Title: Everything You Can Try if You Can’t Hear Dialog in Movies and Shows
Article Snip: "...Tweak these settings and stop missing out on what’s being said. ..."
Reference: www.wired.com...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: Everything You Can Try if You Can’t Hear Dialog in Movies and Shows
Article Snip: "...Tweak these settings and stop missing out on what’s being said. ..."
Reference: www.wired.comTitle: Donald Trump wins 2024 presidential election, defying the odds again
Article Snip: "Trump, 78, was on course for an Electoral College landslide over Vice President Kamala Harris after he reversed his 2020 losses in the crucial states of Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. ...“We’re going to help our country heal,” Trump added, “and it needs help very badly. We’re going to fix our borders … fix everything about our country.” ..."
Reference: nypost.comArticle Snip: "...veteran homelessness is still a big problem, and there are over 33,000 homeless veterans. Some states offer better conditions for those who have served our country, though. To help military veterans find the best places in which to settle down, WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 19 key indicators of livability, affordability and veteran-friendliness. They range from the share of military skill-related jobs to veteran income growth to the availability of VA health facilities. ..."
Reference: wallethub.comTitle: Donald Trump presidency could have pros and cons for retirees, according to financial observers.
Article Snip: "... Eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits
Encourage lower interest rates
Extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
..."
Title: Amazon One Medical Healthcare Service
Article Snip: "...Taking care of your health has never been easier. Get 24/7 virtual care for common conditions with One Medical..."
Reference: health.amazon.comTitle: Get the New 'Medicare & You' Handbook for 2025
Article Snip: "six ways Medicare will change next year, according to this official Medicare guide. ...The Medicare handbook has many formats
There are multiple formats of the "Medicare & You" handbook available for download. Whether English is your second language or if you suffer from impaired vision — you should be able to find one to suit your needs.
A large print edition can be found here, you can access an audio version here and you can download copies in e-book or Mobi formats here. A braille edition can be requested by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and you can also make the request online through your Medicare.gov account. ..."
Title: Donald Trump unveils new tax break for family caregivers at Madison Square Garden rally
Article Snip: "...Former President Donald Trump revealed a new tax break policy aimed at family caregivers at the start of his address to a packed Madison Square Garden Sunday night.
“I’m announcing a new policy today that I will support a tax credit for family caregivers who take care of a parent or a loved one..."
Title: I’m a Retiree: 5 Reasons I Believe Voting for Trump Is What’s Best for Social Security
Article Snip: "...According to Drew, Trump comes across as the more credible candidate because she believes he follows through on his promises. “I personally trust Trump because he does what he says he will do; he will stop the taxation of Social Security..."
Reference: finance.yahoo.comTitle: Mapped: Retirement-Age Workers by U.S. State
Article Snip: "...More and more older adults in the U.S. are choosing to continue to work well into their retirement years.
br>
Overall growth in the 65 and older population, higher cost of living, and various social factors have led to a growing share of older adults in the American workforce.
This map shows the percentage of U.S. adults 65 and older who are still working by state using figures from a LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data...."
Article Snip: "...Many insurers are making significant changes in 2025. Deductibles and prescription drug costs will become more expensive for some Medicare recipients — and it could impact whether older Americans can afford healthcare. ..."
Reference: www.businessinsider.comTitle: Trump Says He Will Cut Energy Bills In ‘Half’ During Fox News Town Hall
Article Snip: "...“I’m making this pledge here,” Trump said. “But I have made it a couple of days before,” Trump teased. “Your energy bill, which is a very big bill, will be down 50 percent starting one year from Jan. 20.”...“We’re going to end all sanctuary cities in the United States, and we’re going to go back to normalcy,” Trump responded. “And we’re going to have law and order.”"
Reference: thefederalist.comNote: On this date (10/25/2024; 7:18 AM Central), Crude Oil WTI (NYM $/bbl) opened at $70.79
Article Snip: "...The price of the American Dream now stands at $4.4 million — a mind-boggling $1 million more than what it cost just a year ago and $1 million more than what most individuals earn in a lifetime, according to Investopedia. ..."
