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 Comments from our Members. Today's situation seems like an ideal time to replay them. Here is a sampling from the many great suggestions 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
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Published on November 10, 2025
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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…
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Published on November 9, 2025
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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.
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Published on November 3, 2025
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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.
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Published on November 2, 2025
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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.
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Published on October 24, 2025
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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.
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Published on October 20, 2025
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Category: Checklists
October 17, 2025 - Are you in your 40s and 50s and feeling stressed about retirement? Join the club - millions of others are feeling the same way.
Many people in their 40s or 50s wake up to the realization that retirement isn’t as far away as it once seemed. With rising living costs, uncertain markets, and increasing responsibilities like kids or aging parents, it’s no wonder so many people feel retirement anxiety.
The good news? You are young enough that you have plenty of time to retire confidently - if you take action right now. Here are some of the steps you can take to reduce that anxiety.
Why So Many 40-50 Somethings Feel Retirement Anxiety
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Published on October 16, 2025
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Category: Medicare
Oct. 13, 2025 - f you’re on Medicare (or will be soon), 2026 brings a number of changes you’ll want to watch — especially as you head into the annual Open Enrollment season that starts Oct. 15. Below is a quick rundown of the highlights and what you should keep in mind. Premiums and deductibles are generally going up next year. But the good news is that negotiated drug prices on 10 very expensive drugs go into effect in 2026.
Key Changes in 2026
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Published on October 13, 2025
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Category: Financial and taxes in retirement
October 12, 2025 -- You probably know some well-off people who live well below their means .- we sure do. At the extreme end these folks won't buy anything if it's not on sale. They opt for the cheapest entree at a restaurant. And forget about business class tickets, even if it means sitting upright in the middle seat on a 16 hour flight to Australia. Although they have the retirement savings and other assets to buy anything they want without fear, have their home paid for, no debts, and children with successful careers, they just can't stop acting like they have to live on a miser's budget.
Running out of money is the biggest worry people usually have in retirement. Someone might have worked hard, but didn't earn or save enough, or ran into family or financial trouble. The anxiety that someday they will have to survive just on their Social Security is real for them. But there are a surprising number of folks who are blessed to be in the opposite situation - despite their substantial assets they live well under their means. There are many reasons why they deny themselves the pleasure that their hard earned savings could bring. This article will explore some ideas on how to get over those fears and inertia.
Ideas to Help Get Over the Hump
Most baby boomers grew up with parents who lived through the depression of the 1930's. That legacy often installed frugality as a key virtue. Don't spend what you don't have, shut off those lights, only buy what's on sale, etc. For many, even those who have the money, it can be very hard to part with that deep rooted training.
For those fortunate enough to have sufficient resources to not have to worry about running out of money, here are some ideas to get over their fear of spending enough hump. After all, what is the point of scrimping just to admire the size of a bank account.
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Published on October 11, 2025
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Category: Bucket Lists
October 7, 2025 — Although about 10% of Americans actually have some Irish heritage, it seems like almost all of us claim it – particularly when St. Patrick’s day comes around. So what better place to visit in retirement than the beautiful island called Ireland. This will cover some of…
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Published on October 6, 2025
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