Retirement Watch Weekly
Understanding Medicare's Star Ratings
Medicare now rates many providers with from one to five starts, with five being the highest rating. It rates Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Drug plans, nursing homes, and more. The ratings mean more to you than indications of the quality of care. Five-star Medicare Advantage and Part D plans have expanded enrollment periods. […]
Why Americans Move? The Retirement Impact
Most people don’t move in retirement. About 80% or more stay close to where they lived in the decades before retirement. But there are many people, retired and otherwise, who move each year. Reports by two moving companies reveal why many people move: warmer temperatures and more affordable homes. The top states people are leaving […]
Social Security Underpays Beneficiaries
About 450,000 beneficiaries were underpaid $500 million since 2008 by Social Security, according to an Inspector General audit. More than 85% of those beneficiaries were identified in a 2008 audit, but the SSA didn’t take corrective action. These were not errors discovered by beneficiaries but are errors uncovered by SSA’s internal system. But the systems […]
January 2015
January 30, 2015 04:25 p.m. Your Retirement Finance Week in Review Next week I’m going to be at the World MoneyShow in Orlando, Fla. So, I might not send a weekly review, or it might come at a different time than usual. If you can’t make it to the MoneyShow, you still can catch one […]
Facts and Myths About Social Security
Almost everyone has a Social Security number and is eligible for Social Security benefits. Yet, survey after survey indicates people know little about the program and their benefits. Also, much of what people think they know is wrong. Let’s took a look at some key misunderstandings and oversights about the program. Understand benefit statements. The […]
Hype About “Secret Estate Planning Accounts” Exposed – Cash Value Life Insurance
Let’s begin the year by revealing the facts behind some rather questionable marketing pitches for Estate Planning. Have you heard of the Secret 770 Account? The President’s Account? What about Banking on Your-self® or Infinite Banking? Becoming Your Own Banker, The Personal Bank, or The Retirement Miracle? If you read financial publications, especially online, you […]
Filling the Biggest Hole in Your Retirement Health Care
The biggest gap in your retirement medical insurance probably is one you hardly think about and that gets little attention. Among the many needs not covered by Medicare is dental care. You also won’t find dental coverage in Medigap (Medicare supplement) policies. Unless problems with your teeth and mouth are related to an accident or […]
Winning IRA Strategies for 2015
Too many people leave money on the table when managing their IRAs. There are a lot of decisions to make, and the wrong choices can result in higher taxes or even penalties. That’s a shame, since IRAs are among the most valuable assets most people own. Resolve this year to review the IRA strategies discussed […]
