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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Published on November 2, 2025
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