Tuesday, September 16, 2014

How to Make Early Retirement a Reality

Title: How to Make Early Retirement a Reality

Article Snip: "...Despite the total cost of a couple’s healthcare in their last 20 years being $215,000, the average savings of a 50-year-old is less than $44,000 – which equates to a total of $88,000 for retirement between a couple. This is far less than enough to cover half of the medical bills they will receive between age 65 and 85, and does not begin to account for housing, food, or any of the other necessities of a comfortable life..."

Reference: www.fedsmith.com

Monday, September 1, 2014

A Must Read: Planning For Long-Term Care For Dummies


Title: Planning For Long-Term Care For Dummies

Planning for Long-Term Care For Dummies
Long-Term Care Planning (Amazon)
Article Snip: "...As we live longer and healthier lives, planning for the long term has never been more important. Planning gives you more control, but it’s not easy to find accurate information and answers to your questions. That’s where AARP’s Planning For Long-Term Care For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) comes in. This comprehensive guide gives you questions to ask yourself and others about how best to achieve your goals, whether you have immediate needs or can take some time to sort out the possibilities. The book Covers home modifications so that you can stay at home safely for as long as you like Lays out the opportunities and costs associated with independent living, assisted living, and other options Gives you a range of driving and transportation alternatives Sorts out the various sources of care at home Helps you navigate the healthcare system Reviews the legal documents you should prepare and update Helps you determine whether you need long-term care insurance Offers checklists and other resources to help you make decisions Gives you guidance on how to talk to your family about sensitive issues If you're looking for trusted information on how to prepare for the future care needs for yourself or a relative, this sensitive, realistic, and authoritative guide will start you on the right road...."
Reference: Amazon

Monday, August 25, 2014

Is my Social Security check fair?

Title: Is my Social Security check fair?

Article Snip: "...A widow(er) who has contributed to the Social Security system for years could lose his or her benefits if spousal benefits are higher than his or her own retirement benefit. Is that fair, readers ask..."

Reference: www.pbs.org

Monday, August 18, 2014

Retirement saving is a low priority for the 36% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck

Title: Why one-third of Americans aren't saving for retirement

Article Snip: "...a significant swath of those on the cusp of retirement haven't put anything away, including 14 percent Americans 65 and older and over a quarter (26 percent) of Americans between ages 50 and 64. ..."

Reference: www.csmonitor.com

My Social Security Account: get online Social Security Statement, review lifetime earnings history, see estimates of your future benefits

Title: Sign up for a my Social Security Account

Article Snip: "...One of the best tools for planning a secure retirement is waiting for you at www.socialsecurity.gov: a my Social Security account. When you create your personal my Social Security online account, you will be able to get your online Social Security Statement, review your lifetime earnings history (and catch any errors while it is easier to fix them), see estimates of your future benefits, and more—important information that can help you plan and save for greater peace of mind. Opening a my Social Security account online is quick, safe, free, and easy. It takes only minutes. Go to the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov and click on my Social Security...."

Reference: blog.usa.gov

Monday, June 16, 2014

Federal retirees are currently due a January 2015 cost-of-living adjustment of about 1.35 percent


Title: Guess who's going up 1.35 percent?

2015 Retiree COLA Update
Article Snip: "...Each year when the retiree COLA exceeds the federal pay raise, many working stiffs figure they will retire at the end of the year to get the higher COLA. Doesn't work that way. The COLA is pro-rated (on a monthly basis) based on how long you've been retired. So you can't retire a month or two before the COLA kicks in and qualify for it. +..."
Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Best and worst states for military retirees

Title: 10 Best and Worst States for Military Retirees

Article Snip: "...when searching for the best place to retire from the Armed Forces, there are several economic, social, and health care factors for a veteran to take into account. WalletHub, a personal-finance network, this week released a survey ranking the states and the District of Columbia as places for military retirement..."
Reference: military-retirement.blogspot.com