One of the questions we receive frequently here at AgingOptions, in our seminars or on the radio, involves choosing a financial adviser. We’re often asked something like this: “One financial planner is asking me to pay a fee, while another is compensated based on commissions. Which one is better?” This recent article from the website…
Staying in your home as you age, or “aging in place,” is all the rage among retirees and future retirees, and for good reason. We’ve studied this issue for years, and read many articles about aging in place, which is something nine out of ten seniors say they prefer to do. For most seniors we…
When considering the causes that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, which is more to blame – genetics or lifestyle? A new Canadian study from McMaster University seems to indicate that both can play a major role, and this study sounds a loud warning for seniors who have settled into a sedentary…
It’s winter in the Pacific Northwest, the time of year when even the most passionate fans of the region start thinking wistfully of a sunny get-away. But if winter makes you long to buy that vacation cabin or beach home you’ve been dreaming about, it may be time for a wake-up call, because owning a…
According to an article published by the Associated Press just a few weeks ago, more and more Americans are deciding to retire someplace outside the U.S. The AP reports that the number of overseas American retirees, now approaching 400,000, grew 17 percent between 2010 and 2015, and the trajectory is heading upward as the baby…
As if the discussion about when an aging adult needs to stop driving weren’t difficult enough, along comes a new Canadian research study showing the added dangers of driving with even mild cognitive impairment. Everyone knows that seniors with signs of significant memory loss should never get behind the wheel. Now it appears even those…
A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reveals a startling statistic: the number of older Americans burdened by student loans they assumed on behalf of their children and grandchildren has increased four-fold over the past ten years. Student loan debt owed by people 60 and older now amounts to nearly $67 billion –…
Last May we wrote about the death of rock superstar Prince. At the time we pointed out that whenever a celebrity dies, there’s always a ripple effect. The death of Casey Kasem prompted increased interest in issues of health care directives, guardianship and end of life planning. The death of Michael Jackson shed new light…
By Kirk Larson Social Security Western Washington Public Affairs Specialist Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 0.3 percent in 2017. The 0.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 60 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2017. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI…
Here at AgingOptions we are firm believers in the power of communication when it comes to planning for retirement. Sadly, it has been our observation that too many couples avoid the topic entirely, or else they talk about it in broad, general “wish list” terms, never really getting serious about some of the critical details.…
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