...providing retirement news snippets from various sources for federal employees, postal employees, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive Social Security . Your resource for retirement living, investment, employment, health care, and retirement leisure. - Stay Informed!
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.govTitle: 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.govTitle: 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.govArticle 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.comTitle: 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.netTitle: 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.orgTitle: 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.govTitle: 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.comTitle: 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.comTitle: 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.comTitle: 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.comTitle: 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.comTitle: How Divorce Can Affect Your Social Security Benefits
Article Snip: "1. Can you claim your ex’s Social Security benefit?...Will your ex’s benefits be reduced?...Can you claim both your and your ex’s benefits?...How much will you get in divorced spouse or survivor’s benefits?...How do you apply for these benefits?"
Reference: yahoo.comTitle: Beware Federal Employees: Mandatory Medicare First Step to Eliminating FEHB Coverage for Retirees?
Article Snip: "As is often the case in Congressional bills, the bill’s title does not reveal the real impact of the proposal. In this case, “Postal reform” legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The title is accurate but the real impact may be the potential to increase health care premiums for federal employees and retirees enrolled in Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans. The legislation could also turn out to be the first step in removing federal retirees from the FEHB. ...Creating the Postal Service Health Benefit Plan (PSHB) The bill would create separate health plans for Postal employees and retirees. These plans would be separate from the current Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) plans. For example, there would be a Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard plan for Feds and a separate one for Postal employees and retirees."
Reference: www.fedsmith.comTitle: Understanding the 4 health coverage types
Article Snip: "From USPS News Link...Do you understand the four types of health plans available to Postal Service employees? ..."
Reference: npmhu317.blogspot.comTitle: The 11 Worst Retirement Mistakes: Sidestep Them
Article Snip: "Think ahead and you can avoid these missteps and save your retirement...If you're part of the 60% of people not on track with your retirement, you can start (or continue) your journey by sidestepping these 11 financial mistakes. ..."
Reference: www.investopedia.comTitle: 7 Surprisingly Valuable Assets for a Happy Retirement
Article Snip: "...A long and happy retirement takes more than just money. Here are seven things happy retirees do – besides dutifully saving the money they’ll need to quit the 9-to-5 grind. Retirement planning is all about numbers. It centers around one question: Do my financial assets — pension, 401(k)s/IRAs, Social Security, property, sale of a business, etc. — provide enough income to fund my desired retirement lifestyle? At least, that is what most people think. But ask any retiree, and they will likely tell you that it is only half the story. You’ll need enough money to get by, of course, but you don’t have to be super wealthy to be happy. In fact, life satisfaction tops out at an annual salary of $95,000, on average, according to a study by psychologists from Purdue University (opens in new tab). Enough money to never have to worry about going broke (opens in new tab) or paying for medical care is important. But money is not the only or even the most important piece of a fulfilling retirement...."
Reference: www.kiplinger.comTitle: San Francisco Launches Program To Pay Trans Residents $1,200 A Month For 18 Months
Article Snip: "...The program is exclusive to transgender residents of the city, and led by The Transgender District, a neighborhood of the city for transgender people; it will give 55 transgender residents $1,2000 a month for up to 18 months. The move is allegedly part of an effort to advance equity for transgender people. “Guaranteed Income for Transgender..."
Reference: www.dailywire.com Is 2022 a good time to retire?
Article Snip: "US Falls to 18th Place in Global Retirement Ranking...Americans are losing ground against residents of other countries in what’s shaping up globally to be “one of the worst years to retire in recent memory,” according to a new retirement ranking. ..."
Reference: www.bloomberg.comTitle: New Jersey and New York are the worst states to retire in, according to a new report
Article Snip: "A new report from WalletHub seeks to scientifically calculate and rank the best and worst states to retire in. Coming in dead last? New Jersey. If you find yourself laughing at your Garden State neighbors from the other side of the Hudson, you may want to save your Schadenfreude – New York ranked just a hair better for retirees. ...Florida is America's best state to retire in."
Reference: www.usatoday.comeverify Social Security Lock | Protect Yourself From The Foreign Invasion Snippet of Article: "...Self Lock is the unique feature...