Aug 14 Social Security at 80: Is it time for an overhaul? By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press Social Security turns 80 on Friday, and the massive retirement and disability program is showing its age. Continue reading
Jul 06 How a chance encounter with ‘Hef’ led an aspiring journalist to become Miss October 1964 By Kathleen McCleery The last person you expect to meet at a Mexican nursing home is a Playboy centerfold. Continue reading
May 22 Asking for help at 80 — America’s new faces of hunger By Ariel Min The warm sands and tony neighborhoods in Naples, Florida, give it the name “Paradise Coast.” But for seniors struggling to keep food on the table, it’s far from a paradise. Continue reading
May 18 A cautionary tale about taking retroactive Social Security benefits By Laurence Kotlikoff The more I talk to people, the more I understand how easy it is to make major mistakes in taking Social Security benefits if you don't know exactly what you're doing or, equally important, don't know exactly what Social Security… Continue reading
May 13 Don’t make this Medicare mistake: COBRA is not like employer health insurance By Philip Moeller COBRA can provide continuation of health insurance for 18 months up to 36 months and can be a literal lifesaver for people who lose their jobs and health coverage. What it does not do, however, is take the place of… Continue reading
May 11 Playing God with Social Security fairness By Laurence Kotlikoff Our fiscal system, in general, and Social Security, in particular, is an incredibly complex maze of entangled provisions, most of which were put into place in piecemeal fashion over the years. Saying that provision X is unfair because it benefits… Continue reading
May 01 7 ideas to help you build a great retirement By Jonathan D. Pond Everything you do in your financial life throughout your working years is geared toward one goal: Being able to retire comfortably. Here are 7 ideas that could help you achieve that goal. Continue reading
Apr 08 Loony Medicare rules can turn a hospital visit into a costly adventure By Philip Moeller Whether your visit to a hospital is considered a formal admission or an observational stay is hugely important, because Medicare pays a whole lot less for observational stays. This is true even if the actual care a person receives in… Continue reading
Apr 06 6 ways women over 50 can achieve financial fitness before retirement By Nora Daly Keeping physically fit is always important, but as we age, it becomes even more imperative to maintaining quality of life. The same is true for financial fitness. Continue reading
Apr 06 Why you should shop Social Security offices for the best deal By Laurence Kotlikoff How could different Social Security offices be dishing out different benefits? The rules are the rules, but staff within the offices have different interpretations, only one of which is right. Continue reading