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Is retiring abroad right for you?

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retiring abroad
Joseph Roginski via AP

Growing Number of Americans are Retiring Outside the US

Maria Zamudio, For The Associated Press

December 29, 2016

“Newly widowed, Kay McCowen quit her job, sold her house, applied for Social Security and retired to Mexico. It was a move she and her husband, Mel, had discussed before he passed away in 2012.

‘I wanted to find a place where I could afford to live off my Social Security,’ she said. ‘The weather here is so perfect, and it’s a beautiful place.’

She is among a growing number of Americans who are retiring outside the United States. The number grew 17 percent between 2010 and 2015 and is expected to increase over the next 10 years as more baby boomers retire.”

Japan experienced the biggest growth of American retirees — at 42 percent

“Just under 400,000 American retirees are now living abroad, according to the Social Security Administration. The countries they have chosen most often: Canada, Japan, Mexico, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Retirees most often cite the cost of living as the reason for moving elsewhere, said Olivia S. Mitchell, director of the Pension Research Council at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

‘I think that many people retire when they are in good health and they are interested in stretching their dollars and seeing the world,’ Mitchell said.”

Read more about retiring abroad

 

Childhood Christmas traditions

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Christmas is my favorite holiday.  It was a big deal and a special time in my childhood home on our farm in Iowa.  Our family Christmas traditions were sacred.

  • My family always had a real Christmas tree.  Sometimes we bought one and sometimes my Dad trudged out in the deep snow and cold to find a suitable cedar tree for the honor of being propped up in a metal stand in our living room.  It was prominently placed typically in front of the south-facing picture window so everyone driving on the gravel road past our home could see it.
  • All seven of us kids decorated the Christmas tree.  We loved it when our Mom brought out the old Christmas ornaments and we fought over who would carefully place the most special glass ones on the tree.  We also had several hand-made ornaments.
  • I think all of my sisters and my brother have stories about trying to find hidden Christmas presents.  I know I always tried to peek when my Mom wasn’t around.  If she found us peeking we were punished by having to stand in a corner.  Sometimes all four corners of the living room had a kid in it facing punishment.

    Christmas traditions
    slc
  • My Mom baked year ’round but Christmas was an extra special time for baking.  Decorating Christmas cookies cut out with the old silver cookie cutters was a delightful time.  She also always made the most delectable pies.  The crust was so flaky which was possibly due to using the bacon drippings she saved in a can next to the stove.
  • For weeks, my siblings and I practiced for the Christmas Eve program at church.  This was an annual tradition and the center stage of our celebration.
  • Just hours before this church program I fondly remember receiving one gift from our Mother.  The gift was new clothes which we would wear to the church program.  As the fourth-born child whom nearly always wore hand-me-downs, a beautiful new dress was a dream come true.

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Christmas cards and letters–a thing of the past?

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Christmas cards
slc

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Last week I wrote and mailed my annual Christmas cards and letters.  I have sent cards and letters almost every year since the early 80’s.  Back then I probably sent out 40-50 cards and received about 20-25 from family and friends.  Now, I send about 20-25 and receive about 5-10.

Facebook is probably one reason most people don’t send out cards or letters.  It seems most people find it easier and cheaper (no cost for cards and stamps) to send out invitations, birthday and holiday greetings through social media.  Also, we know more about everyone’s lives because of Twitter and Facebook so there isn’t the need for the annual update.  However, I still enjoy receiving and sending cards and letters.  I guess that makes me “old school” or old-fashioned.

When I stopped by Walgreens to pick up the photos I ordered to send with my annual letter, the clerk said, “Oh, you are old school,” when I told her the photos were for my annual Christmas letters.  I proudly replied, “Yes, I guess I am.”

How about you?  Do you still send or receive Christmas cards?  Are you “old school?”

Don’t let holiday depression creep into this joyous season

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During the Christmas holiday season last year I was afflicted with shingles and suffered depression due to the quarantine my doctor ordered.  It was the worst Christmas ever!  I was not able to attend church services on Christmas Eve nor see my family until January.  I was feeling hurt and alone.  I recovered but the depression due to the isolation was unbearable at the time.

Read further for helpful information if you, or someone you know, is suffering from holiday blues during this season and remember, “This too shall pass.”

holiday depression
homehelpers

Holiday Depression

by Michael Kerr

March 21, 2016

“Holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but for some people they are anything but.

Depression may occur at any time of the year, but the stress and anxiety during the months of November and December may cause even those who are usually content to experience loneliness and a lack of fulfillment.

