Q. Every year your firm provides the key dollar amounts that are frequently used in elder law, including Medicaid figures, long-term care insurance deductibility limits, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income. Are these figures available for 2016 yet and, if so, can you tell me what some of the changes are for […]
Seniors Should Be Thankful For This. . .
This week, we celebrate Thanksgiving, making it an ideal time to give thanks and reflect on the positive things that have happened over the past year. Below are twelve of our blog articles from 2015 that make us and many of our clients thankful (chronologically listed from newest to oldest): Amazing new technology helps seniors […]
Balanced Budget Act: Good or Bad for Seniors?
Image source: Wall Street Journal On November 2, 2015, the Balanced Budget Act of 2015 (BBA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama. According to the President’s statement on the day of the signing, “Democrats and Republicans came together to set up a responsible, long-term budget process, and what we now see is a […]
Be Very Afraid: Our Top Ten Scariest Articles
With Halloween upon us, now is the time when we present you with this year’s scariest & creepiest stories. From posthumous messages from loved ones to Alzheimer’s being contagious, we uncovered some scary ground. To celebrate Halloween, we’ve ranked our scariest articles for you to revisit (if you dare). As always, thank you for reading […]
Preparing Yourself for Medicare Open Enrollment
Every day, an average of 10,000 Americans will become eligible for Medicare as they turn 65 — and face a complex new set of health care decisions. If you’re among them, you may feel perplexed about what you need to do about Medicare and when. And, if you do, you are not alone. In fact, […]
What She Doesn’t Know About Social Security Could Cost Her Thousands
Q. My mother, Eileen, and her husband, Ray, just recently got divorced after 15 years of marriage. My step-father was the primary breadwinner throughout their marriage, while my mother was a homemaker, who worked a little here and there. Now that she’s turned 62, my mother wants to begin collecting Social Security as her sole […]
When it Comes to Social Security, what does “File and Suspend” Mean?
Dear Baxter, My neighbor mentioned something about a “file and suspend” strategy for Social Security to boost retirement income? Can you explain what that means? Thanks! Clay Min Stratagees — Dear Clay, For married couples, a Social Security claiming strategy known as “file and suspend” may help to boost their retirement income. How it works: A person […]
Virginia Becomes First State to Approve ABLE Act
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe Signs ABLE Act into Law (Source: NBC 29) Q. Our son, Jeff, has autism spectrum disorder and will likely need assistance throughout his lifetime. We are looking for ways to save for his future without jeopardizing his eligibility for Social Security and other government programs. I read about the ABLE act, and how […]
Strong or Vulnerable? Social Security in its 80th Year
For 80 years, Social Security has been protecting American families from both expected and unexpected challenges. Last week, the Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report to Congress, which projects that Social Security’s condition isn’t as troubling as many think. The 2015 report presents an honest, open discussion about the value of Social […]
A New Act to Help Special Needs Families
Q. My 9-year-old daughter, Noelle, is intellectually disabled. The costs for her therapy and assistive technology are quite high, and we are in the process of applying for government assistance (SSI). Despite our struggles to make ends meet, her grandparents and my husband and I would like to save as much as we can […]
Ask the Expert: Can You Explain Social Security, please?
Q. I am 62 and getting ready to retire. I am really confused about how Social Security works. Can I start collecting now, or do I need to wait until I am 65? Also, what is all this about credits? I thought Social Security was determined based on the number of hours worked in a […]
LGBTQ Marriage Ruling Brings New Planning Choices
LGBTQ married couples can now celebrate another important victory in their fight for equal rights. Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled to let the appeals court rulings allowing same-sex marriage in five states stand, clearing the way for same-sex marriages in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. Now, same-sex couples can marry in 24 states, along […]
Helping Seniors and Veterans from Going Hungry
After working for decades and raising four children without government assistance, Carol found herself asking for help feeding herself and her husband, Richard. Faced with health problems that prevent them from working, Carol and Richard struggle to get by on their monthly Social Security check. And like millions of seniors today, by the time they […]