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Guide to Life: Switching Medicare plan could save you money
With the annual Medicare open-enrollment period nearing, many senior citizens might be thinking, “I’m not sure a change is worth the headache.” As tempted as enrollees might be to stick with their existing plans, however, experts strongly advise against doing so.…
Medicare enrollment help available
People who have or qualify for Medicare coverage can get free help during open enrollment from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. CLAIM, Missouri’s free Medicare counseling program, provides free, confidential advice at Primaris, 200 N. Keene St. Certified volunteers will be…
7 Myths You Probably Believe About Social Security
When it comes to retirement planning, there’s a lot of focus on saving and investing for retirement, and rightfully so. After all, this is the piece of your retirement plan that you have the most control over. But another significant…
Norway ranks No. 1, Afghanistan last, in quality of life for over-60s
Norway on top of the world in quality of life for the elderly, U.S. in eighth place. No country takes better care of its seniors than Norway, where those over 60 enjoy social security bankrolled by the nation’s oil wealth and…
Is Prepaying A Mortgage A Good Retirement Investment Option?
I recently wrote an article, Why Housing Is A Bad Long-Term Investment But You Should Buy Anyways, reviewing the reasons why the purchase of a home as a pure investment option might not always be the best option for long-term financial planning…
California Judge Rules That There’s Nothing Sacred About Pension Promises
In a shot heard round the pension world, a California judge has ruled that in municipal bankruptcies, public employees are no more protected than bondholders. The ruling opens the door for financially strapped towns across the state to cut pension…
Domina, Sasse differ on Social Security, tax reform
Senate candidates Dave Domina and Ben Sasse continued to disagree Thursday about retention of the Affordable Care Act, but voiced more nuanced differences about Social Security and tax reform.The two major-party nominees made separate presentations to the Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska during its…
Suit Seeks Equity in Social Security Survivor Benefits
Attorneys for Deborah Tevyaw say the Social Security Administration has wrongly denied survivor benefits to her and others who have been in same-sex marriages. A new lawsuit seeks to win Social Security benefits for same-sex married couples that are equal to…
Securing Social Security
There was this at the Senate debate in Iowa on Sunday: “I will fight hard to protect Social Security and Medicare for seniors like my mom and dad because our Greatest Generation has worked so hard for the American dream for…
4 ways to win at Social Security
Like lots of other things related to money and the government, Social Security is devilishly complex. One of the best minds unraveling its mysteries is Mary Beth Franklin, a contributing editor to Investment News, a magazine for financial advisers. Franklin just…