Q: Can you tell me how Social Security benefits are figured? I’m 63 and my wife is 61. Both of us are still working. A: Social Security benefits are based on your lifetime earnings, age at retirement, and number ...
Category: Issues
Will The Next COLA Finally Raise Your Social Security Benefit?
It’s a situation that many retirees haven’t seen since 2012. A noticeable boost to net Social Security benefits is expected for 2019. While the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) won’t be announced until October 1 ...
What’s At Stake for Social Security Benefits In the Upcoming Election?
Mary Johnson, editor Voters are worried about the impact that midterm elections could have on Social Security benefits. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimates that recent tax reform will add $1.8 trillion to ...
Benefit Bulletin: September 2018
Waiting Periods Can Bankrupt Disabled Beneficiaries More than 920,000 Americans await hearings that will determine their eligibility for Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI). The process is a long one ...
$1,800 Co-pay Sends Diabetic Searching For Better Options
Leslie R.’s biggest problem isn’t the fact that she’s 70, or that she’s trying to live on just Social Security and a small pension. Leslie is a type II insulin dependent diabetic, left with no savings after a battle wit ...
Social Security Benefits Lose 34% of Buying Power Since 2000, 2019 COLA Could Top 3.3%
Social Security benefits have lost 34 percent of buying power since 2000, according to the 2018 Social Security Loss of Buying Power Study recently released by The Senior Citizens League. This is the biggest loss of buy ...
Can Medicare Save Money By Providing Better Dental Care?
By Mary Johnson, editor If you have an inflammatory disease like a chronic pulmonary condition, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), or even sleep apnea, I have one piece of advice: Go ...
Benefit Bulletin: August 2018
Drug Prices: How Other Government Programs Negotiate Why are drug prices so high here in the United States? A recent article by Sarah Kliff of Vox.com uses the following example of Humira, an injectable medication us ...
Ask the Advisor: August 2018
Q: My mom was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. What benefits does Medicare cover for this condition? A: Unlike most of the top 10 causes of death, such as heart disease and cancer, which are covered ...
Q & A: I’m 71 And Don’t Have Medicare Part B
Q: I retired from my job at 64, but later went to work part-time for another company providing home care services. I did not sign up for Medicare Part B at 65, because I was still getting healthcare benefits from my fo ...