Funny thing about human nature; we will believe many things with no proof or substantiated evidence. After all, it’s just a matter of time before Big Foot strolls through someone’s house, extends his hand..or paw…and introduces himself, right? It’s just part of the human design: we are capable of believing most anything. Unfortunately, it’s the rumors about important issues that can cause problems. This week, we take a look at a few of the big untruths about Social Security. Granted, the … [Read more...] about Fearing the Unknown: Social Security Myths
Medicaid Supplemental Programs
Medical costs are on the rise across the country, despite efforts built into the new healthcare laws. For the elderly, it can be challenging to find the right Medicaid supplemental programs that can help keep them healthy and safe. Every dollar spent on home care, assisted living and nursing home care comes from one of the following four sources: Government programs, such as Medicaid, Veterans’ Benefits and Social SecurityInsurance coverage, including Life, Long Term Care, Medicare and other … [Read more...] about Medicaid Supplemental Programs
Financial and Estate Planning Essentials
One of the reasons planning for life after retirement is because no one knows what the future holds, when the next stock market crash will happen or how tax laws will affect our estates in the future. Are there ways to protect assets from creditors? Can you truly reduce estate taxes? Keep reading as we explore a few financial and estate planning essentials. Financial and Estate Planning Essentials There are many ways to better protect what you’ve worked to acquire over the course of your … [Read more...] about Financial and Estate Planning Essentials
The Changing Needs of Aging Parents
We know how crucial planning is, regardless of where we are in our lives. If we’re in our twenties, we’re encouraged to not waste time when it comes to retirement planning. When we’re in our thirties and forties, we’re working to ensure our planning efforts are successful in a way that allows our children to attend college. In our fifties, we’re looking ahead to retirement and working to pay off our mortgages and other debt. The same goes for caring for our aging parents. Planning means the … [Read more...] about The Changing Needs of Aging Parents
Changes to Nursing Home Ratings Review System
For more than a year, there have been requests made to the Government Accountability Office to provide insight into how it determines nursing home worthiness across the nation. Now, it has agreed to review the rating system used to rate nursing homes, according to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md and Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore. In August, 2014, a letter authored by Cummings was sent to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services … [Read more...] about Changes to Nursing Home Ratings Review System
Resolution in Massive Medicare Fraud
It’s been three years in the making and while there remain many unanswered questions, one defendant accused of playing a massive role in a $116 million fraudulent Medicare billing scheme has been sentenced. For a 65 year old man, it’s likely a death sentence. You may recall Riverside General Hospital found itself at the center of this Medicare fraud scheme. The Texas hospital was accused of illegal billing practices and more than 12 people were arrested as part of that scheme. One of those … [Read more...] about Resolution in Massive Medicare Fraud
Celebrity’s Daughter Pushes for Protection to Visit Ailing Parents
We know him as Colombo, but one woman knows Peter Falk as “Dad”. She’s on a mission to change the way visitation for ailing and elderly parents unfolds. Across the nation, we’ve seen a startling rise in adult children being denied access to their ailing parents. Now, though, several states are taking notice and moving forward with legislation that would open up visitation rights to children. It’s controversial in many step-families, but Catherine Falk aims to change it in order to level the … [Read more...] about Celebrity’s Daughter Pushes for Protection to Visit Ailing Parents
Are There Real Benefits in a Durable Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney serves many purposes and there are many different types of these important legal documents. One of the most confusing powers of attorney is the durable power of attorney. This week, we explore these estate planning documents, their benefits and any downsides so that you can make a better choice for you and your family. As you probably know, each state defines its own laws on most matters, including estate planning. There are a lot of moving parts but it’s important … [Read more...] about Are There Real Benefits in a Durable Power of Attorney?
Your Social Security and COLA
Many who receive Social Security are hearing COLAs are becoming more unlikely for 2016. Cost of living adjustments, or COLAs, are adjustments made to Social Security and supplemental security income in order to ensure the income is in line with other economic influences, such as inflation. They were put into place in 1975 so that those who receive benefits were able to keep up with inflation. Not only that, but for higher income seniors, they could see their benefits decline as the premiums … [Read more...] about Your Social Security and COLA
What is SKI?
It’s not necessarily an acronym for a new program, but for many families, they’re adopting it, nonetheless. SKI simply means “spending the kids’ inheritance” – and skiing is a growing trend in the U.S. Many celebrities and tycoons are enjoying this new found freedom – for the sake of their kids, of course. They say it makes their children stronger and more appreciative of money and everything that comes with wealth. Michael Bloomberg is one of those tycoons who’s happily skiing. He’s publicly … [Read more...] about What is SKI?
