Dear Magic, The phone rings a lot at my mother’s house (she has quite the social life for a 90-year old woman!) One call she received the other day sounded official to her, she explained to me, but she couldn’t get to the phone … [Read more...]
Print This PageCan I Have a Do-Over When it Comes to Social Security?
April 12, 2019 by
Q. I claimed Social Security benefits at 62, and I’m realizing that it’s too early. I am concerned that since I made the decision, I’m going to have to live with it. Will I be stuck with a reduced benefit for life, or can I change … [Read more...]
Print This PageDo You Need to Pay Taxes if You Are Only Collecting Social Security?
February 22, 2019 by
Q. My husband and I plan to retire when we turn 70 and hope to live the “American dream.” We have saved our whole life to be able to enjoy our summers up north and our winters in Florida. After decades of having Social Security … [Read more...]
Print This PageCritter Corner: How Does the Tax Act Change Things for Seniors?
February 22, 2019 by
Dear Magic, I am working on my 2018 taxes now. I understand that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is in effect for this year's taxes. How does this tax reform affect U.S. citizens ages 65 and older? Any financial credits still available … [Read more...]
Print This PageTake Advantage of This Popular Social Security Claiming Strategy Before It Ends This Year
February 5, 2019 by
Fred is 68 and collecting Social Security. His wife Lisa will be 66 in the spring and plans to retire. To maximize her Social Security, Lisa is considering filing for spousal benefits at 66 and then delaying the filing for her … [Read more...]
Print This PageCritter Corner: Can You Get Social Security Benefits if You Never Worked?
January 25, 2019 by
Dear Ernie and Jannette, I am a recent divorcee who is getting ready to drop my last kid off at college next year, which, in essence, means that I am retired. The thing is, as a lifelong homemaker who raised five children, I never … [Read more...]
Print This PageYikes! Our Top 10 Scariest Articles of 2018
October 30, 2018 by
Believe it or not, in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Special Needs Planning, there are some news stories that sound more like the scary plots of horror movies than real life. The topics can be so horrifying that suddenly, you … [Read more...]
Print This Page2019 Key Elder Law Dollar Amounts
October 23, 2018 by
Every year we release 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 … [Read more...]
Print This PageWhat Older Voters are Focusing on in the Midterm Elections
October 19, 2018 by
Q. I've been voting since I was able to do so, which is more decades ago than I'd like to mention. After all, voting is a responsibility! I know that seniors like me care about a broad range of issues, not just those commonly … [Read more...]
Print This PageIf You Collect Social Security, You’re Getting a “Raise!”
October 12, 2018 by
Q1. My husband and I rely on Social Security for about half of our monthly income. I heard that the cost-of-living adjustment announcement by the SSA is happening this week. Do you happen to know how the COLA is determined and how … [Read more...]
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