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Survey shows retirement outlook differs between generations
The face of retirement for today’s workers differs sharply by generation, a nationwide survey recently revealed. Earlier this year, Harris Poll conducted the 15th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey – one of the largest and longest-running surveys of its kind. Results showed that…
Local Vet Says Long Wait For V.A. Treatment Lead To Disability
A local veteran says he is also a victim, in the national uproar over long wait times for vets at V.A. clinics and hospitals. Last week, a report said the Fargo VA is doing a good job with an average wait…
Retirement: Great, affordable destinations you may not have thought of
Ready to retire, but it’s too hot in Arizona and Florida? Too expensive where you are? Or you just want to live someplace else? Here’s our annual look at a few places you may not have thought of as retirement destinations.…
When best-laid retirement plans meet grand-baby
That’s colloquial Spanish for “What can I do for you?” or simply “Yes?” But Elizabeth isn’t a native Spanish speaker. Neither am I, nor is her grandmother Pam. Spanish is colonizing our household speech because we all live together most…
Medicare Could Save Billions By Scrapping Random Drug Plan Assignment
A new study finds that Medicare is spending billions of dollars more than it needs to on prescription drugs for low-income seniors and disabled beneficiaries. In 2013, an estimated 10 million people who participate in the Medicare prescription drug program, known…
Social Security Disability Approval Rates Drop To Lowest Level In Five Years,
The approval rate for people seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits has dropped to its lowest level in five years, according to Allsup, the nations premier disability representation company®. Only 48 percent of those who sought disability benefits were approved…
Retirement planning as marriage counseling
We marry for a combination of reasons — mutual attraction, shared values and a common vision of a desired future. That future, however, is often near term, making a home, raising a family — but very few young couples discuss…
THE INDIVIDUAL NEED FOR DISABILITY INSURANCE
Many people believe that their biggest asset is their home. For most of us, our biggest asset is the ability to work and earn an income. Not being able to work – due to a job loss or a disability…
Faces and Facts of Disability
Social Security benefits are for much more than just retirement. In mid-May, I wrote about the start and growth of the Social Security disability program. To add to SSA website information about disability benefits and how to apply for them, recently the Social…
Washingtonians Weigh In on Future of Social Security
Free public forums this week in Bellingham and Seattle will cover the future of Social Security. For just over half of married couples and three-quarters of single people, Social Security makes up at least half of their retirement income. And it…