Reference: finance.yahoo.comTitle: Compare the costs of Medigap plans in your area
Article Snip: "...In Original Medicare, you generally pay some of the costs for approved services. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance you can buy from a private company to help pay your out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover...."
Reference: www.medicare.govTitle: Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?
Article Snip: "...Many doctors and healthcare physicians don't like Medicare Advantage plans due to coverage restrictions, limited networking, and overpayment rates, which cause increasing difficulties for patients. Since pre-authorization and referral requirements often impede patients' needs, doctors refuse to accept these plans. ..."
Reference: silveredgeadvisors.comTitle: What is Medicare Part B and why do I need it?
Article Snip: "...Part B helps cover medically necessary services like doctors' services, outpatient care, and other medical services that Part A doesn't cover. Part B also covers many preventive services. Part B coverage is your choice. However, you need to have Part B if you want to buy Part A. ..."
Reference: www.medicare.govSnippet of Article: "...Self Lock is the unique feature that lets you protect your identity in E-Verify and Self Check by placing a "lock" in E-Verify on your Social Security number (SSN). This helps prevent anyone else from using your SSN for an E-Verify case. If an employer enters your locked SSN in E-Verify to confirm employment authorization, it will result in an E-Verify Tentative Nonconfirmation (mismatch). With Self Lock, you are always in control...How to Use Self Lock
To access Self Lock, you must be logged in to your myE-Verify account.
To lock your SSN, you must select and answer three challenge questions. Select questions you can easily answer, because you will need to answer them again to verify your identity if you receive an E-Verify Tentative Nonconfirmation (mismatch) due to Self Lock.
If you are about to start a new job with an E-Verify employer, you should log into your account and unlock your SSN."
Title: The US is mailing Americans free COVID tests again. Here’s how to get them
Article Snip: "...reopened the program on Thursday, allowing any household to order up to four at-home COVID nasal swab kits through the website, covidtests.gov. The tests will begin shipping, via the United States Postal Service, as soon as next week. ..."
Reference: www.dailybreeze.comTitle: Social Security COLA 2025: Retirees Should Be Prepared for Bad News and More Bad News
Article Snip: "...The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release September's CPI-W information in early October, and the SSA is expected to announce the COLA based on that data later in the month. Until then, we won't know exactly what the adjustment will look like. However, some experts are already making predictions, based on inflation data so far this year. Analysts at advocacy group The Senior Citizens League, for example, estimated in mid-September that the 2025 COLA will be 2.5%...."
Reference: www.fool.comTitle: Trump promises to halt taxes on Social Security; cites 'inflation nightmare' for seniors
Article Snip: "..."To help seniors on fixed incomes who are suffering the ravages of Comrade Kamala Harris' inflation nightmare — I'm promising NO TAX on SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS!" he wrote on X. ..."
Reference: www.foxbusiness.comArticle Snip: "...U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Garret Graves (R-LA-06) today officially filed a discharge petition and are building support to force a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on their bipartisan legislation to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
Spanberger and Graves filed a discharge petition to force a vote on the U.S. House floor on their bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act. The legislation would eliminate both the WEP and the GPO, two provisions added to the Social Security Act in 1983 that unfairly reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for millions of Americans who have devoted much of their careers to public service — including federal employees..."
Title: Did you know FSAs can help pay for these items?
Article Snip: "The special spending accounts cover the costs of many products and services...A dependent care FSA can be used for child care, before- and after-school care and day care.
The IRS determines which expenses can be reimbursed by an FSA.
The FSAFEDS website has a complete list of products and services that are eligible for reimbursement under an FSA. ...
"
Title: 'Night Owls' More Likely to Develop Type 2 Diabetes
Article Snip: "...Folks who like to stay up late are nearly 50% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who go to bed earlier, a new study finds.
However, it’s not just because they have an unhealthy lifestyle, according to findings presented...
night owls might be able to improve their health by altering the timing of meals, van der Velde said."
Title: This metabolic brain boost revives memory in Alzheimer’s mice
Article Snip: "...The finding, published in the journal Science, suggests that it may eventually be possible to reverse some symptoms of Alzheimer’s in people, using drugs that boost brain metabolism. ..."
