Saturday, December 27, 2025

What Science Reveals About Money and a Happy Retirement

Title: What Science Reveals About Money and a Happy Retirement

Article Snip: "...research from academics, social scientists, and financial services providers is shedding light on what it takes to be truly happy in retirement — and what behaviors and circumstances detract from that happiness...How you get your money is more important than the amount.

If you get most of your spending money in retirement from guaranteed sources of income — say, Social Security combined with a pension or annuity — chances are you’re a lot happier than your peers who have to withdraw money from savings to help pay the bills. That’s the conclusion of multiple studies, which show that happiness in retirement is strongly linked to the form in which your income comes to you.

Using HRS data, for example, a Rand Corporation study found that retirees who get a regular income stream from annuities were 43% more likely to consider themselves “very satisfied” 10 years into their retirement than were retirees without annuitized income.

Your best moves: Erasing debt before you retire has a big payoff...
"

Reference: www.kiplinger.com
Science and a Happy Retirement, The Intelligent Chose Striving For A Pension Over Higher Pay Careers,Pensions, Erase Debt Before You Retire, Eating Out With a Friend, Health,






Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Simple daily habit could help people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar

Title: Simple daily habit could help people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar

Article Snip: "...Sitting next to a window may help people with type 2 diabetes control their insulin levels, according to new research.

The study, published in Cell Metabolism, found that exposure to natural light — even indoors next to a window — changes how the body processes glucose and uses energy. ...
"

Reference: www.foxnews.com
Type 2 diabetes control,Health Watch,Diabetes, Natural Light,






Is there a high dose flu shot for 65 and older seniors?

Title: Is there a high dose flu shot for 65 and older seniors?

Article Snip: "...Since the summer of 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that adults 65 years and older get immunized with what’s known as a high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine...."

Reference: www.aarp.org
High-dose flu shot,Flu vaccines for the 2025-2026 season,Adjuvanted flu vaccine, 65 and Older Immunization Recommendations,






What is the life expectancy of a U.S. male born in 1960? (Actuarial Life Table)

Title: What is the life expectancy of a U.S. male born in 1960?

Article Snip: "...The life expectancy of a U.S. male born in 1960 is approximately 77.4 years as of 2022. This figure reflects the average remaining years expected prior to death for a person at that exact age, based on mortality ..."

Reference: www.ssa.gov
life expectancy of a U.S. male born in 1960, Actuarial Life Table,






Dave Ramsey’s Advice for Aging Baby Boomers: ‘Take Social Security Early at 62’

Title: Dave Ramsey’s Advice for Aging Baby Boomers: ‘Take Social Security Early at 62’

Article Snip: "...Ramsey thinks it makes the most sense to claim Social Security as soon as possible because, as he puts, it, "Your retirement payments die when you die...so you might as well take the money and make the most of it while you can."

What Ramsey means is that if you don't end up living a long life, you can get the most money out of Social Security by signing up for benefits at 62. ...
"

Reference: finance.yahoo.com
Social Security, Life Expectancy vs. When to collect Social Security,






The SEC Is Concerned for Older Investors and Retirement Savers. Here's What You Should Know.

Title: The SEC Is Concerned for Older Investors and Retirement Savers. Here's What You Should Know.

Article Snip: "The SEC's examination priorities for next year provide warning for older investors as well as retirement savers about potential landmines to avoid. ...choosing investments that are appropriate for the client's risk tolerance and not those that generate the most in fees or commissions for the adviser. ..."

Reference: www.kiplinger.com






Friday, December 19, 2025

Social Security payments vary by state. Here's where retirees get the most — and least.

Title: Social Security payments vary by state. Here's where retirees get the most — and least.

Article Snip: "New Jersey and Connecticut have the highest median payments...As of November 2025, retired workers nationally were receiving an average monthly benefit of around $1,960, according to the Social Security Administration...Per that analysis, Social Security benefits fall short of covering older Americans' basic expenses in every state, but they stretch the furthest in states like Indiana, West Virginia, and Alabama..."

