RetirementRevised

LGBT couples can’t bank Obama’s blessings yet

Mark Miller — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:06:36 +0000

When President Obama embraced same-sex marriage last week, he tried to frame it as an issue for the states to resolve. But federal laws and policies are very much front and center in the battle for a level financial playing field for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans – especially seniors. And the Obama [...] Related posts:

Five ways to change your retirement math

Mark Miller — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:51:08 +0000

We’ve all seen the studies – one seems to land on my desk once or twice a week. “Americans are living longer.” “Fewer have defined benefit pensions.” “The value of Social Security is shrinking.” “Boomers don’t have enough money to retire comfortably.” “A retirement crisis is looming.” Just a couple recent data points: –Working American [...] Related posts:

Why new online Social Security statement doesn’t cut it

Mark Miller — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:11:17 +0000

Imagine getting the following notice in the mail from your life insurance carrier: “Dear Customer: Due to the difficult business climate, we no longer will be mailing out a regular statement on your account as a cost-saving measure. We do expect you to continue paying your premiums, so please log on to our website to [...] Related posts:

Uncle Sam gives workplace Roths a big push

Mark Miller — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:51:57 +0000

Roth workplace accounts, which have grown more popular in recent years, are about to get a shot in the arm from Uncle Sam. This week the federal government started rolling out a Roth option to 3.3 million employees who participate in its main retirement program. Unlike tax-deferred retirement accounts, Roth contributions are made with after-tax [...] Related posts:

Should Ford retirees take a lump sum buyout?

Mark Miller — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:22:14 +0000

Ford Motor Company is making an offer it hopes 90,000 former employees can’t refuse: a lump sum buyout of their pensions. The auto giant plans to offer a voluntary buyout of defined benefit pensions to salaried retirees and former employees, with payouts to start later this year. Although Ford hasn’t revealed the exact terms of [...] Related posts:

Q&A: Eric Laursen on The People’s Pension

Mark Miller — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:33:22 +0000

Eric Laursen is an independent journalist who’s been covering political and financial news for more than a quarter-century. He’s been studying Social Security for the past 15 years, and just published a smart and exhaustive (800-page!) book called The People’s Pension: The War Against Social Security from Reagan to Obama (AK Press, Spring 2012). If [...] Related posts:

How seniors can get the primary care they need

Mark Miller — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:10:22 +0000

When an older patients experience memory loss or confusion, it’s not uncommon for doctors to suspect dementia is the cause. But Dr. Roseann Leipzig’s first thought is to check a patient’s list of medications – and not just the prescriptions. “Even many of the medications you can get over the counter can cause problems,” says [...] Related posts:

Even average Medicare plans get government bonuses

Mark Miller — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:31:01 +0000

In Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon Days, all the children are above average. In Washington, the same impossible math is being applied to Medicare’s managed-care insurance plans. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes funds to pay special bonuses to Medicare Advantage plans offering above-average quality of care. Instead, the Obama Administration is paying the bonuses to [...] Related posts:

Why Social Security really isn’t “exhausted”

Mark Miller — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:32:35 +0000

It’s rare to see a federal government official publicly beg reporters to get a story right, but the commissioner of the Social Security Administration seemed ready to get down on his hands and knees at a Monday press briefing. Michael Astrue was cautioning journalists not to scare the public about the meaning of the word [...] Related posts:

The official report on health of Social Security is due on Monday

Mark Miller — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:58:51 +0000

[View the story "Social Security Trustees Report" on Storify] Related posts:Why Social Security really isn’t “exhausted”Senate report: Small changes will get Social Security back on trackIt’s official: 2012 Social Security COLA will be 3.6 percent Related posts: