seniors
Closing the “Retirement Savings Gap”
It’s pretty well recognized, especially among financial planners, that Americans suffer a fairly large “retirement savings gap” – that is, they have less in savings than they will require in their so-called “golden years.” That is, of course, an unfortunate…
CMS Announces 2026 Medicare Costs
Somewhat delayed by the recent government shutdown, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finally announced the costs seniors will be required to pay for their healthcare coverage. As you likely know, Medicare consists of several “parts” called…
Looking to Increase your Retirement Savings? Here’s some good news!
For those of us who see retirement on our horizon, saving as much as possible for those “golden years” is essential. And many choose to use traditional IRAs to bolster our savings, or contribute to our employer-sponsored 401(k) or 403(b)…
Don’t overlook providers network
We are currently in the Medicare Open Enrollment period, during which Medicare recipients can make changes to their Medicare coverage. While most people consider the financial aspects of their coverage, many overlook a crucial factor: in-network providers. Julie Carter, writing…
The 2026 Medicare Advantage changes
Enrollment in Medicare Advantage, the private plan alternative to traditional Medicare, has increased steadily over the past two decades, with more than half of eligible beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage since 2023. Medicare Advantage typically offers lower premiums compared to…
Medicare will cover weight-loss drugs
Medicare will cover weight-loss drugs under a new deal with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Approximately 10 percent of Medicare enrollees who meet certain medical criteria, such as a diagnosis of obesity or related health conditions, will be eligible…
Social Security changes for 2026
It’s that time of year again when the Social Security Administration announces the program changes for 2026. What are those changes? Among those changes is that Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8 percent increase in 2026. Stefon Walters, writing…
Two biggest regrets of retirees
“Small amounts saved daily add up to huge investments in the end.” – Margo Vader The two biggest regrets of the majority of retirees are not saving enough and not starting to save early, according to the latest study by…
Are Medicare Advantage extras worth $86 billion?
Medicare Advantage plans, as part of their appeal to Medicare recipients, offer “extra” or ancillary benefits, including dental, vision, and hearing, which are not covered by original Medicare. Some plans, not all, have the SilverSneakers program, which is reimbursed by…
The maximum benefit in 2026
Along with the annual cost-of-living adjustment announcement, the Social Security Administration also released other program changes for 2026. Among the much-anticipated COLA amounts were the annual taxable earnings, the annual earnings test, and the maximum possible Social Security benefit for…