Reference: www.businessinsider.com
Social Security payments by State, 2025 Average Social Security Payment,






Some States Care About Retirees | Retirees in These 7 States Could Pay Less Property Taxes Next Year

Title: Retirees in These 7 States Could Pay Less Property Taxes Next Year

Article Snip: "Retirement property tax bills could be up to 65% cheaper for some older adults in 2026. Do you qualify?...Gov. Ron DeSantis has repeatedly called for the elimination of the property tax in Florida. ...There are also various property tax exemptions for veterans, surviving spouses, and individuals with disabilities in the Sunshine State. ..."

Reference: www.kiplinger.com
Florida, Ron DeSantis, Great Governors, Property Tax Reductions, Retiree Friendly States,Best states in the country for retirees,






Thursday, December 18, 2025

Average Monthly Costs for Retirees: A Breakdown of Housing, Food, and Other Expenses

Title: Average Monthly Costs for Retirees: A Breakdown of Housing, Food, and Other Expenses

Article Snip: "... According to the latest available federal data, which is from 2023, the total annual spending for individuals aged 65 and older in the United States averaged $60,087.1 This comes out to just over $5,000 per month. By far the biggest spending categories were housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. However, those 65 and older—many of whom are retired, but some who may not be—are also spending a significant portion of their income on entertainment.

To develop your own spending plan for retirement, see how ...
"

Reference: www.investopedia.com
Average Monthly Costs for Retirees (2023 Data),






You probably shouldn't wait till 70 to claim Social Security. Here's math to open your eyes (but nobody likes to show)

Title: You probably shouldn't wait till 70 to claim Social Security. Here's math to open your eyes (but nobody likes to show)

Article Snip: "...According to the Social Security Administration, taking your benefits as early as possible (age 62 for those born after 1960) could result in lower monthly payments. At age 67...this relatively simple math overlooks some key variables that might shock some retirement planners.

“Age 70 is not the most financially rewarding age to initiate benefits unless an individual has a low discount rate and/or is confident they will live several years past their life expectancy
"

Reference: finance.yahoo.com
Social Security






Tuesday, December 16, 2025

How One Couple Lost Their Life Savings To A Fake Federal Investigation

Title: How One Couple Lost Their Life Savings To A Fake Federal Investigation

Article Snip: "...Larry and Barbara Cook thought they were helping government agents. In the end, they found themselves victims of tax and Medicare gotchas, as well as the scammers. ...Larry scrambled to call the FTC, the agency he’d been led to believe Ryan worked for. He asked for Ryan. Instead, the agency directed him to a line to report scams. At first, Larry resisted. But eventually, when the representative told him, “Mr. Cook, I don't want to tell you this, but there is no Ryan,” he relented. ...So how can you protect yourself? The FTC suggests taking a few steps, including:"

Reference: www.forbes.com
Be Vigilant, Do Your Due Diligence, Medicare Scammers, Fake Federal Investigation, How do you protect yourself from fraud and scams?,






Health Watch | Large Review Finds Drinking Increases Cancer Risk

Title: Large Review Finds Drinking Increases Cancer Risk

Article Snip: "...Results showed that higher alcohol intake increased cancer risk, especially for breast, colon, liver, mouth, throat and GI cancers.

On the other hand, people who followed American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for alcohol and healthy lifestyle choices had a lower risk of developing or dying from cancer, researchers found.

The ACS recommends that people limit alcohol intake to two drinks...white wine or beer were linked to a higher risk of certain cancers, while liquor often was not, researchers found.
"

Reference: www.newsmax.com
Health Watch,Cancer and Alcohol,White Wine or Beer vs. Liquor,






7 Dr. Seuss Quotes Retirees Should Live By

Title: 7 Dr. Seuss Quotes Retirees Should Live By

The Cat in the Hat Hardcover – Picture Book, March 12, 1957
by Dr. Seuss
Article Snip: "...Think you can't get such sage advice from a series of children's books? Check out these seven powerful Dr. Seuss quotes retirees should live by — and get ready to be bedazzled and amazed.

