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Five things we learned in our post-Doma finance chat
The supreme court’s decision to strike down part of the Defense of Marriage Act (Doma) earlier this summer means that federal government agencies – including the IRS, the Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration – will recognize same-sex…
4 Keys to Scrutinizing Medicare Advantage Cuts
Ominous warnings about Medicare Advantage plans have sounded for more than a year. Health insurers say federal funding cuts to these privately run versions of Medicare will force them to whack plan benefits, hike premiums or leave some geographic markets entirely…
House GOP pushes distractions over policy
At the start of every Congress, the leadership of both chambers generally set aside bill numbers as a way of designating their biggest priorities. The House Republican majority, for example, will set aside H.R. 1 through H.R. 10 for their…
Ahead of the Bell: US Budget Deficit
The Treasury Department reports the U.S.budget deficit for October. The report was released at 2 p.m. EST. DECLINING DEFICIT: The deficit fell in the budget year that ended Sept. 30 to $680.3 billion. It was the first time in five years that the…
The biggest retirement planning mistake
When it comes to retirement planning, the biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing. Not spending any time learning how much retirement income you might receive from Social Security. Not determining how much you should save to make your retirement years…
Principles for the Budget Conference
For the first time in years, lawmakers have agreed to convene in a budget conference to reconcile differences between their respective budget proposals, as presented by House Budget Committee chair Paul Ryan (R–WI) and Senate Budget Committee chair Patty Murray…
Senate Aging Committee launches anti-fraud hotline: 1-855-303-9470
For those who have been a victim of a scam or fraud aimed at seniors, or suspect such a fraud, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging has set up a new toll-free hotline to help. The hotline was unveiled yesterday,…
Veterans, unions protest benefits plan in Reading
Union leaders and veterans met Tuesday in Reading to protest a federal proposal they said would cut Social Security benefits for millions. They were speaking about the so-called chained consumer price index, a proposal that would change the cost-of-living adjustment…
MEDICARE: 4 Ways to Protect Your Identity and Information
Guard your information. Be wary of giveaways. Don’t lend your identity. If you spot something, say something. These are 4 simple ways to protect your identity and personal information from Medicare fraud, but they can be difficult to do if…
Is Obamacare putting undue burden on young?
I am one of those older people, and I think the young are getting the shaft. It is not just Obamacare. Add to it the cost of Medicare and Social Security and the young are being bled dry. What I…