Reference: www.npr.orgTitle: Armed Gangs of Illegal Aliens Taking Over Aurora, CO Apartment Buildings - and Nothing Is Being Done
Article Snip: "...In Aurora, Colorado, armed criminal gangs are taking over apartment buildings. The gangs are charging rent on the apartments they have seized; they are selling drugs and, according to accounts from displaced residences, engaged in sex trafficking. And the local authorities seem unable, or unwilling, to do anything about it. ... Potential gang activity was caught on surveillance camera in a Colorado apartment building after what one former resident calls "no accountability" kept law enforcement from assisting."
Reference: redstate.comArticle Snip: "...analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, Bloomberg found the number of Americans in this category jumped between 2012 and 2022 by 5 percentage points to just shy of 40%. Moreover, Bloomberg reports that more than half of these owners have reached retirement age. So if you’re fortunate enough to be mortgage-free and headed towards retirement, chances are you have a lot going for you financially. For starters, the worth of your home, should you choose to sell it, represents 100% equity. ..."
Reference: moneywise.comArticle Snip: "...The recent massive data breach at National Public Data (NPD), a background check company, has potentially compromised the personal information of millions, if not billions, of individuals, including their Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, current and past addresses, the names of siblings and parents, and other information. The hacker responsible for the compromise claims the stolen files include 2.7 billion records. ..."
Reference: www.foley.comTitle: Social Security COLA Increase for 2025 Could Be the Lowest in Four Years
Article Snip: "...Don’t expect a substantial cost of living amount (COLA) increase in your Social Security checks in 2025. The latest estimates put the COLA at 2.6%, according to the non-profit Senior Citizens League, down from 2.7% in July and 3.2% last year. The drop reflects the easing of inflationary pressures. ... While a lower inflation rate should lead to a smaller increase in prices, it does nothing to lower current prices for groceries, utilities or housing that many are struggling to meet. Changes to the COLA are based on the CPI-W, which is a measure of price changes for a selection of goods and services ..."
Reference: www.kiplinger.comTitle: 7 Statin Alternatives You Can Take to Help Lower Your Cholesterol
Article Snip: "...Statins, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), are first-choice medications for treating high cholesterol. But they’re not the right medication for everybody.
Along with a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise, statin alternatives such as ezetimibe (Zetia) can be taken with or without statins to help you meet your cholesterol goals. Other options include fibrates like gemfibrozil (Lopid), ATP citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitors like bempedoic acid (Nexletol), and more.
Natural and over-the-counter medications, like fish oil supplements, may also help ...
"
Title: Statin side effects: Weigh the benefits and risks - Mayo
Article Snip: "...While statins are highly effective and safe for most people, they have been linked to muscle pain, digestive problems and mental fuzziness in some people. Rarely, they may cause liver damage. If you think you're experiencing side effects from taking statins, don't just stop taking the pills. ...Statins are effective at lowering cholesterol and protecting against a heart attack and stroke, although they may lead to side effects for some people. ... If you think you're experiencing side effects from taking statins, don't just stop taking the pills. Talk to your health care team to see if a change in how much medicine you take or even a different type of medicine might be helpful."
Reference: www.mayoclinic.orgTitle: Wegovy works. But here's what happens if you can't afford to keep taking the drug
Article Snip: "...insurance coverage is very spotty. Medicare does not cover Wegovy or other weight loss drugs, and many insurers follow Medicare's lead. Increasingly, there's pressure to change this. As STAT reported last week, the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida is lobbying for legislation that would allow Medicare to pay for obesity drugs, citing the link between obesity and cancer risk. The NAACP is also registered to lobby on this issue. ..."
Reference: www.npr.orgArticle Snip: "...Pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has turned to influential Black Americans in pursuit of what would be a lucrative victory: having Medicare cover a new class of weight loss drugs, including the company's highly sought Wegovy, which can cost patients more than $1,000 a month. During a conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation last fall — a jampacked gathering featuring prominent Black lawmakers and President Joe Biden — Novo Nordisk sponsored a..."
