By Kirk Larson, Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist: Throughout the month of February, we celebrate Black History Month. Created in 1926, this event coincides with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and Frederick Douglass on February 14. African American communities have celebrated these birthdays together since the late 19th century. Honoring…
If you’re a caregiver for an ailing loved one, you know how exhausting and draining your responsibilities can be. In fact, sometimes you may feel like you’re the only one who knows. That’s because no one can imagine how hard it is to be a caregiver unless they’ve been there and done that. We found…
It’s a question we hear from our clients frequently. As they approach retirement, some seniors have always assumed that their Social Security benefits will be tax-free – but will they be? The answer depends on several factors, but odds are – if you’re approaching the time when you begin drawing benefits – you will end…
A recent article on the website www.everydayhealth.com caught our eye – and should be required reading for anyone concerned about appropriate levels of health care for the seniors they love. Written by national health expert Dr. Sanjay Gupta, this article asks a very important question: “Are Seniors Getting Enough Medical Care or Too Much?” Click…
Here’s a question: if you’ve made it clear in your will which one of your heirs should inherit money from your estate, how it is possible those funds will end up going to someone else? The answer is simple: if you’ve forgotten to update the beneficiary information on a life insurance policy, retirement plan, or…
We found a recent article on the website www.grandparents.com that addresses a very challenging issue many of our clients are facing: how to help aging parents downsize their home and lifestyle. From both an emotional and practical standpoint this could be one of the most difficult things an adult child will ever do. That’s because…
As we advise our clients, one key to maintaining your independence – and to avoid becoming a burden to your loved ones as you age – is to decide wisely when it comes to your housing options. Deciding where and how you’ll live in retirement is one of the most important choices you will make.…
One of the oldest quarterbacks in the NFL, New England Patriot Tom Brady (age 38), is still one of the best in the game. What’s his secret? Well, he probably has more than one, but lately a lot of attention has been paid to Brady’s unusually strict diet – an anti-inflammatory diet that some writers…
According to a very recent survey, tens of millions of Americans – including both the uninsured and those with insurance – face severe financial hardship each year due to medical bills. This survey, conducted by the New York Times and the Kaiser Family Foundation, was summarized in an eye-opening article we found on the blog…
It happens all too often, even in families with little history of bickering: arguments can erupt between adult siblings over the care of an aging Mom or Dad. Sometimes these fights become years-long feuds, even ending up in court. When that happens, everyone loses, and family bonds can be stretched past the breaking point. We…
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