A reverse mortgage is a means by which seniors utilize the equity in their homes. The equity is turned into cash. It can be used to supplement social security, pension payments, and 401K plan withdrawals. In most situations, the proceeds of a reverse mortgage are taken out in a lump sum. Arrangements can be made to have periodic payments over … [Read more...]
Retirement Mistakes
Don't make mistakes regarding your retirement. Your senior years should be enjoyable, relaxed and stimulating. They should not be frustrating and worrisome times. Have Sufficient Assets and Cash Flow You should not retire unless you have enough savings, pension, funds or 401K funds to support your lifestyle. Social Security alone will not be … [Read more...]
Good Will Hunting
If you have assets, young children, and/or a house you should have a will. So you have a will. That's great! Have you updated your will within the last two decades? If your will is more than 10 years old, you should consider updating it. Changes In Your Life As you grow older, the reasons for writing a will may have changed. You initially may … [Read more...]
Is Social Security a Ponzi Scheme?
Republican politicians have recently referred to Social Security as a "Ponzi scheme". This is an absurd misrepresentation of a program that has helped keep many of America's senior citizens out of poverty. Rick Perry, the governor of Texas, in a recent debate, stated "it is a Ponzi scheme to tell our kids that are 25 or 30 years old today, you're … [Read more...]
Easing Into Retirement
When Is The Right Time to Retire? It’s hard to say when it's right time to retire; however, it is easy to say it is the wrong time to retire. You shouldn’t retire unless you have sufficient funds to carry you through your golden years. In the past, most people retired in their sixties. With declining savings and living costs going up, many … [Read more...]
Fewer Family Practice Doctors
Fewer doctors in the United States are going into family practice. Solo medical practitioners involved in family practices are becoming scarcer. The American Academy of Family Physicians, in 1986, represented forty-four percent of the practicing doctors. As of 2008, only eighteen percent of practicing physicians are in family practice and that … [Read more...]
Retirement: What if You Haven’t Saved any Money?
Retirement is supposed to be a time of relaxation and enjoyment for Americans. The current economic situation in the United States may require a re-thinking of retirement issues. A recent study has shown that one in four individuals approaching retirement have saved nothing for their retirement years! The Employee Benefit Research Institute … [Read more...]
Baby Boomers Will Have Trouble Retiring
Baby Boomers are going to have difficulty retiring. Recent studies indicate that baby boomers will work four years more than earlier generations due to the economic problems they have faced in recent years. The years following retirement are referred to as the "golden years". There may not be much gold left for the baby boomers! Baby boomers are … [Read more...]
The New Health Care Law – Affordable Care Act
The Republicans in Congress are challenging the health care law passed in 2010 by President Obama and the Democratic controlled Congress. Question: How does the health care law affect you? Americans between the ages of fifty and sixty-four will be significantly affected by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Unfortunately, due to the economic … [Read more...]
Medicare: How Do We Reform This Program?
Cutting Doctor Reimbursements Congress is considering a 23% reduction in the reimbursement to physicians who render medical treatment to Medicare patients. Will doctors accept this type of reduction? There is concern that the doctors will simply refuse to treat Medicare patients if they are not paid a reasonable fee. This will force … [Read more...]
