Category: Medicare
Sept. 25, 2024 -- The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period starts Oct. 15. This is when people on Medicare can review and change their plans without penalty.
When’s the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
Every year, Medicare’s open enrollment period is October 15 - December 7.
What’s the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.
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Published on September 25, 2024
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Category: Travel
Sept. 24, 2024 — This is our second poll on that ever-popular retirement activity – cruises. Last week we asked you to vote on your favorite cruise line (ocean or river), this week’s is on your favorite cruise destination (where you’ve been or most want to visit). We will report…
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Published on September 24, 2024
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Category: Retirement Planning
Sept 23, 2024 — About a third of people aged 50 or more live alone, according to the AARP. That is a lot of people who can’t rely on a spouse or roommate as they age. So what is their plan going forward? The best advice is to start thinking…
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Published on September 22, 2024
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
September 18, 2024 — “What is the worst state for retirement?” This is one of those questions with a frustrating answer – it all depends. Despite what some list you see on the Internet might say, the reality is that while there are many states that would be “worst” for…
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Published on September 18, 2024
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Category: Travel
Vote Now! September 16, 2024 — Going on a cruise is one of the most popular experiences for retirees of all ages. But there are so many cruise lines, and they go to so many places, river cruises and ocean cruises – which one is the best for you? To…
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Published on September 15, 2024
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Category: Bucket Lists
A Bucket list trip to Iceland
September 10, 2024– Iceland is both a cold country, and one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world. It is the perfect place for a retirement trip. This giant island country in the North Atlantic attracts tourists from all over the world to experience its many natural wonders. There are many ways for retirees to experience its charms, which we will explore in this article.
About Iceland
This island country, a member of the European Union, is being formed by the separation of the American and European tectonic plates. As they have come apart over the millennia, magma and lava have come out of the earth’s core to form the land. They are still separating at the rate of about 2 centimeters per year - in many places you can stand with one foot in Europe and the other in America.
That land building has created the many sights that people come to experience. There are giant extinct volcanoes to climb, deep blue lakes formed by glaciers and and volcanic activity, immense and intricate lava fields, and gigantic waterfalls. Not to mention a long and beautiful coastline.
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Published on September 9, 2024
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Category: Financial and taxes in retirement
Sept. 1, 2024 --You could write a best seller on the ingenious ways criminals use to steal money from people, especially those over 60. These crooks capitalize on a sense of trust to drain senior retirement accounts with ploys like asking for help on stamping out corruption, or rescuing a relative or friend in trouble.
Folks 60 and over are often targeted by cybercriminals because they are such a rich source of funds. Among all age groups in 2023, people over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion from scams, according to the F.B.I.
Per the New York Times, retired attorney Barry Heitin lost almost all of his retirement savings, $740,000, to an incredibly complicated scheme. Criminals persuaded him that he was helping out with an important government investigation, so he spent months and many hours draining his accounts, where the money vanished into the black hole of the Internet. What's more, he owed the IRS taxes on his "withdrawals".
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Published on August 31, 2024
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Category: Medicare
August 28, 2024 -- People enrolled in Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage are getting some really good news, and some not so bad news. The biggest changes will go into effect in 2025. They were made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2023, which passed without any Republican votes.
Here is the good news for Medicare recipients:
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Published on August 27, 2024
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
August 27, 2024 -- Florida is definitely one of the most popular states for retirement - and for people of all ages. It was the second fastest growing state in 2023, and had the highest rate of net immigration (more people moving in than out) in the nation in 2022. The influx of retirees is one of the biggest reasons for this growth. Yet the Sunshine State is a lot more than just Disney World and beautiful beaches. This article will explore some of the essential things you need to know before you pull up stakes and move there. Some of these items might be positive for you, others not so much.
13 Things to know about retiring in FloridaIt’s hot and humid in The summertime. Living in Florida year round means hunkering down in the air conditioning for most of the summer. Powerful hurricanes and storms hit the State frequently, sometimes with mandatory evacuations.
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Published on August 26, 2024
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Category: Social Security
"See Presidential Positions (below)".
August 15, 2024 -- Thanks to everyone who voted in last week's poll on the best way to fix Social Security. The good news is that you seem willing to make some sacrifices to make it happen, not just throw the burden onto someone else. Even if very few people in government are willing to suggest possible solutions (promising to save it without the way to do it is not a solution), you are! Here is a link to take the poll and see the many interesting Comments it provoked.
Poll Results
The #1 thing that the 170+ people who took our poll want is to expand the earned income that is taxable for Social Security. In 2024 that limit is $168,600. Over 51% of you voted to increase that so taxes are paid on all earnings over $400,000. That option would mean people earning from $168,600 to $400,000 would not pay more FICA taxes, but people over that would pay it on everything they earn. Although presumably not too many members of the Topretirements voters would be affected, the vote does reflect a common opinion, one that would provide a substantial amount (but not all) of the funds needed to avoid benefit cuts expected in 2035. See Reader Responses,
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Published on August 14, 2024
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