Bob's Journal
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Bob’s Journal for 12/10/20
How Social Security’s ‘Hold Harmless’ Rule Protects Beneficiaries A number of joint Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries are learning the importance of Social Security’s “hold harmless” rule. The rule protects Social Security beneficiaries from having their net benefits reduced by an increase in their Medicare Part B premiums. It applies only to Social Security beneficiaries […]
Bob’s Journal for 12/3/20
****************************************************************** Publisher’s Note: Are you looking for a great holiday gift? We were going through some areas of our office and found a box of beautiful Rose Pendants that were widely popular a few years ago. These are 24K gold and pure silver — a hard combination to find in any jewelry store. Click here now […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/25/20
Happy Thanksgiving in This Unique, Eventful Year of 2020 Happy Thanksgiving in this unique, eventful year. I’m preparing this week’s Bob’s Journal early so you receive it before the holiday. I’m dispensing with the regular format to let you know that my wife, Elaine, and I thank you for the opportunity to help you establish […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/19/20
Some Notable Events That Grabbed My Attention This Week Earlier today, I taped an interesting and well-attended teleconference with my readers. These teleconferences are a bonus feature of your Retirement Watch membership. One highlight of the teleconferences is that participants submit questions for me to answer. A number of good questions were submitted, more than […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/12/20
Medicare Premiums Will Increase in 2021 Along with Other Costs Medicare premiums will increase in 2021 along with other costs, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced. The monthly premium for Part B, which covers most doctor’s services and similar non-hospital care, will rise to $148.50. The Part B premium is $144.60 […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/5/20
What Are the Basics About Retirement Planning? What are the basics of retirement planning, and do you know them? Most older Americans describe themselves as at least “moderately knowledgeable” about retirement income planning, according to a study recently released by the American College of Financial Services. Yet, when the same people were asked about basic […]
Bob’s Journal for 10/29/20
We received the first official estimate of the state of the Social Security trust fund, and it is not good news. The trustees of Social Security issue an annual report of the financial condition of Social Security and Medicare. The latest report, issued in April and based on data as of the end of 2019, […]
Bob’s Journal for 10/22/20
This Pandemic Recession has Been Different Than any Other This pandemic recession has been different than any other, and it shows in some anomalies in the data. The combination of monetary and fiscal stimulus has been unprecedented, especially in the United States. That has caused an unusual response among households. Income declined dramatically in the […]
