Category: Uncategorized
December 8, 2025 -- In my 19 years of writing these Topretirements Blogs there have been so many great questions and comments from our Members. So I have had plenty of time to think about the best ways to plan for retirement, and the worst ways. Tackling the negative side, here are my two worst retirement mistakes. In the grand scheme of things, they are not so bad, compared to many worse ones I could have made.
Not contributing enough to Roths.
At the time it seemed like a no brainer - contribute to my IRA or 401(k) plan so that I always got the maximum match, or put in the most I could afford if there wasn't a match. Put in $10,000, get a $10,000 deduction on our income tax. But, as I am finding out in my late 70's, that bird comes home to roost in the form of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
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Published on December 8, 2025
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Category: Social Security
Dec. 5, 2024 - The mail arrived this week and there were our Social Security benefit statements, right when promised. With a modest COLA for 2026 in the offing, we expected to see a small increase in our 2026 benefit.
Not everyone's situation will be the same
The cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 is 2.8%. That's about $56 on the average monthly Social Security benefit of just over $2,000. People who have higher earning records would see more dollars from that COLA - someone with a $4000 monthly benefit would get a $112 bump.
The standard Part B Medicare premium goes from $185 in 2025 to $202.90 in 2026. That is a $17.90 increase (9.6%). So someone with the average monthly benefit nets $38.10/month more in 2026 than in 2025, which reduces the net COLA to a 1.9% increase. Sadly, about half the rate of inflation in the U.S.
The problem for some taxpayers (a happy one in the big picture) is that their Modified Adjusted Gross Income might go over the married filing jointly threshold of $218,000. That triggers bigger IRMAA supplements for Parts B and D., or $202.90 in additional Medicare premiums. If someone goes from being under the MAGI threshold one year to over the next, that will more than wipe out any net gain from the SS COLA. Their net 2026 SS benefit will be less than in 2025. People with even higher MAGI will pay even more extra.
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Published on December 4, 2025
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Category: Financial and taxes in retirement
November 30, 2025 -- The federal tax bill that comes into effect for 2025 has some very nice tax breaks coming your way. Along with the even bigger tax cuts for the ultra rich, they might send the country into insolvency, but at least you get to enjoy a lower tax bill this April 15.
The AARP has an excellent summary article of the 2025 tax changes embedded in the OBBB. We will just briefly summarize them by category. Check out the AARP article for a fuller discussion.
Standard Deduction. Now set at $30,000, up from $29,500. People over 65 get an additional $1500.
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Published on November 29, 2025
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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?
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Published on November 18, 2025
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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%.
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Published on November 17, 2025
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Category: International Retirement
November 18, 2025 — it didn't take too long for us to notice that the folks are sturdy here in beautiful Portrush, Northern Ireland. The temperature of the water was 52 F. (12 C.), about the same as the outdoor temperature, and cloudy with a fair breeze. Fifteen or so women in bathing suits were up to their knees, splashing in the cold and rolling surf. Occasionally one would plunge into a wave, 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
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Published on November 17, 2025
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Category: Retirement Planning
November 16 – Larry Gavrich, a frequent contributor in this space, recently published a contrasting point of view on a NY Times article about Greener Pastures. We think you will find “Heh NY Times – It’s Not Nice to Scare Old People!” interesting. It fits fight…
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Published on November 16, 2025
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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
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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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