It’s a strategy used by thousands of married Social Security recipients over the years as a means of maximizing spousal benefits. But new budget rules just signed into law mark the end of this often-employed tactic. The strategy is called “File and Suspend.” Under the new budget rules signed into law on November 2, 2015…
With a new generation of retirees poised to make long-term living decisions, marketers say it’s time for a new name to describe retirement communities. So say good-bye to the time-honored term, “Continuing Care Retirement Community.” That’s what the familiar acronym “CCRC” stands for, and it’s a term that has described a wide range of retirement…
If you’re like most of us, your house is the most important asset you own. Deciding whether, and when, to enter into a reverse mortgage to tap into the equity in your home is one of the most important and possibly the most difficult decisions you’ll have to make. If you’re a homeowner 62 years…
A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation sheds some light on the importance of Medicare – a timely consideration during an election year as many politicians float their proposals for cuts in benefits. The research shows that most Medicare beneficiaries are people of very modest means, and their reliance on Medicare is a vital…
If you’re one of the 40% of American adults over 65 who take statins to control cholesterol, a new study reveals an unexpected health concern: statin use appears to reduce the effectiveness of the flu vaccine. That could put millions of seniors at greater risk from the effects of this common but sometimes deadly illness…
The idea supposedly started with a Methodist minister in Virginia. After visiting a parishioner distraught over being forced into a nursing home, he decided America could do a better job helping seniors find alternative housing solutions. He consulted with a research center at Virginia Tech, and voila: the MEDCottage, also called the Granny Pod, was…
We’ve said it many times, in our printed materials and on the radio: few conflicts can become more contentious than family conflicts. Tragically, this is especially true when it comes to issues relating to elder care. We think that’s because, in conflicts over how to care for Mom or Dad (and how to divide the…
A new study has shown a dramatic new benefit from what is commonly called the “Mediterranean Diet” – it can actually improve the health of your brain. For years the advantages of the Mediterranean Diet have been touted as a way to improve physical health. This eating pattern, emphasizing high concentration of seafood and plant-based…
For most American retirees, Social Security benefits form a vital part of their income – in fact, for many these benefits provide most if not all of the funds retirees live on. That’s why older Americans need to make careful decisions about when to take their benefits – and which benefits to take – so…
The death of “America’s DJ” Casey Kasem in 2014 may seem like old news. But the issues raised by the tawdry controversy surrounding Kasem’s passing from side effects of debilitating dementia still reverberate. As we tell our clients frequently, and explain to our radio listeners, the death of Casey Kasem carries lessons for all of…
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