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

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

Title: 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

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

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

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

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

FERS Annuity Supplement

Title: How Much is the Maximum Annuity Supplement?

Article Snip: "...The procedure for calculating the supplement is clearly spelled out in Chapter 51 of the CSRS & FERS Handbook. However, the explanation and instructions are 40+ pages in length. Summarized, you must..."

Reference: www.fedsmith.com
FERS Annuity Supplement,

CSRS vs FERS: some better off than others

Title: You May Be Better Off Than You Think

Article Snip: "...Under FERS, 40 years of service (I know, no one has this much service under FERS yet), would provide either 40 percent or 44 percent (if you’re 62 or older with more than 20 years of service) of your high-three. In addition, you’ll be entitled to Social Security or the FERS Supplement...."

Reference: www.govexec.com
FERS Special Retirement Supplement, Social Security, CSRS vs FERS,

Chuck Hagel Proposes Military Retirees Pay More

Hagel wants you to pay more

Title: DoD proposes deepest compensation cuts in all-volunteer era

Article Snip: "...Changes are also coming to Tricare. “We will ask retirees and some active-duty family members to pay a little more in their deductibles and co-pays,” Hagel said...."
Reference: militaryvetnews.blogspot.com
military retirees, Tricare,

Save us from Social Security cut! Send a quick message please

Title: No Chained CPI

Article Snip: "...We cannot break our promise to our seniors. These are benefits they earned over a lifetime. Our parents and grandparents put their faith in us, and we will not let them down. Please use this link to send a message to the president...."
Reference: ourfuture.org
Chained CPI

Military retirees slammed in bipartisan budget, thank you for your service

Title: Military Retirement Cuts: Prelude To Coming Social Security Changes

Article Snip: "...bipartisan budget that scales back cost of living adjustments for working age military retirees starting in 2015. Several sources including Military.com suggests that qualified participants could lose between..."

Reference: www.forbes.com

Kaiser recognized for FEHB federal employee health plans

Title: Kaiser recognized for federal employee health plans

Article Snip: "...Kaiser Permanente Hawaii’s health care plan for federal employees has been recognized as “Exemplary,” the highest possible rating, by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, administrator of the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program...."

Reference: westhawaiitoday.com
Kaiser Permanente

Corporate lobbies using deficit fear-mongering to sell Social Security benefit cuts

Title: CEOs with Massive Retirement Fortunes Push Social Security Cuts

Article Snip: "...largely behind the scenes: Business Roundtable and Fix the Debt, corporate lobbies that use deficit fear-mongering to sell benefit cuts. These groups are made up of CEOs of America’s largest corporations—people with retirement accounts that are more than 1,000 times as large as those of the average Social Security beneficiary...."

Reference: www.thenation.com
attacks on Social Security

American voters put politicians on notice: Don’t cut Social Security and Medicare benefits

Title: Labor puts Dems on notice: Don’t touch Medicare and Social Security benefits

Article Snip: "...“We are opposed to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits cuts. Period,” Silvers told me. “There will be no cover for members of either party who vote for such a thing.”..."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
attacks on Social Security, Altering Social Security, social security,

2014 Social Security COLA

Title: Seniors to get small Social Security increase in 2014

2014 Social Security COLA

Article Snip: "...the fourth year in the last five that recipients receive little or no increase in benefits. Social Security benefits are expected to rise between ..."
Reference: cnn.com
2014 Social Security COLA

Medicare and FEHB: What are my choices?

Title: Medicare Choices

Article Snip: "...Little is more confusing for employees and retirees than the decisions that must be made when you become eligible for Medicare. Let's look at two scenarios to see how Medicare and Federal Employees Health Benefits Program can fit into one picture. ..."

Reference: www.govexec.com

Retirement options when faced with a RIF

Title: Retirement-eligible? Know your RIF options

Article Snip: "...options available to employees who are eligible to retire when facing a RIF..."

Reference: federaltimes.com
Retirement options when faced with a RIF

Social Security Q & A

Title: The High Cost to Your Family of Filing for Social Security at 62, Even If You Need the Money

Article Snip: "...Even if you really need the money, consider picking up another job or downsizing before starting your Social Security benefits early...."

Reference: www.pbs.org

FEHBP, Medicare and Postal Workers would be harmed by Issa / Postmaster General healthcare plan

Title: GAO: USPS Healthcare Plan Would Hurt Medicare, Postal Workers

Article Snip: "...“The FEHBP, which includes many non-profit plans, is one of the best health insurance programs in the country,” Guffey added. “Removing postal employees would jeopardize the FEHBP, and would result in less coverage and higher healthcare costs for postal workers. ..."

Reference: www.apwu.org
Postal Service Healthcare plan,

Postal Service wants to pull retirees out of Federal Employees Health Benefits program - loss of a large worker benefit

Title: USPS Plan to Pull Out of Fed Health Benefits Could Cost Postal Workers

Article Snip: "...“The differences in deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums under the USPS plan -- on their own, or in combination with lower coverage levels for some services -- could lead to higher total costs for some postal employees and non-Medicare-eligible retirees, including those who would have lower premiums under the USPS plan,” GAO wrote in its report...."

Reference: www.govexec.com
Postal Service, Medicare, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), FEHB and Retirees,

2014 Federal Retiree COLA

Title: COLA? Maybe. Pay raise? Maybe not!

Article Snip: "...With a couple of months left in the countdown, federal-military-Social Security retirees are looking at a potential cost-of-living adjustment of ..."

