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Misleading the public about Republican plans to cut Social Security
There’s a lot of hoopla since the election about supposed nefarious plans by Republicans to cut Social Security, with a recent bill introduced by Rep. Sam Johnson getting much of the attention. But the facts tell a different story; that…
Changes to Medicare rules will benefit “high need” patients
New Medicare regulations going into effect on January 1st should inure to the benefit of “high need” patients who require a more coordinated level of care. Physicians have long lamented that Medicare doesn’t reimburse them for their extra time collaborating with…
Retirement decisions that will make a difference
Managing your investments in retirement should be an important part of your planning process. How you allocate your investments, how much of your nest egg you withdraw each year to live on, and how committed you are to sticking to…
During the holidays, take time to visit Social Security online
With all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s hard to think about making an online visit to Social Security’s website. But this might be a great time for you to make that visit, and find out the…
2017 Medicare Part A and Part B price changes
Although about 70% of Medicare recipients are protected by the “hold-harmless” provision and will only see a slight Part B premium increase, there are still some changes that will affect everyone. While it’s likely that even the small Part B…
Unpaid student loans affecting Social Security benefits
Though we normally think of student loans as being a problem for millennials, many baby boomers who pursued college during middle age are finding that their student loan may affect their Social Security benefits. As this Fortune magazine article by…
Retirement strategy for those in their 40’s
When you’re in your 40’s and consumed with raising your family and keeping your head above the financial waters, planning for retirement can seem like something that can be put off. But in reality, this is exactly the time when…
Medicare outpatient services can sometimes cost more than inpatient services
Because of some idiosyncrasies in Medicare’s billing processes, outpatient services for some procedures may end up costing you more than they would if you were admitted to the hospital. Heart stents are the examples used, but how your hospital visit is classified can…
The big mistake that too many working people make.
About 28% of participants in a work-sponsored 401(k) plan take early withdrawals from that plan, which is a big mistake according to this Fox Business article by Michael Douglass. Early withdrawal is usually done for what is perceived at the…
Can I get Social Security if I’m out of the country?
Planning to be out of the country for an extended period of time? If so, you may wonder if you can still receive your Social Security payments, and the answer to that is yes, if you remain eligible by Social…