With the Medicare Open Enrollment period about to start, beneficiaries are thinking more carefully about their plans, benefits and premiums. Unfortunately, based on projections, millions of seniors have a shock coming: Medicare Part B premiums are slated for an unprecedented increase. A few months ago, many news outlets including Kaiser Health News (read the article…
“Is a reverse mortgage right for me?” That’s the question more and more senior homeowners are asking. As reverse mortgages gain new popularity, we hear that question all the time at our Life Planning Seminars. But as frustrating as it may seem, the answer to the question is, “It depends.” There’s simply no “one size…
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, a critical time period starts October 15 and lasts just over 7 weeks. And no matter what coverage you presently have, now is the time to begin examining your options and preparing for possible changes. On October 15th each year, Medicare Open Enrollment begins. For the following 7-plus weeks, until…
Here in the U.S., our population is aging – but the number of geriatric care specialists is declining. And that spells a brewing health care crisis among seniors, according to a recently published article in the New York Times. You can access the article here. We have repeatedly emphasized how important it is for seniors…
As seniors plan for retirement, one of their chief questions is, “Where will I live?” We deal with this question every day with our clients. For many healthy seniors, the perfect solution can be one of the growing number of “senior living communities.” These communal facilities allow seniors to avoid more traditional institutional care by…
When we talk with our clients about healthy aging, the biggest single thing most of them worry about is cognitive decline. There is probably no other health condition that so completely robs retirees of their dream to live independently. Cognitive decline is often the chief factor that results in seniors being forced into institutional care…
When you think about your retirement years, you certainly want to stay as healthy as you can, for as long as you can. No one wants to be a burden to his or her loved ones! At the same time, every senior we know would do as much as possible to help their family members…
Most active seniors would prefer to stay in their own homes as they age. It’s called “aging in place,” and it’s a great idea – but it requires planning, and probably some remodeling, to make sure your home is both safe and livable both now and in your future years. For many seniors, the alternative…
If you’re like most Americans, you’re not saving enough for retirement – and once you stop working your lifestyle is going to face some big, often unanticipated adjustments! A study from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College reveals that fewer than half of U.S. households will be able to maintain their pre-retirement lifestyle…
What do you call it when your Social Security earnings remain stagnant – with no cost-of-living increase – but your premiums for some Medicare expenses rise more than 50 percent? A recent article on the NBC News website calls it a Double Whammy – and that, the article states, is what seniors are facing in…
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