On a scale of 1 to 10, what’s your number that represents how confident you are in your retirement income plan? Every week I get calls from people from across the country who have read one or more of my books, or visit with folks in my office who’ve come to one of my retirement classes at a local college or joined me for an all-day workshop. And they all have one thing in common. They all want their number … Continue reading

Every year during open enrollment (that runs between Oct 15 – Dec 7th this year) Medicare recipients can choose to change their current plan to another plan, add Part C (all-inclusive Medicare Advantage plan) or D (prescription drug plan). Last year I wrote about the importance of comparing your Medicare supplement plans each and every year (in order to try and save money or get benefits that are more aligned with any changes in your health).  You can read my previous … Continue reading

The Social Security Administration has just announced a 2% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) beginning in January 2018 for those receiving SS checks. This is the largest increase since 2012 (only 0.3% for 2017 and none for 2016). The “average” SS check amount will rise about $27 per month and of course larger checks will be increased even more. However, what remains to be seen is how big the Medicare Part B premium increase will be for 2018. Any premium increase will partially or … Continue reading

For fourteen consecutive years, Genworth Insurance Company has surveyed the cost of long term care across the United States. Conducted by CareScout®, the study is one of the most comprehensive surveys of its kind, covering 440 regions and over 15,000 completed surveys. CLICK BELOW to get to the survey. Use the drop down menu on the left to choose your state and then select the city (next drop down box). You may know that I started my financial services career as an LTC … Continue reading

At this time of year, there are millions of students attending college across the country. Some still live at home while many are living on or off a far-away campus. But just because they are your kids (or Grandchildren) doesn’t mean you (the parents) have any legal rights after they turn age 18. Now I’m not a lawyer (nor do I play one on TV), but estate planning attorney Jane Wolk said in a recent article in Investment News magazine, that once a child is 18, he “is legally a … Continue reading