Seniors

BPT More than 155 million U.S. workers are insured for a disability through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. They receive this important insurance coverage through their payroll taxes, or FICA taxes, as a part of the Social Security program. Fortunately, many workers experience a lengthy working career without any medical issues. But for…

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BPT The heat will certainly be on this winter. With winter storms hitting many parts of the country early in the winter season, furnaces are plugging away, causing heating bills across the country to increase. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical U.S. family spends at least $2,200 per year on energy bills…

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Dear Savvy Senior, I am interested in making a video of my 82-year-old parents’ life story/legacy and how they want to be remembered. With the holidays approaching, I thought this could be a neat gift to my older siblings, but I could use some help. What can you tell me? Youngest of Five Dear Youngest,…

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Dear Savvy Senior, Does the VA provide any special burial benefits to old veterans? My dad, who has late-stage Parkinson’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. Only Child Dear Only, Most U.S. veterans are eligible for burial and memorial benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration. Veterans who…

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Dear Savvy Senior, I know there will be a small 2.8 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits next year but what about Medicare? What will our Medicare Part B monthly premiums and other Medicare costs be in 2019? Curious Jim Dear Jim, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments…

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NEWSUSA It’s that time of year when people with Medicare review their health insurance choices and enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan for the coming year. People typically have a lot of questions as they research their Medicare options, which primarily include Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, before finding…

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BPT The answer you get to this question will depend on who you ask. The amount households have accumulated for retirement is not hotly debated, but the amount needed in retirement is. The Investment Company Institute (ICI) is working to make sure that everyone has the facts through its new website ,FactsOnRetirement.org. Much of the…

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FAMILY FEATURES If you have ever thought about exploring your family history, now can be the perfect time as October is National Family History Month. To get started, these four simple tips can help you unlock new understanding and make meaningful connections. You can also consider sharing these tips with loved ones so they can…

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BPT Aging is one of life’s inevitabilities. We don’t have a choice in the matter; it happens to everyone. But how we age is a choice people make every day. While it’s true that there is no fountain of youth, the choices we make in diet, exercise, and lifestyle can and do affect the quality…

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Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know of any resources that help family caregivers monetarily? I have to miss a lot of work to take care of my elderly mother and it’s financially stressing me. Stretched Thin Dear Stretched, Caring for an elderly parent can be challenging in many ways, but it can be especially difficult…

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