Title: Moody’s Cuts Outlook on U.S. Credit Rating
Article Snip: "...Investors Service changed its outlook on the U.S.’s credit rating to negative from stable late Friday. The ratings firm cited the federal deficit as a “key driver” behind the action. ..."
Reference:Title: The Average Retiree Spends $4,345 on Monthly Expenses
Article Snip: "...Health spending makes up $7,030 in annual spending for retirees. One way to cut costswhen health issues arise is to get easily affordable preventative care. That means staying up to date on screenings and vaccinations. Exercise also appears in study after study as a top measure to lower the risk of many diseases. Even an...average American 65 years of age and up earns an annual pre-tax income of $55,335, and that same group spends $52,141 yearly, or $4,345 a month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)."
Reference: moneywise.comTitle: How Big Is the Average Social Security Check of a Middle-Class Retiree?
Article Snip: "...As of 2022, the median household income in the U.S. was $74,580, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Assuming a middle-class retiree earned this salary and retired at age 65 — specifically 65 and 11 months — their Social Security benefit would be..."
Reference: www.aol.comTitle: AARP Massachusetts Backs Bill That Would Pay Spouses for Caregiving
Article Snip: "... AARP Massachusetts is urging state lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow people to hire their spouse as a caregiver and pay them through the state’s Medicaid program. Bay State residents can already be reimbursed for working as a caregiver to a family member through a waiver from the federal government, but spouses are not eligible. AARP Massachusetts submitted written testimony this month in favor of legislation that would broaden the definition of a family member to include a husband or wife...."
Reference: aarp.orgTitle: Another government shutdown looms: Would it impact Social Security, VA benefits?
Article Snip: "...We are again just days away from a possible government shutdown, which may leave you worried about how it could impact you. ..."
Reference: yahoo.comTitle: Funeral directors share 7 rules of etiquette and their biggest pet peeves they wish everyone knew
Article Snip: "...If you've never been to a funeral, or been in charge of planning one, it may be confusing to know what to do or what to expect.
Insider asked funeral directors to share their top etiquette rules and common pet peeves that they wish more people knew. ..."
Title: Potential Breakthrough Study Finds Cancer 'Kill Switch'
Article Snip: "...Researchers at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center have located a "kill switch" that can trigger the death of cancer cells. They identified a protein on the CD95 receptor, which is part of a cell's communication system, that can "program" cancer cells to die. This significant discovery was detailed in a study published in the journal "Cell Death & Differentiation." ..."
Reference: www.newsmax.comTitle: TV Ears Wireless Headset System
Title: Here's the Social Security Benefit Check Retirees Can Expect at Different Income Levels
Article Snip: "Social Security benefits are meant to replace about 40% of pre-retirement earnings for the average worker,...Low-income worker: $16,623 ($1,385 per month)...High-income worker: $36,283 ($3,024 per month)"
Reference: www.fool.comTitle: 2024 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles
Article Snip: "...On October 12, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2024 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. ...Each year, the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to provisions of the Social Security Act. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $174.70 for 2024, an increase of $9.80 from $164.90 in 2023. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $240 in 2024, an increase of $14 from the annual deductible of $226 in 2023. "
Reference: www.cms.govTitle: Weekly US Map: Influenza Summary Update
Article Snip: "...A Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report Prepared by the Influenza Division
Outpatient Respiratory Illness Activity Map Determined by Data Reported to ILINet
This system monitors visits for respiratory illness that includes fever plus a cough or sore throat, also referred to as ILI, not laboratory confirmed influenza and may capture patient visits due to other respiratory pathogens that cause similar symptoms. ...
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Title: CDC to expand disease surveillance at airports
Article Snip: "...the seven major airports in the United States participating in its disease surveillance program. The agency will now test for more than 30 pathogens at Boston..."
Reference: www.kplctv.comTitle: Social Security recipients struggle to pay back agency after unexpected overpayments
Article Snip: "...about a million people getting billed each year over miscalculated payments from the Social Security Administration. Retirees and disabled workers are being told to pay up, and it often doesn't matter whether they're at fault or not. ..."
