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Senator Merkley Introduces Legislation to Give Seniors a Raise
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced the Fair Raises for Seniors Act in the Senate that would increase Social Security benefits for seniors by changing the cost of living adjustment (COLA) formula to keep up with inflation. The current formula…
Medicare May Be Overpaying for Short-Stay Patients
The federal government may be overpaying hospitals an estimated $5 billion as a result of the 18-month moratorium on enforcing a controversial rule that tells hospitals when patients should be admitted, an independent Medicare auditing company told a congressional panel. Last…
The impact of health costs on Social Security: another reason for an annuity
With the rules of retirement having been changed and the average retiree depending on Social Security more and more, the need to be able to help them generate another form of guaranteed income has never been greater. Social Security planning is…
Ways and Means hearing focuses on controversial 2-midnight rule
Tuesday’s House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hearing on current hospital issues in the Medicare program demonstrated that there is broad agreement that last year’s “2-midnight rule” for determining hospital inpatient status in a more standardized way…
Same-sex couples save the most
If you’re a fan of “Modern Family”–or are simply aware of what’s going on around you—it should come as no surprise that fewer and fewer U.S. households resemble Ozzie and Harriet’s (or Phil and Claire Dunphy’s). But what kind of impact…
IRI to provide health care cost tool to members
Some 150,000 financial advisers will have access to estimates for retirees’ health care costs thanks to a new partnership between the Insured Retirement Institute and HealthView Services Inc. The IRI announced Tuesday that it would give its member firms – comprised…
How we make retirement decisions
Sweeping generalizations about how men and women think about money have always rubbed me the wrong way. Obviously, these are deeply personal and unique feelings. Still, I like to rely on quantifiable evidence when possible, at the very least to…
5 Ruthless Retirement Tips From House Of Cards
You might not normally include “ruthlessness” in a list of your coveted characteristics. Thankfully, most people aren’t ruthless and cunning — most of us strive to be good people and contribute to society. However, suspending judgment for a moment, some degree…
10,996,447: Disability Beneficiaries Hit New Record
The total number of disability beneficiaries in the United States rose from 10,981,423 in March to 10,996,447 in April, setting a new all-time record, according to newly released data from the Social Security Administration. The number of Americans receiving disability benefits continues to…
Retirement: bridging my income gap
I plan on living at least until 90. That’s not chutzpah talking; it’s heredity. My grandmother lived to age 95, and my mom is going strong at 89. Given that I may have to stretch my retirement savings over 25…