Why is depression so common during the holidays?

There are several reasons why you may develop depression during the holidays:

Social Isolation

Social isolation is one of the biggest predictors of depression, especially during the holidays.

Some people may have a small social circle or a lack opportunities for socialization. People who have feelings of disconnectedness often avoid social interactions at holiday time. Unfortunately, withdrawing often makes the feelings of loneliness and symptoms of depression worse.

These individuals may see other people spending time with friends and family, and ask themselves, ‘Why can’t that be me?’ or ‘Why is everyone else so much happier than I am?’

One of the best ways to deal with social isolation is to reach out to friends or family for support. You can also try talking to a therapist. They can help you figure out where your feelings come from and develop solutions to overcome them.

holiday depression
psychdigest.com

Grieving During the Holidays

Some people may be keenly aware of the loss of a loved one during the holiday season. Here are several ways to stave off the holiday blues that may descend at this time:

Begin a new tradition – Try planning a family outing or vacation, instead of spending the holidays at home.”

Read more ways to stave off the holiday blues and/or click here for Another good resource for helping an elderly neighbor or family member during the holidays.

Dementia rate declines in the US

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dementia rate
Getty Images

Dramatic decline in dementia seen among older adults in the US

by Sharon Begley

November 21, 2016

“The percent of older US adults with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, declined from 11.6 percent in 2000 to 8.8 percent in 2012, a decrease of nearly a quarter, scientists reported on Monday.

Why it matters:

It had been thought that the baby boomers’ march toward old age would triple the number of Alzheimer’s patients by 2050. These new numbers not only portend a lesser burden on the health care system (and families) but also suggest that something has changed over the generations — and identifying that change could drive down dementia rates even further.

You’ll want to know:

That’s a significant decline: If the rate of dementia in 2012 had been what it was in 2000, ‘there would be well more than 1 million additional people with dementia,’ said John Haaga, director of the National Institute on Aging’s behavioral and social research, who was not involved in the study. As it is, an estimated 5 million Americans 65 and older are afflicted with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.

The nitty gritty:

Researchers led by Dr. Kenneth Langa of the University of Michigan analyzed data on more than 10,500 Health and Retirement Study participants aged 65 or older in 2000 and 2012.

The percent of seniors with dementia fell to 8.8 percent in 2012; accounting for the greater proportion of those who were 85 years or older, the decline was even greater: to 8.6 percent, the team reported in JAMA Internal Medicine.

One possible factor is education.”  Read more

We are in good company…

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What could be more beautiful than a dear old lady growing wise with age? Every age can be enchanting, provided you live within it.            –Bridget Bardot, 82

good company
today.com

Beloved Florence Henderson passed away last week at the age of 82.  I grew up knowing her as Carol Brady, the mom, from The Brady Bunch.  I don’t think I ever missed an episode!  Recently, I saw her on Dancing with the Stars and she looked as if she had not aged much at all since playing the role of Carol in the 60’s and 70’s.

In light of her passing, I thought it might be interesting to see how old some of our other favorite celebrities are.  Their words of wisdom came from either imdb.com or brainyquotes.com.

  • Mary Tyler Moore, 79 “Take chances, make mistakes.  That’s how you grow.  Pain nourishes your courage.  You have to in order to practice being brave.”
  • Carol Burnett, 83 “The best advice that I could give is be kind.”
  • Betty White, 94 “Don’t try to be young. Just open your mind. Stay interested in stuff.”
  • Jane Fonda, 78 “Don’t give up no matter how hard it is. Try to make the best of who you are.”
  • Shirley MacLaine, 82 “You are the architect of your personal experience.”
  • Clint Eastwood, 86 “Society has made us believe you should look like an 18-year-old model all your life. But I figure I might as well just be what I am.”

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Financial decision making resources for divorcing or newly widowed women

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If you are facing a divorce or if you are recently widowed, you may find the following financial decision making resources helpful.  When I was divorcing over 12 years ago, the judge ordered a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) written and submitted to my ex’s workplace so I was guaranteed a portion of his pension when he retires.  The QDRO also required I hire an expert to figure out the value of the account at the time of the divorce.  The judge ordered my ex and I to split the cost of these extras.

Learn more about QDROs and other important issues from the resources below from the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER). 

“Both divorce and widowhood can be extremely emotional and oftentimes unexpected events in a woman’s life. The difficulties are often further compounded by the practical issues that arise during these transitional periods. WISER has developed various resources to help make this time a bit less stressful and to help newly divorced or widowed women make smart and informed financial decisions.

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