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Did Social Security always have a COLA?
With the 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2015 about to begin, it is worth noting that many pensions do not have a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) provision. Unlike the inflation protection provided by Social Security retirement, survivors and disability benefits,…
Social Security: Will You Get Your Money’s Worth?
Hundreds of millions of Americans have paid into the Social Security system since it began, and several generations of retirees have counted on Social Security as a major means of financial support during their retired years. Given that everyone who…
Congress provides a hand-up to the disabled community
In a rare display of overwhelming bipartisan support earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 647 — more commonly referred to as the ABLE Act — by a 407-17 vote. The Senate followed suit with a 76-16…
California’s royals of retirement denial
For most Americans, it’s tempting to live in denial or outright fantasyland when it comes to paying for retirement. That’s because doing the math evokes less-pleasant emotions like fear, anger or hopelessness. Social Security, which replaces just 40 percent of…
Health Column: Important info for Medicare beneficiaries
Under provisions in the Affordable Care Act of 2010, some Medicare recipients are suddenly finding themselves without a safety net when in need of subsequent care at a skilled nursing facility. It has resulted in the proposal of new legislation…
Dying and profits: The evolution of hospice
The influx of for-profit companies into the hospice field has benefited patients, advocates say, because the commercial companies made big investments in technology, focused on efficiency and made care more accessible. But a Washington Post analysis of hundreds of thousands…
Affordable Care Act will play major role in tax filing
We had to have this talk sooner or later. Tax-filing time is around the corner, and this season will be the first in which the Affordable Care Act figures heavily. To that end, the Internal Revenue Service has a new,…
In transition to independent living, the ‘dignity of risk’ for the mentally ill
On his 26th morning of independence, Kelvin Cook made a huge pot of coffee and ate oatmeal off a plate. His Social Security check had not arrived and he was down to $5. He had a cellphone plugged into a…
Grandma Scam, IRS calls on worst of 2014 list
It’s time for the annual roundup of the top scams and consumer ripoffs of 2014. Here they are: •IRS Calls – If you didn’t get one of these calls, consider yourself lucky. These scammers would threaten to take you to…
12 Ways to Survive a Forced Early Retirement
When most workers plan for retirement, they expect to work until their full retirement age, which is 66 or 67 for people born after 1942, or even longer. But some workers find themselves out of a job at an age…