Category: Active adult communities
November 19, 2025 -- The most interesting retirement concept of the last 65 years has been, hands down, the success of active adult communities. Sometimes called permanent summer camps for adults, offshoots of the concept pioneered by Sun City in 1960 offer every kind of amenity from golf to swimming pools to pickleball. Plus clubs and non-stop activities of every kind. But have you considered a hybrid idea - living in one that offers a 55+ neighborhood(s) within it? To many folks, that seems to be the best of both worlds.
First we will explore the pluses and minuses of this hybrid retirement living choice. Then we will provide a sampling of what is available, along with some actual home listings on the market now.
Pluses and Minuses of 55+ Neighborhoods Within Master Planned
Like everything else, there are advantages and disadvantages of choosing one of the many communities that offer a 55+ neighborhood within them. Let's assume that you are interested in an active community of some kind - why should you choose this model?
more...
Published on November 18, 2025
Comments 0
Category: Medicare
November 18, 2025 - Medicare Part B Premium and Deductibles for 2026 have been announced, and the news is not good for beneficiaries. The standard Part B monthly premium will increase just under 10%, from $185 in 2025 to $202.90 in 2026. Unfortunately, the average 2026 Social Security COLA was only $56 (2.8%). That means the Medicare premium increase of $17.90 will consume about a third of the average recipient's SS COLA .
The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will increase $26 to $283 in 2026, up from the annual deductible of $257 in 2025.
The dramatic increase in premiums represents a continuing trend, as Medicare struggles to stay solvent. There are many reasons for the increase, but some of the most prevalent are the escalating payments to Medicare Advantage insurance companies and prescription drug costs. In 2020 the monthly premium was $144.60. Last minute changes to reimbursements from expensive skin replacement therapies, which many believe have been abused by doctors and insurance companies, helped keep the Part B increase below 10%.
more...
Published on November 17, 2025
Comments 0
Category: International Retirement
November 18, 2025 — it didn't take too long to notice that the folks are sturdy here in beautiful Portrush, Northern Ireland. The temperature on the beach was 52 F. (12 C.), about the same as the outdoor temperature, cloudy with a fair breeze. Fifteen to twenty women in bathing suits were up to their knees, splashing in the cold and rolling surf. Occasionally one would plunge into the surf, laughing and shrieking, then make a few strokes before emerging to applause. Asking a local about it, we found that the women were part of a club (and not the only one!) that takes this breathtaking dip every day of the year.
Such a Beautiful Coast
Town beach in Portrush
more...
Published on November 17, 2025
Comments 0
Category: Retirement Planning
November 16 – Larry Gavrich, a frequent contributor in this space, recently published anarticle, “Heh NY Times – It’s Not Nice to Scare Old People!” that we think you will find interesting. His article is in response to the many Comments generated by ourBlog post “…
more...
Published on November 16, 2025
Comments 0
Category: Financial and taxes in retirement
November 11, 2025 -- The hottest political button right now seems to be affordability. Everything costs so much since Covid, and no COLA from Social Security is going to make up for it. A long time ago we wrote an article, "How to Be a Cheapskate and Retire in Style". It generated an amazing number of great tips and suggestions from our Members. Today's situation seems like an ideal time to replay them. Here is a sampling from the many great ideas the article generated. (Note: This seems like a good followup to our recent article "MId-Life Guide to Surviving Retirement", which generated even more suggestions.)
Live Like a Cheapskate and Retire in Style
1. A number of generic drugs are free at places such as Walmart, Publix, or Meijer. You will still need a prescription from your doc, though. If you are a veteran, you can probably qualify for greatly discounted drugs.
2. If you're 62 or over, purchase a $80 Lifetime Senior Pass that gets you into more than 2,000 federal recreations sites, including National Parks, This is a perk a lot of people don't know about. The pass covers the car passengers, too. (http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm)
3. Do what my kids have done re phones - dump the landline and only use your cell phone. Before you cancel, be sure its cost isn't bundled in a discounted package with TV or Internet service.
Jan Cullinane, Author of AARP's The Single Woman's Guide to Retirement
--
more...
Published on November 10, 2025
Comments 8
Category: Social Security
November 9, 2025 — The SSA recently announced the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Starting in late November, you can view your updated benefit amount online — up to three weeks before paper notices arrive in the mail. To receive your personalized COLA details early, you must opt in to receive secure…
more...
Published on November 9, 2025
Comments 1
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
November 5, 2025 -- Some days it seems like we can't remember anything. But we don't have to see our memory and learning ability decline. Recent research from a McGill University-led clinical trial shows that online brain training exercises can improve brain networks affecting learning and memory. The study found 10 weeks’ use of the game-like app BrainHQ by older adults enhanced cholinergic function, a chemical system in the brain that typically declines with age and influences attention, memory and decision-making.
10 Years Younger!
“The training restored cholinergic health to levels typically seen in someone 10 years younger,” said senior author Dr. Etienne de Villers-Sidani, an Associate Professor in McGill’s Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery.
more...
Published on November 3, 2025
Comments 2
Category: Retirement Planning
November 3, 2025 -- Retire and find your paradise - maybe. One study found that 40% of retirees who move in retirement don't end up staying. Another one from Hirehelper.com reported that 28% of folks who moved in the past year regret it. In this article we will explore some of the reasons why so many people experience relocation troubles in their retirement.
Multiple Reasons for Multiple Retirement Moves
A recent NY Times article, "Retirement Moves Don't Always Bring Greener Pastures," profiled the sagas that tripped up some typical retirees. Many of them thought that they had carefully researched their new lives, only to discover problems.
more...
Published on November 2, 2025
Comments 14
Category: Social Security
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026.
The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million SSI recipients will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.)
The 2026 COLA will add about $56 to the average monthly benefit for a retired worker, from $2,015 to $2,071, according to SSA estimates. The average monthly survivor benefit would inch up by about $52. The COLA is meant to make up for changes in inflation. In the current uncertain economic situation, with tariffs and other factors like insurance and the cost of electricity, some experts feel the increase will not be enough to help recipients maintain their current standard of living.
Read more about the Social Security Cost-of-Living adjustment for 2026.
Cost of Living Notices Go Out in Nov.
more...
Published on October 24, 2025
Comments 0
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
Oct. 21, 2025 -- Choosing where to retire often comes down to quality of life and housing affordability and stability. Of course there are other factors like medical care that should go into choosing where to retire, but housing is usually one of the top considerations. So, if you are thinking about retiring in one of the popular retirement states of Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, or Pennsylvania, which has the best retirement real estate market?
Below is a data-driven comparison of the real-estate market a typical retiree would care about. We have provided statewide price levels (Zillow Home Value Index / ZHVI) for 4 states that tend to attract the most retirees. Within each we chose three representative retirement metro markets. At the end we close with which state looks like it has the best “deals” today, and which looks most stable.
By comparison, the most recent U.S. Zillow Home Value Index was $363,963.
more...
Published on October 20, 2025
Comments 0