Reference: www.cbsnews.comTitle: What will the maximum full-age Social Security retirement benefit be in 2024?
Article Snip: "...The SSA has published the maximum monthly benefit Social Security recipients can expect to receive if they choose to retire at their ‘full retirement age. ...a 3.2% increase in payments will see the average retiree receive $1,907 in 2024. ...The highest possible monthly payment for an American who retires at this point will be $..."
Reference: as.comTitle: Social Security Cuts: 4 Programs and Services for Boomers Struggling in Retirement
Article Snip: "...As baby boomers age into retirement, many find their financial outlook a little more uncertain than they had hoped. For several years, Congress has debated cuts to Social Security programs that could reduce or close certain services and benefits many boomers rely on. In this article, we’ll discuss potential cuts to Social Security and look at some programs and services that can provide much-needed assistance. With so much uncertainty about Social Security’s future, now is arguably an even more critical time than ever to become familiar with these proposed changes — and plan accordingly...."
Reference: www.gobankingrates.comTitle: Why Some Retirees Won’t Get the Full 3.2% Social Security COLA Next Year
Article Snip: "...not all COLAs are created equal. Although it was announced in October that Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 3.2% COLA increase next year, most retired federal workers will receive just a 2.2% raise. ..."
Reference: www.newsobserver.comArticle Excerpt: "Biden, who had appeared with striking autoworkers in Michigan in September, called it a “hard-fought agreement” that was reached after weeks of “good faith” negotiations. ...members, would include a 25 percent general pay increase over the course of a four-year contract, increased retirement benefits and more paid leave. ..."
Reference Source: www.valleycentral.com
Title: Here's what 'wealthy' means in 2023 America, in five numbers
Article Snip: "What does it take to be wealthy in 2023?...Here, then, are five numbers that illustrate what it means to be wealthy in America today. ..."
Reference: www.usatoday.comTitle: Congratulations on your upcoming federal retirement!
Article Snip: "...The Retirement Quick Guide will walk you through what to expect as your retirement application is processed and your benefits are determined. The printable version of this guide includes estimated timelines. ..."
Reference: www.opm.govArticle Snip: "...Scientists are calling for stage 3 clinical trials of an Alzheimer's drug to be scrapped after a report highlighted serious doubts about the legitimacy of research that helped the medicine reach that stage. A long-awaited report by the City University of New York (CUNY) accused one of its faculty members, neuroscientist Hoau-Yan Wang, of egregious misconduct concerning 20 research papers — defined as workplace behavior so outrageous, dangerous, or illegal that an employer cannot reasonably expect to correct it through progressive discipline. ..."
Reference: www.dailymail.co.ukTitle: Should you get a COVID booster? Here are 7 things to consider.
Article Snip: "...An updated COVID-19 vaccine has been available since last month and more than 7 million Americans have gotten boosted since then. But many people are still on the fence about whether and when to get a shot. Experts say when and whether to get a COVID booster should depend on your health status, risk tolerance, timing of last infection and other personal factors..."
Reference: www.usatoday.comTitle: Many federal retirees to receive 3.2% in 2024 COLA, but not everyone gets the same adjustment
Article Snip: "But like every year, not all federal retirees will receive the full 2024 COLA. Depending on the system under which a federal employee retires, the exact 2024 COLA amount varies. ...Based on these calculations, FERS retirees will receive a 2.2% COLA starting in January. ..."
Reference: federalnewsnetwork.comTitle: 2024 COLA for federal retirees will be 3.2%, Social...
Article Snip: "...Retirees to see smaller Social Security COLA boost as inflation...Those under FERS get the full amount if the CPI-W increase is less than 2%. If it increased between 2% and 3%, the COLA is a flat rate of 2%. If it increased more than 3%, the COLA is the value of the CPI-W minus one. "
Reference: www.federaltimes.com