Retirement Planning Question: Should I Explore Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts?
In late 2022, the federal government passed legislation known as the SECURE 2.0 Act. Provisions in this bill have made it easier for people to fund certain annuities that can delay taxes on their retirement funds until the age of 85. First, What Is an Annuity? If you...
Estate Planning Q&A: Do You Need a Trust?
According to the 2023 Wills and Estate Planning Survey by Caring.com, only 34 percent of Americans have an estate plan. The primary reasons respondents gave for not participating in estate planning are: Procrastination Believing they need more assets Not knowing how...
Which Should I Choose? Nursing Home Care vs. Hospice Care
End-of-life decisions are never easy. One of the most important decisions you may make regarding health care as you age could be whether you need a nursing home or hospice care. To make the best choice for you and your family, it helps to know the difference between...
Trusts and SSI
The contents of most trusts you create for yourself will be considered available to you in determining your eligibility for SSI. On the other hand, assets of most trusts that someone else creates and names you as a beneficiary of will not be considered to belong to...
Federal Government Seeks to Improve Long-Term Care Industry
The Biden Administration has directed federal agencies to improve access to high-quality, affordable long-term care for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans. Citing a 40 percent increase in the cost of long-term care over the past decade, the...
Can Your IRA Benefit Both Your Heirs and Charity?
Question: Do you want to use your IRA to help a charity and also benefit your heirs? If yes, then instead of leaving your IRA directly to your children, you can leave it to a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT) while still benefiting your children. Under the SECURE...
Seniors Face Loss of Buying Power
Inflation affects all consumers, but older Americans are facing an especially dramatic loss of buying power. A recent survey by the Senior Citizens League shows that Social Security benefits have seen a 36 percent loss in buying power since 2000. That number is...
Study: Hiring Family to Care for Children With Disabilities
Children with disabilities need a high level of care, which can be difficult considering the fact that over 2 million health care jobs are unfilled. A recent study in Colorado showed that hiring family members as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can be an effective...
Innovative Long-Term Care Housing Solutions for Seniors
The population of seniors over 65 is expected to increase exponentially over the next decade. A study by the Office of Policy Development and Research exposed the country’s unpreparedness for housing the aged population. America has three major housing issues for...
On Medicare? What You’ll Pay for Now That the COVID Public Health Emergency Has Ended
The Biden administration officially ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023. Certain policies that were implemented in early 2020 during the public health emergency will now expire. As a result, seniors are among those who may see some of the health...
An Epidemic: Substance Abuse a Growing Problem Among Seniors & Those With Mental Illness
The United States population of aging adults has grown exponentially over the past decade. According to projections published by the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 60 and older increased by 34 percent from 55.7 million to 74.6 million between 2009...
Will Robotics and AI Be the Future of Elder Care?
Adults 65 and older constitute the fasting-growing age demographic in the United States. When it comes to elder care, this expanding population is facing a scarcity in people equipped to support them as they get older. One estimate predicts a shortage of 151,000 paid...
Avoid Foreclosure With Repayment Plan for Reverse Mortgages
Using reverse mortgages, adults 62 and older may draw upon home equity to support their needs and remain in their homes. Many older adults with reverse mortgages have a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). The Federal Housing Administration insures HECMs, and the...
How the Debt Ceiling Bill Could Impact Medicaid Enrollees
For adults who rely on Medicaid, a bill recently passed by the House may mean holding a job would become necessary to continue accessing benefits. What Is Medicaid? Medicaid is a public benefits program providing health insurance for individuals with limited...
Is “Aging in Place” Right for Me?
Most older adults want to remain in their homes and communities as they age rather than move into assisted living facilities or nursing homes. For those who wish to maintain their independence and continue living at home as they grow older, taking certain steps to...