Latest News
Feds push electronic records that make fraud easier
The federal government is rewarding doctors and hospitals for moving to electronic health records — and will soon punish them if they don’t — even though these records currently make it easier for health care providers to defraud government-paid health…
Program matches retiring business owners with younger entrepreneurs
About a year ago, veterinarians Julie Ebert and Casey Thomas received postcards from The University of Kansas Redefining Retirement program asking if they were interested in selling or purchasing a veterinary clinic within the next six months to a year. The…
Facts about Medicare and retirement
Anyone turning 65 should examine their Medicare choices carefully. “Turning 65 is the trigger for your Medicare enrollment, so it’s important to study this decision as your birthday approaches,” said Paula Muschler, operations manager of the Allsup Medicare Advisor, a…
Social Security must preserve face-to-face services
As Baby Boomers reach retirement age, more and more Americans today are receiving Social Security benefits. Yet, despite this substantial increase in caseload, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is actually closing field offices. In the past five years, the SSA…
Social Security Disability: What Happens When It Runs Out of Money?
Social Security helps not only retirees but also roughly 9 million of people suffering from disabilities. Unfortunately, the trust fund that covers disability payments is in even worse financial condition than the trust fund that covers retirement benefits. What will…
Raising the ante on retirement savings
A long-held rule of thumb about how much money you need to save for retirement is under siege. The upshot is that you may need to save even more upfront to enjoy the retirement lifestyle you want. Some academics and…
The Risks of Privatizing Social Security
After three years of researching Social Security, I have finally reached the conclusion that privatizing any or all parts of Social Security will not improve the financial prospects of the system as promised by its many proponents. Privatization has fallen…
Immigrant who wrongly voted wins right to stay
A Filipino immigrant who faced deportation for nearly a decade after she registered to vote while getting a driver’s license — and then went ahead and cast a ballot — has been cleared of wrongdoing by a federal appellate court.…
Disability doesn’t mean inability
Not long ago, I was at a state conference with a group preparing for a week of meetings. I walked into the room where a handful of volunteers was busy collating stacks of handouts. I asked if I could help.…
County advocacy group offers workshop to help support residents with disabilities
WASHTENAW COUNTY – The county chapter of a group of residents with developmental or other disabilities and their allies is inviting the public to participate in its local advocacy group. There is a free training workshop scheduled for anyone interested…