Latest News
Social Security may be holding kidney transplant for local donor
A Fort Hood soldier is waiting to donate her kidney but her uncle says Social Security is causing them to wait on the procedure. Bobbie Lee Hubbard is a Fort Hood soldier who is ready and willing to donate her…
Retirement: How couples resolve financial fights
Couples are often at loggerheads on how to spend their money in retirement. She may may want to live it up a little, but he wants to pinch pennies so they don’t run out of money. For some couples, such…
Wave of disability lawsuits threatens small businesses in Stanislaus County
A rash of discrimination lawsuits against small businesses appears to be spreading south from Sacramento through Stockton, Manteca and Ripon to Stanislaus County’s literal doorstep. The latest wave swamped Barnwood Restaurant, a familiar Highway 99 sight that closed a few…
Crisis Nobody Talks About: Long-term Care
When you try to gauge the biggest risks to your financial security in retirement, health care costs usually top the list. But there’s even bigger danger that doesn’t get as much attention: long-term care costs. By whatever measure you use,…
Medicare Official: Obamacare “Bailout” Of Insurers To Be Financed By New Tax
For months, there have been assertions that the mechanisms embedded in Obamacare, designed to offset losses that insurance companies will take this year on their exchange business, amount to a bailout of the insurance industry. At the same time, it…
How to Pay Self-Employed Tax Estimate for Social Security, Medicare; More About Benefits
Most of the questions asked in the Social Security Q&A have to do with benefits – when should you take them, how can you estimate them – and it is the same this week. There is an unusual divergence this…
Homeless, disabled struggle to receive social security income
Vallejo’s John Carter is a homeless AIDS patient, and his Supplemental Security Income application has been denied twice since March. A few months ago, The Times-Herald published Carter’s struggle to receive care as a homeless man, and he’s since received…
Learning to adapt key after spouse’s death
There is a very common contingency that no one seems to plan for. Everything is planned for couples — two Social Security checks, two retirement funds, etc. Since most of us are not fortunate enough to go out together, one…
Delaying Social Security Is ‘Best Decision’ – Morningstar Conference
Delaying Social Security payments until 70 is one of the best decisions retirees can make. Michael Kitces, director of research for Pinnacle Advisory Group, said circumstances have changed so that it makes sense to put off taking Social Security. “Everyone gets an…
Social Security: Are Longer Life Expectancies a Threat to Your Benefits
Being smart about Social Security involves making guesses about your life expectancy, and over the past few decades the longevity of retirees has trended steadily upward. But while that’s good news for you, it could be bad news for the…