Reference: www.npr.orgTitle: Ozempic and Stomach Paralysis - WebMD
Article Snip: "...While the slowing down of the digestive system is necessary for Ozempic and these other drugs to work, if it slows down too much, you can get a serious problem: stomach paralysis. What Is Stomach Paralysis? When food enters a healthy stomach that’s working as it should, the stomach...Here’s what to look out for:"
Reference: www.webmd.com/Title: Social Security | Why It’s Important to Tell Us About Changes When You Get Social Security Benefits
Article Snip: "...If you receive Social Security, you can help to make sure we pay you the right benefit each month. You can do that by telling us about relationship or other life changes that could affect your eligibility for retirement, survivors, or disability benefits – or your benefit amount. You and your family may miss out..."
Reference: ssa.govTitle: Seven Lessons for New Retirees
Article Snip: "...The former editor of Kiplinger Personal Finance shares key financial takeaways from his first year of retirement. ..."
Reference: www.kiplinger.comTitle: This Alabama city might be 'South's best-kept secret destination'
Article Snip: "... One Alabama city is getting some love from Forbes.com for being possibly “The South’s Best-Kept Secret Destination,” and it’s a lot farther from the beach than you might guess.
The new article at Forbes.com depicts Huntsville as a “charming Southern city [that] doesn’t usually top travel lists” but says “that’s part of what makes it so fascinating.” ...
"
Title: Trump Blames Biden, Harris for Market Losses
Article Snip: "...The Dow appeared it could be headed for its first 1,000 point decline since September 2022.
Soon after the bell sounded on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 1,064 points, or 2.7%, following a 611-point loss Friday, CNBC reported.
S&P 500 futures were down 3.6% after the benchmark lost 1.8% on Friday. Nasdaq-100 futures lost 4.8% as big tech stocks got hit hard in early trading.
"STOCK MARKETS CRASHING. I TOLD YOU SO!!! KAMALA DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE. BIDEN IS SOUND ASLEEP. ALL CAUSED BY INEPT U.S. LEADERSHIP!" Trump posted Sunday night. ...
"
Title: New homes are getting smaller. That could be big news for first-time buyers
Article Snip: "...For most of the last half-century, new single-family homes kept growing. In 1973, the median size of completed single-family homes was 1,525 square feet, according to US Census data. By 2015, that number had ballooned to 2,467 square feet. ..."
Reference: www.cnn.comTitle: Retirees' Social Security checks have lost significant buying power since 2010, a new report says
Article Snip: "...Retirees would need, on average, a $370 monthly boost in their Social Security checks to make up for a 20% loss of buying power since 2010.
That means today’s average monthly benefit of $1,860 for retired workers would need to rise to about $2,230, according to a new report from the Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan group.
The spoiler: inflation.
...common senior household expenses such as car insurance, food, out-patient hospital care, and housing rose much more than that.
“The reality is that COLAs have become less and less likely to match inflation over time,” Benton said. “In the 1990s and 2000s, 60% of COLAs beat inflation. In the 2010s, only 40% did. Through the 2020s so far, only one COLA out of five—the 8.7% increase in 2023— has done so.”"
Title: Donald Trump calls for elimination of tax on Social Security
Article Snip: "...Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for scrapping the tax that seniors must pay on their Social Security checks.
“SENIORS SHOULD NOT PAY TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY!” the 45th president straightforwardly wrote on Truth Social. ...
Generally speaking, there is a tax of up to 50% tax on one’s Social Security benefits if total income is between 25,000 and $34,000 – and up to an 85% tax on benefits when income is over $34,000, according to the Social Security Administration.
Trump, 78, made waves in his own party earlier this year with his vow to eliminate taxation on tips.
The Republican Party’s platform, which was approved earlier this month and personally written in part by Trump, rules out cuts to Social Security and Medicare, including any potential lifting of the retirement age. ..."
Title: An Update on the Social Security Fairness Act
Article Snip: "..pass the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82, S. 597). This bill would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which are parts of Social Security law that unfairly reduce, or sometimes eliminate, Social Security benefits for millions of federal annuitants. The GPO and WEP penalize CSRS retirees that meet the requirements for Social Security benefits and have paid their fair share into the program. To address this inequity, 324 members of the House and 61 members of the Senate from both parties now support this legislation. ...."
Reference: apwu.orgTitle: Here's the Net Worth of the Average Retiree (How Do You Compare?) Article Snip: " ...When calculating your net worth, re...