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Dollars and sense: Thinking about long-term care coverage
One of the greatest challenges when it comes to planning for retirement is trying to predict future healthcare expenses. Additionally, many people are living longer – well into their 80s or 90s – which makes the need for long-term care…
Developing saving as a habit earlier makes for a happier retirement
For some, retirement is close at hand. For others, it’s years away. Chris Davidson talks with one financial adviser, who gives us some tips about planning for the future. As you plan your retirement, you can check all the financial websites,…
Tax increases make year-end planning important for upper-income households
A year ago, it was difficult for taxpayers to do last-minute tax planning because of uncertainty surrounding expiring tax breaks from the Bush era. Lawmakers were at loggerheads on which, if any, deductions and credits to keep and whether to let…
Get ready for ‘what-ifs’
The future holds many uncertainties, and your retirement is no exception: “What age should I retire?” “How long will I live in retirement?” “When should I start taking Social Security?” “How will rising medical costs affect me?” That’s why planning…
Ring in the New Year with a COLA
Many people ring in the new year with Champagne. People who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income get to ring it in with a COLA. This year, more than 60 million Americans are receiving a 1.5 percent cost of…
Light At The End Of The Tunnel: Surviving The SSD Claims Process
When you’re unable to work and waiting for a Social Security Disability Insurance claim to be approved, it can seem that there is no relief in sight. While the process can be long and complicated, there are resources to help…
Polling on the deficit: Why question order matters
Polling organizations devote a great deal of attention to the wording of survey questions, but they need to be just as concerned about how questions are ordered. The context in which a specific question is asked, particularly what directly precedes a…
Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert
This Tuesday, the Senate voted to end debate on a two-year budget deal and put it up for final passage. On Wednesday, the deal passed the Senate in a 64-36 vote. The bill sets spending levels for 2014 and 2015…
Medicare and preventative services
You may have heard about “preventive health care,” but what does that mean? At its most basic, preventive health care means living a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy weight. And stop smoking. Like anyone else, people…
Senate Approves Budget, Obama Expected To Sign
The Senate approved a bipartisan federal budget Wednesday that could lead to two rare years of fiscal stability for a government that’s lurched from showdown to showdown for two years. The modest plan largely maintains the status quo, doing nothing to…