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

How Divorce Can Affect Your Social Security Benefits

Title: 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.com
Divorce Can Affect Your Social Security Benefits

Beware Federal Employees: Mandatory Medicare First Step to Eliminating FEHB Coverage for Retirees?

Title: 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.com
Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHB),Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB),Medicare,

Understanding the 4 health coverage types

Title: 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.com
Open Season

The 11 Worst Retirement Mistakes: Sidestep Them

Title: 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.com

7 Surprisingly Valuable Assets for a Happy Retirement

Title: 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.com
Retirement Tips,Health in Retirement,

Sissy Nation: Get Your $1,200 per Month for Being in Transgender Resident

Title: 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
Transgender Privilege, Free Money, San Francisco,

Is 2022 a good time to retire?

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.com
2022 Retirement, Worst Year to Retire,Biden/Harris Inflation,

New Jersey and New York are the worst states to retire in, according to a new report

Title: 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.com
Crime, No Cash Bail, Worst states to retire in, New York, New Jersey,

Office of Personnel Management hack $63M settlement approved by federal judge

Office of Personnel Management hack $63M settlement approved by federal judge

From the article: "...Following the final fairness hearing, prospective participants will still have until Dec. 23 to join the lawsuit, after which the validity of each claim will be assessed. Assuming there are no appeals, payouts to claimants are expected to take place in the first or second quarter of next year. Under terms of the settlement, each claimant is entitled to a minimum of $700 per claim, up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim. ...Following the breach, OPM contracted with credit monitoring company ID Experts to provide monitoring services to victims of the breach. ...For more information on the settlement or the claims process, please visit www.opmdatabreach.com, which is the website was established consistent with the terms of the settlement agreement. "

Article Reference: www.fedscoop.com
OPM Hack 2015

Federal employee health-care premiums to rise 8.7 percent on average

Title: Federal employee health-care premiums to rise 8.7 percent on average

Article Snip: "...Premiums in the health-care program for federal employees and retirees will increase by 8.7 percent on average for 2023 — the largest increase in more than a decade, the government announced Friday. That change in Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premiums is significantly larger ..."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premiums 2023, detruction of the Federal and Postal retiree,

How will changing federal agencies affect my retirement?

Title: How will changing federal agencies affect my retirement?

Article Snip: "...The following is a question submitted by a Federal Times readers about retirement and other issues facing the federal workforce. It is answered by Reg Jones, a charter member of the senior executive service and a Federal Times columnist since 1995. Question: My situation is that I have 32 plus years federal civilian service, approximately 10 with DoD and the remainder with DOI. My plan is to retire..."

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Changing Federal Agencies vs Retirement,

Study examines brain structure that may help 'super-agers' stay sharp

Title: Study examines brain structure that may help 'super-agers' stay sharp

Article Snip: "...Researchers have discovered another clue as to how some older people stay sharp as a tack into their 80s and beyond: Their brain cells are really big. The study focused on what scientists have dubbed "super-agers" -- a select group of elderly adults who have the memory skills of people decades younger. ..."

Reference: www.upi.com
Health in Retirement, super-agers,

Republicans have an opportunity to force Biden’s hand on border security

Title: Republicans have an opportunity to force Biden’s hand on border security

Article Snip: "The ingenious plan of former Trump adviser Stephen Miller is for Republicans to focus attention on Biden’s border crisis by refusing to pass the bill without an amendment to deal with the invasion at the southern border. They also must ensure the continuing resolution expires by February so an incoming Republican majority will not be handcuffed next year"

Reference: nypost.com

'Social Security And Medicare Cuts' | House GOP Says it Out Loud

Title: House GOP Says 'Social Security And Medicare Cuts' Out Loud

Article Snip: "..."This agenda is yet another reminder of who Republicans work for: Their Wall Street and Big Pharma donors," said Lawson. House Republicans are rolling out their agenda just weeks ahead of November midterm elections that will decide control of Congress next year. Politico reported Thursday that several Republican Senate candidates have openly advocated privatization of Social Security and Medicare on the campaign trail in recent weeks. "The privatization is hugely important..."

Reference: crooksandliars.com
Social Security Recipients Need Pay Increase Above Yearly COLA's, Destruction of Social Security, Destruction of the Working Class,social security,

Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) Update

Title: Postal Retirees Deserve Better: Urge Congress to Pass H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act

Article Snip: "...The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal the WEP, which penalizes many APWU retirees who receive a civil service pension but paid into Social Security in previous employment. It also repeals the GPO, which unfairly penalizes many spouses and widows with prior employment pensions. This vote means that we are closer than ever to removing the GPO and WEP. ..."