Dr. Seuss Quotes to Keep Your Retirement Rhyming
1. "Today is your day, your mountain is waiting, so ... get on your way!" — Oh, the Places You'll Go!

You finally made it. After years of working and diligently saving, retirement is here. ...
"

Reference: www.kiplinger.com
Dr. Seuss Quotes Retirees Should Live By






Saturday, December 13, 2025

Federal retirement numbers continue to rise

Title: Federal retirement numbers continue to rise

Article Snip: "...Federal retirement numbers at the Office of Personnel Management are continuing to skyrocket. In November, OPM took in another 23,000 applications from retiring employees. That’s on top of more than 20,000 that entered OPM’s systems in October. Together, those numbers mean retirement applications are triple the volume they were at this time last year. In total, OPM’s retirement inventory is now closing in on 50,000 applications that are still awaiting finalization. ..."

Reference: federalnewsnetwork.com






Tuesday, December 9, 2025

How much is the average Social Security payment in each state?

Title: How much is the average Social Security payment in each state?

Article Snip: "...Social Security benefits vary by person and are determined by previous earnings, the number of years they worked and the age at which they retired. However, as a report in The Hill pointed out, the Social Security Administration’s Annual Statistical Supplement breaks down benefits by state and shows a range of payments.

The report covers benefits paid in 2024, so the 2025 COLA is not included.

The top 10 states with the highest average monthly Social Security benefits were:...
"

Reference: www.al.com
Average Social Security payment in each state (2024), Social Security Administration’s Annual Statistical Supplement,






Federal Reserve live coverage: Fed set to cut interest rates for third time this year, 2026 forecast in focus

Title: Federal Reserve live coverage: Fed set to cut interest rates for third time this year, 2026 forecast in focus

Article Snip: "...Investors expect the Fed will cut rates by 0.25%, its third cut of the year, at the conclusion of its two-day meeting, with data from the CME Group showing a 90% chance the central bank will cut rates this week. ..."

Reference: finance.yahoo.com
2025, Poor Economic Conditions Force Another Fed Rate Cut,Layoffs,Economy 2025, Trump Economy 2025,






Health Watch | FDA recalls blood pressure medication over cholesterol drug contamination

Title: FDA recalls blood pressure medication over cholesterol drug contamination

Article Snip: "...The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a nationwide recall of thousands of bottles of blood-pressure medication last week after discovering cross-contamination with another drug. ..."

Reference: www.foxbusiness.com
Cholesterol drug contamination,Food and Drug Administration (FDA),Drug Recalls,






When Are January 2026 Social Security Payments Coming?

Title: When Are January 2026 Social Security Payments Coming?

Article Snip: "...January also marks the first month that the cost-of-living adjustment, known as the COLA, for 2026 is set to be reflected in most benefit payments. Beneficiaries across all SSA programs will receive a 2.8 percent boost, the government agency confirmed in October. ...Most beneficiaries are paid based on the day of their birth, but some follow different schedules. Those who began receiving retirement, spousal or survivor benefits before May 1997..."

Reference: www.newsweek.com
January 2026 Social Security, Tiny COLA Increase for 2026 (2.8%),COLA 2026 (Social Security),






Monday, December 8, 2025

Health Watch | 4 Simple Exercises That Restore Muscle Faster Than Lifting Weights After 60

Title: 4 Simple Exercises That Restore Muscle Faster Than Lifting Weights After 60

Article Snip: "...Age-related muscle loss (known as sarcopenia) begins in your 30s and accelerates as the decades pass. Research suggests that after 60, adults naturally lose strength at a faster rate unless they intervene with resistance training. However, what most people don’t realize is that resistance training doesn’t always require lifting heavy weights. In fact, it can be created with nothing more than how you move your body and how slowly you lower into each repetition. ..."

Reference: www.eatthis.com
Sarcopenia






The average retirement age in the US (2024 Study)

Title: The average retirement age in the US

Article Snip: "...Find out when US workers are retiring, and learn how to determine the best retirement age for you. ..."

Reference: www.guardianlife.com
The average retirement age in the US (2024 Study), average retirement age is 62 (2024),