Here’s what Secure 2.0 means for you if you’re getting close to retirement

Title: Here’s what Secure 2.0 means for you if you’re getting close to retirement

Article Snip: "...Because there are more than 90 provisions in Secure 2.0, there are other changes that could impact your retirement planning. For instance, there are modifications related to annuities and qualified charitable distributions that may factor into how you plan financially for your retirement.  Additionally, if you’ve lost track of a retirement plan you had at a previous employer, be aware that Secure 2.0 directs the Labor Department to create, within two years, a national online, searchable “lost and found” database. ..."

Reference: www.cnbc.com

If I have retiree coverage through the FEHB, do I need to enroll in Medicare?

Title: If I have retiree coverage through the FEHB, do I need to enroll in Medicare?

Article Snip: "...Should I enroll in Part B if I have FEHB coverage? Deciding whether to enroll in Part B is complicated. And unlike Medicare Part A, all enrollees pay a premium for Medicare Part B ($171.10/month in 2022 for most people). While FEHB plans cover most of the same types of expenses that Medicare covers, FEHB plans’ coverage may be more limited than Medicare Part B when it comes to orthopedic and prosthetic devices, durable medical equipment, home healthcare, medical supplies, and chiropractic care. Conversely, FEHB plans cover emergency care received outside the United States, and this isn’t covered by Original Medicare at all – and is rarely covered by Medicare Advantage. FEHB plans may also pay for vision and dental care that’s not covered by Original Medicare and is limited in Medicare Advantage. ..."

Reference: www.medicareresources.org
Medicare and FEHB,Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, FEHB plans, vision and dental care,

How Current and Future Federal Retirees Could Be Affected by the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022

Title: How Current and Future Federal Retirees Could Be Affected by the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022

Article Snip: "...Many health insurance professionals recommend that federal retirees enroll in both an FEHB health plan together and in the “original” Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B). In so doing, they will minimize -and for most federal retirees – eliminate any out-of-pocket medical expenses. This means no deductibles, no co-insurance, no co-payments. ..."

Reference: www.myfederalretirement.com
Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, Medicare Parts A and B, Original Medicare,

Retired Postal Worker’s Poem Reflects on Service with USPS

Title: Retired Postal Worker’s Poem Reflects on Service with USPS

Article Snip: "...In 1962, William Costello, the Superintendent of Mails for Willimantic, Connecticut, wrote the poem, “The Veteran Letter Carrier’s Farewell,” which marked the end of his 40 years of service with the Unities States Postal Service. ..."

Reference: www.danapointtimes.com
William Costello, Poet, ...a retired postal worker, 'The Veteran Letter Carrier’s Farewell',

People in their 60s and older play pickleball because they can

Title: People in their 60s and older play pickleball because they can

Article Snip: "...Pickleball is a low-impact sport that can be played by more people. You will regularly see people in their 60s and older play pickleball because they can. The court size is only 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, or about 1/4th the size of a tennis court. Hence, there is much less ground to cover. ..."

Reference: www.financialsamurai.com
Pickleball,Retirement Activities,Sports in Retirement,

Will Social Security be taxed when I retire?

Title: Will Social Security be taxed when I retire?

Article Snip: "...When you’re calculating taxes, you must include in income a portion of your Social Security benefits depending on your income, said Bernie Kiely, a certified financial planner and certified public accountant with Kiely Capital Management in Morristown. ...The `base amount’ for a single person is $25,000 and for a married couple filing jointly it is $32,000,” Kiely said."

Reference: www.nj.com
Social Security Benefits,Taxes on Social Security,

The Downsides of Retirement That Nobody Talks About

Title: The Downsides of Retirement That Nobody Talks About

Article Snip: "...The realities you face when you stop working might be a far cry from your retirement dream. Of course, retiring broke or not being able to retire at all are among the worst-case scenarios. Click through to find out 14 downsides of retiring that no one talks about, along with solutions to avoid each potential problem. ..."

Reference: www.gobankingrates.com
Downsides of Retirement

Average Social Security Benefit for 2023

Title: Average Social Security Benefit for 2023

Article Snip: "...Most seniors don't manage to score the highest possible Social Security benefit. In fact, it's estimated that the average monthly benefit in 2023 will be..."

Reference: www.nasdaq.com
Average Social Security Benefit for 2023

OPM Retirement Center

Title: OPM Retirement Center

Article Snip: "...OPM is here to help you transition from serving the American people to enjoying your retirement. These links are useful to new and existing retirees throughout their retirement journey...."

Reference: www.opm.gov
OPM Retirement Center

Genetic Signatures of Exceptional Longevity in Humans

Title: Genetic Signatures of Exceptional Longevity in Humans

Article Snip: "...Like most complex phenotypes, exceptional longevity is thought to reflect a combined influence of environmental (e.g., lifestyle choices, where we live) and genetic factors. To explore the genetic contribution, we undertook a genome-wide association study of exceptional longevity in 801 centenarians (median age at death 104 years) and 914 genetically matched healthy controls. Using these data, we built a genetic model that includes...and our findings suggest that different variants of these genes may have a protective role. The most intriguing examples are LMNA and WRN: while specific variants of these two genes determine progeria and accelerated aging, alternative variants may increase life span. "

Reference: nih.gov

Is longevity determined by genetics?

Title: Is longevity determined by genetics?

