Latest News
Withdrawal rules on retirement funds loosened for Irma victims
The rules for withdrawing money from retirement accounts such as 401(k)s are normally fairly strict and carry penalties if they are abused. But for those who live in areas that were affected by Hurricane Irma, the IRS has temporarily loosened…
Here’s a secret: Your Social Security number is no secret!
Back in the “good old days”, identity theft was mainly credit card fraud. Most people thought, and even today still think, that their Social Security number was and is their own personal secret identification number, and as long as they…
Freezing your credit, and how to do it
The Equifax breach of consumer personal data is only one of many which have occurred in recent years. That means that there’s a very real possibility that your personal data, including your Social Security number, may already be in the…
Should biometrics replace Social Security numbers for identification?
In the wake of the massive breach of consumer data at Equifax, many are suggesting that it’s high time that we stopped using the Social Security number (SSN) as a means of identification. Some are suggesting that a new national…
Seniors most vulnerable to hurricanes
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have certainly issued a wake up call that the forces of nature can be devastating. But when disaster strikes, seniors often find themselves having considerable difficulty coping with the stress and the survival skills needed. As…
Staying active reduces disability risks
Statistically, about 1 in 5 Americans might well end up disabled, and the risk to senior citizens is even greater. But adding less than an hour each week of moderate exercise goes a long ways to reducing the immobility risks…
What you can do to protect yourself from the Equifax hack
Everyone by now knows that Equifax, one of the three major credit bureaus, was hacked resulting in the personal data of about 143 million Americans being stolen. While the news has made the headlines, much too little has been written…
Social Security and erroneous death reporting
Imagine your surprise when you go to pay for a meal with your debit card, only to find out it doesn’t work because Social Security has erroneously reported your death to your bank. This was the case for an unfortunate…
Medicare Advantage Plans: What you need to know
A Medicare Advantage plan, essentially an alternative to traditional Medicare Parts A & B (and often Part D), can be a very cost effective vehicle for your heath care needs. But these plans are offered by private insurers who can…
Decomplicating your retirement planning
There are few who would argue that planning for retirement is an easy task; after all, forecasting a future filled with unknowns seems almost like an exercise in futility. But retirement planning is, perhaps, one great example of where the “KISS…