in 2019
Of course, the big news about Social Security for 2019 is that recipients will be given a 2.8% COLA increase, the largest in a number of years and news that surely makes everyone happy. But considerably less reported on are…
Medicare Open Enrollment period starts today; here’s what you need to know
Medicare’s annual enrollment period runs from October 15th to December 7th, and this is the time when you can make any desired changes to your Medicare coverage, including your Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or your Prescription Drug (Part D)…
How baby boomers’ stark retirement choices are a lesson for Millennials
Almost 20 million working Americans between ages 55 and 64 do not have a pension and no money in a 401(k) retirement accounts. According to a recent Gallup survey, it found baby boomer respondents indicated that retirement age plans are…
Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2019 will be 2.8 percent
The Social Security Administration announced today that 63 million beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled workers and their eligible dependents and surviving family members, will receive a 2.8 percent increase in benefits next year, the largest annual cost-of-living adjustment since 2012. The increase would…
Before you file for your Social Security benefits early, think about what you’ll be giving up
The average senior today collects roughly $1,400 a month in Social Security, but if you’re not smart about when you file for benefits, you could end up with a lot less. Although your benefits themselves are calculated based on your…
How the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2018 will help employees of small businesses
Many economists believe that America is in the midst of a financial crisis – a retirement savings crisis. Despite all the positive economic news, statistics show that 14 percent of Americans have no money saved for retirement, while another 42…