Article Snip: "The duration of human life (longevity) is influenced by genetics, the environment, and lifestyle. ...Now people in the United States live about 80 years on average, but some individuals survive for much longer. Scientists are studying people in their nineties (called nonagenarians) and hundreds (called centenarians, including semi-supercentenarians of ages 105-109 years and supercentenarians, ages 110+) to determine what contributes to their long lives. They have found...The study of longevity genes is a developing science. It is estimated that about 25 percent of the variation in human life span is determined by genetics, but which genes, and how they contribute to longevity, are not well understood. A few of the common variations (called polymorphisms) associated with long life spans are found in the APOE, FOXO3, and CETP genes"

Reference: medlineplus.gov

The Worst 11 Foods to Eat When You're Trying to Lose Visceral Fat, According to Dietitians and Doctors

Title: The Worst 11 Foods to Eat When You're Trying to Lose Visceral Fat, According to Dietitians and Doctors

Article Snip: "...foods high in carbohydrates like bread, cereals, and processed fats lead to an increase in visceral fat." Unlike subcutaneous fat that you pinch and feel, visceral fat is hidden deep in your abdomen and coils around your organs. It's been linked to some cancers, type 2 diabetes and more. "Too much visceral fat is unhealthy because of its location in relation to key organs...There's a number of ways to lose visceral fat like ..."

Reference: www.eatthis.com
Health,Diet,

Never Too Late: Building Muscle and Strength After 60

Title: Never Too Late: Building Muscle and Strength After 60

Article Snip: "Retirees, take note and flex that bicep...The UAB Center for Exercise Medicine at the University of Alabama has carried out many studies showing that people in their 60s and 70s, who were supervised in a weight-training program, were able to build muscle and strength. ..."

Reference: baptisthealth.net

Can you build muscle after 70 years old?

Title: Can you build muscle after 70 years old?

Article Snip: "...Seniors Can Still Bulk Up On Muscle By Pressing Iron Our muscle mass decreases at surprising rates as we get older. But researchers found that people older than 50 can not only maintain but actually increase their muscle mass by lifting weights. ...The muscle has to adapt to the damage and build itself up to be prepared for the next weightlifting assault. In this way, muscles build fiber and actually increase in size. ..."

Reference: www.npr.org

What Everyone Should Know about the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)

Title: What Everyone Should Know about the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)

Article Snip: "...CDC recommends that adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease. Adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy should also get two doses of Shingrix, as they have a higher risk of getting shingles and related complications. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you Shingrix as a shot in your upper arm. Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN..."

Reference: www.cdc.gov
CDC recommends,Shingles, Shingrix, recombinant zoster vaccine,

Why Does Shingles Lead to Stroke? Scientists Might Have an Answer

Title: Why Does Shingles Lead to Stroke? Scientists Might Have an Answer

Article Snip: "...According to recent research from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, scientists looking into why people who have had shingles are at a higher risk of stroke now believe the answer lies within lipid vesicles called exosomes that transport proteins and genetic information between cells. The study explores the mechanisms behind the connection between shingles and strokes and was recently published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. “Most people know about the painful rash associated with shingles, but they may not know that the risk of stroke is elevated for a year after infection..."

Reference: scitechdaily.com

5 Hidden Tax Benefits of Retiring in Florida

Title: 5 Hidden Tax Benefits of Retiring in Florida

Article Snip: "It’s no secret that Florida is a mecca for retirees. ...Florida’s cost of living is 1% higher than the national average, with housing being 2% higher than the national average, and utilities 3% higher, according to RentCafe data. However, these are offset by the lower costs of basic necessities such as food, clothing and healthcare — which are 2% lower.  These lower costs combined with the tax advantages make Florida a no-brainer retirement state for many Americans. ..."

Reference: www.nasdaq.com
www.nasdaq.com

Top-rated retirement systems around the globe

Title: Top-rated retirement systems around the globe

Article Snip: "A new report from Morningstar evaluates retirement systems in eight “highly educated and wealthy countries” often cited in independent studies as being among the best in their regions. In a recent webinar reviewing the report, authors Andy Pettit, director, policy research at Morningstar, and Lia Mitchell, senior analyst, policy research, discussed some of the more effective features that they found in the countries that they studied and some areas that would benefit from change in those countries, including the United States. ..."

Reference: www.pensionpolicyinternational.com

Working as a Retiree? 3 Pitfalls You Should Know About

Title: Working as a Retiree? 3 Pitfalls You Should Know About

Article Snip: "Working as a retiree might seem like a good idea, but it could have unwanted financial consequences. Since the latter part of 2021, consumers have been buckling under the weight of inflation. And higher living costs have especially taken a toll on retirees who are limited to a fixed income. As such, some older Americans are making the decision to return to work in some capacity in order to cope with inflation. ..."

Reference: www.fool.com
Working in Retirement

30-year-old boyfriend is person of interest after retiree vanishes

Title: 30-year-old boyfriend is person of interest after retiree vanishes

Article Snip: "Investigators say 59-year-old Deborah Moneymaker Lanham of Wellborn, Florida, was reported missing by her family Dec. 14. Wellborn is about 75 miles west of Jacksonville. ...Her 30-year-old boyfriend is in the Madison County Jail “on charges unrelated to this investigation” as of Dec. 19, officials said."

Reference: www.miamiherald.com