Reference: apwu.org
Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), Government Pension Offset (GPO), WEP Update,CSRS,Age-Based Discrimination in COLA application (FERS vs CSRS),

Why is the Biden Admin Ignoring the Social Security Pensioners While Giving Money Freely to Illegals and Unions

Title: Why is the Biden Admin Ignoring the Social Security Pensioners While Giving Money Freely to Illegals and Unions

The Biden Administration is flooding the United States with unvetted illegals, inhumanely flooding cities, schools and other resources. Additionally, Biden is buying the votes of college loan debtors and now rail workers while negotiating secret deals. At the same time the Biden Admin is severely underestimating the rage of the retired and retiring blue collar workers on Social Security. With a huge, enraged voting block of 69.1 million people receiving benefits from programs administered by the Social Security Administration ( SSA ) in 2019, the Biden Admin will see this overlooked, huge populace make a statement thru voting in the midterms and 2024. Sadly, the military hating Biden admin has abandoned disabled veterans as well by not increasing Social Security pay and V.A. disability. Again, with a fairly sizeable voting block of Nearly 3.9 million veterans (19.5%) receiving disability compensation, this overlooked group will speak at the voting booth as well. It is truly sad that the United States, under the Biden Administration, military disabled veterans and social security pensioners dont mean anything to them since most are not in the workforce anymore. It's like the Biden Administration feels this large group of voters (and families) are meaningless after they have served their purpose. It is horrible and a huge humanitarian crisis to ignore our once hardworking and loyal workforce. The Biden Admin needs to start looking out for the best interest of Americans ...especially those trying to survive on Social Security. These groups need to stand together and make their voice clear thru voting.

Reference: The Federal Retirement News
social security,Humanitarian Crisis of the Elderly,The Forgotten Americans,Biden Legacy,Biden Admin,

Biden Ignores Elderly on Social Security But Intervenes in Rail Strike Threat Providing Huge Wage Increases

Title: Biden scores deal on rail strike, but worker discontent emerges

Article Snip: "Union leaders had pushed for 15 days of paid sick leave, but the proposed deal landed on just one day. “It’s impossible right now to make heads or tails of what this agreement means, and it’s disgraceful how opaque is it,” said Ron Kaminkow, a locomotive engineer and member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. White House, which had launched an all-out effort in recent days to prevent a shutdown that could have had significant economic and political ramifications in the run-up to the 2022 midterm elections. ..."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Haters of the Elderly, Joe Biden, Biden Admin, Starving Social Security Pensioners, Social Security, Destruction of those on Social Security,

What are the 13 states that don't tax pensions or Social Security?

Title: What are the 13 states that don't tax pensions or Social Security?

Article Snip: "States without pension or Social Security taxes include:

Alabama.

Alaska.

Florida...

"

Reference: usnews.com
13 states that don't tax pensions or Social Security

China and Mexico are Winning at the U.S. Destruction Game With the Help of the Biden Admin

Title: From China to Mexico to NYC: How fentanyl became ‘a weapon of mass destruction’ in the US

Article Snip: "Once fentanyl reaches the market, traffickers move it to nearby apartments where the drug gets chopped up and packaged into small glassine envelopes. The drugs are then sold on the streets of the city — and up and down the East Coast. “It comes in with the produce,” said Bridget Brennan, who heads the city’s Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, noting that densely packed fentanyl bricks, hidden in box trucks and 18-wheelers, travel by highways from the border with Mexico to the Great Lakes region before coming east. ..."

Reference: nypost.com
Domestic Terrorism Thru Drugs, Biden's War on America, Why do Democrats Hate the United States?, Destruction of America, fentanyl terrorism,Biden Legacy,Harris Legacy,

America’s $7 Trillion Retirement Crisis Is Only Getting Worse

Title: America’s $7 Trillion Retirement Crisis Is Only Getting Worse

Article Snip: "...Economic turmoil took a toll on savings in the first half of 2022 and that’s just the tip of the iceberg as many in the US lack employer-sponsored plans. ..."

Reference: www.bloomberg.com

Bill would eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits: ‘You Earned It, You Keep It’

Title: Bill would eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits: ‘You Earned It, You Keep It’

Article Snip: "... Minnesota Democrat is pushing Congress to eliminate federal taxes on Social Security. U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, recently introduced the “You Earned It, You Keep It Act” to repeal federal taxes on Social Security benefits for retirees across the country. ..."

Reference: www.al.com
You Earned It, You Keep It Act

No Pay Raise for Federal/Postal Retirees but Biden plans 4.6 percent average pay raise for federal employees in 2023

Title: No Pay Raise for Federal/Postal Retirees but Biden plans 4.6 percent average pay raise for federal employees in 2023

Article Snip: "...For civilian federal employees covered by the General Schedule and some other pay systems, Biden said there would be a 4.1 percent across-the-board base pay increase..."

Reference: thehill.com