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com
2014 Federal Retiree COLA

2014 COLA update

Title: The Senior Citizens League Warns 2014 Cost of Living Adjustment Flat

Article Snip: "... consumer price index (CPI) data through June, cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will stay pretty flat. Based on inflation growth over the past twelve months, the 2014 COLA will be in the vicinity of..."

Reference: www.watchlistnews.com
2014 COLA,

U.S. government could soon be facing a shortage of workers

Title: Wave of federal retirees to hit government

Article Snip: "...In the first four months of 2013, some 60,000 employees filed for federal retirement benefits, a 43% increase..."

Reference: cnn.com

Great Social Security Questions and Answers

Title: Will Social Security Benefits Increase This Year? By How Much?

Article Snip: "...run through the particular problems of all 78 million Baby Boomers..."

Reference: www.pbs.org

Younger workers staying in safer G Fund

Title: TSP examining why so many young workers stay in 'super safe' G Fund

Article Snip: "...While automatic enrollment for new hires has increased participation in the Thrift Savings Plan over the last few years, a recent report suggests many of them are staying in the super-safe G Fund — instead of reallocating money into other funds. ..."

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com

How to Avoid Taxes on Your Social Security

Title: How to Avoid Taxes on Your Social Security

Article Snip: "...Wouldn't it be nice to avoid paying tax on your Social Security benefits while in retirement? By planning ahead, you can avoid paying tax on your Social Security income and your effective tax rate will be very low...."

Reference: socialsecuritynewsgroup.blogspot.com

What is my retirement date?

Title: Retirement date calculation

Article Snip: "...What is my retirement date?..."

Reference: blogs.federaltimes.com
military buyback, military service, service computation date

federal retirement claims backlog spiked 37 percent

Title: Retirement Claims Backlog Spikes

Article Snip: "...The federal retirement claims backlog spiked 37 percent during the last month, due to an expected influx of new applications, according to the latest figures from the Office of Personnel Management...."

Reference: www.govexec.com

Planning an affordable retirement

Title: Planning for the lean and mean retirement

Article Snip: "...Americans have some significant challenges to overcome if we want to be able to afford and enjoy our retirement years. As a result..."

Reference: www.cbsnews.com

Social Security Annual Cost of Living Increase

Title: Just Explain It: Maximizing Your Social Security Retirement Benefits

Article Snip: "...According to the Social Security Administration, the average single beneficiary will get $21 more each month – $34 for couples. It’s not much to begin with, and some of that extra cash could end up going to things like higher Medicare premiums or just groceries...."

Reference: finance.yahoo.com

Taking Social Security Too Early Can Cause Poverty in Old Age

Title: One Recession Cost Is Lower Social Security Benefits

Article Snip: "...Catherine Rampell of The New York Times reported on the economic difficulties of those in their 50s and early 60s suffering from high unemployment and decimation of their retirement savings by the recession. Many will be forced to take Social Security benefits as soon as they turn age 62. Unfortunately, they may be risking unnecessary poverty in old age as a consequence...."

Reference: nytimes.com

First year rule: special retirement supplement

Title: First year rule

Article Snip: "...if you exceed the special retirement supplement earnings limit for the year you retire, you will not be eligible for the special retirement supplement for the rest of that year..."

Reference: federaltimes.com
First year rule, special retirement supplement,

How to calculate your Special retirement supplement

Title: Special retirement supplement calculation

Article Snip: "...how will you calculate the special retirement supplement?..."

Reference: federaltimes.com
Special retirement supplement calculation

What can retired federal employees expect in year ahead

Title: The Year Ahead: What Federal Employees and Retirees Can Expect

Article Snip: "...good news for 2013 (retirees received a COLA and current employee's future retirement benefits have remained largely unaffected) ..."

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com

Social Security has, again placed on the chopping block

Title: Social Security: What Is At Stake? Why Now?

Article Snip: "...For the second time in little over a year, the Obama Administration has made a preemptive offer to change the formula for adjusting Social Security's Cost of Living Adjustment formula (COLAs) as part of a "Grand Bargain...."

Reference: www.huffingtonpost.com

Social Security and Medicare cuts being pushed

Title: Social Security and Medicare trim would squeeze retirees

Article Snip: "...Republican leaders have made clear that their price for swallowing higher tax rates for wealthy Americans is an agreement by President Barack Obama and fellow Democrats to scale back the growth of Medicare and Social Security, which serve more than 3.5 million recipients in Florida...."

Reference: sun-sentinel.com

Some standing strong against attacks on Social Security/Medicare

Title: Pelosi Takes Hardest Line Against Raising Medicare Eligibility Age

Article Snip: "...“As I have said, don’t even think about raising Medicare age,” Pelosi said. “We are not throwing America’s seniors over the cliff to give a tax cuts to the wealthiest people in America.”..."

Reference: talkingpointsmemo.com

Sequestration and Retirement Buyouts

Title: Federal worker Q&A guide to the fiscal cliff: Ten answers on jobs, cuts and more

Article Snip: "...Early retirement offers allow employees to retire at any age with 25 years of service, or with at least 20 years of service at age 50 or above. That’s earlier than under standard federal retirement eligibility combinations. In some circumstances, retirement benefits are reduced, which discourages employees from taking such offers...."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com

Federal Employment Retirement Wave Expected in January

Title: OPM anticipates wave of federal retirement claims in January

Article Snip: "...an anticipated wave of applications — 21,000 — in January, typically a popular time for federal employees to retire...."

Reference: www.bizjournals.com