Source: http://squaredawayblog.bc.edu/squared-away/medicare-advantage-know-the-pitfalls/
Social Security Credits for Moms?
From the Center for Retirement Research…
Social Security Credits for Moms?
August 4, 2016
“Social Security’s benefits were designed for the typical family when the pension program was enacted in the 1930s…. A spouse, usually the wife, is guaranteed half of her husband’s full retirement age benefit under the program when she reaches her full retirement age – whether she works or not. When her husband dies, her survivor benefit equals his pension benefit.
But women who marry and become divorced within 10 years are not eligible for these benefits. Nor, of course, are single working women, who receive benefits based solely on their own work histories. Increasing numbers of women reaching retirement age today either were in short-term marriages or never married and won’t receive a spousal or survivor benefit. The problem is that most of these women are mothers.”
Making money last in retirement
By Adam Zoll | 03-21-2015 09:00 AM
Source: http://morningstar.com
Note: Not a live video as the host states. It is a recorded version.
Pay gap major cause for retirement insecurity
Women more likely than men to face poverty during retirement
by Adam Allington, Associated Press
July 10, 2016
CHICAGO — “During their working years, women tend to earn less than men, and when they retire, they’re more likely to live in poverty.
These are women who raised children and cared for sick and elderly family members, often taking what savings and income they do have and spending it on things besides their own retirement security.
The National Institute on Retirement Security, a nonprofit research center, reports that women are 80 percent more likely than men to be impoverished at age 65 and older. Women age 75 to 79 are three times more likely.”
Do you have your NPS Senior Pass?
The National Park Service (NPS) is celebrating its 100th birthday today!
You can enter any of the 412 national parks for free from August 25 through August 28. Seniors can celebrate for a lifetime with a NPS Senior Pass. Here are the specifics from the National Park Service website:
- $10 Lifetime NPS Senior Pass
- For U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over.
- May be obtained online, in person at a federal recreation site or through the mail using this application form. The cost of obtaining a Senior Pass through the mail or online is twenty dollars ($20). Ten ($10) for the Senior Pass and ten ($10) for processing the application. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.
- May provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services.
- Generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
- Note: Golden Age Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass.
For more information or questions go to: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html.
About the author of LLR
The Living Life Retired (LLR) author/administrator, Sherry L. Christensen, retired at the age of 55 from teaching business/marketing and advising DECA in a public high school. She worked in industry for 20+ years before becoming a teacher. A proud mother of one married daughter, her favorite little people, her three grandchildren, call her “Nanni.” Sherry became divorced in 2004 after a 21 year marriage.
Sherry holds an associates of science degree from Amarillo College, a bachelors of business administration degree from the University of North Texas, and a master of arts degree in educational leadership from the University of Northern Colorado. She holds a teaching license and a K-12 principal license as well as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) credential.
Retirement Adjustment Stages
I get out of bed at 7:00 a.m. instead of 4:45 a.m. Instead of driving 30 miles one way to work, I don’t go anywhere unless I want to. I am home alone most days instead of in a public high school with 1500 people. In the evenings, I can do whatever I want instead of grade papers or plan lessons. I can even stay up late watching a movie. When I read the newspaper, I read for personal information instead of cutting out relevant articles to instruct my business/marketing students. I can see friends and family, go to the store or do housework when I want, instead of just on the weekends or during school holidays. I have a sign in my home’s entryway which reads,
“I don’t want to.
I don’t have to.
You can’t make me.
I’m retired.”
Retirement is a different life. A life I entered into June 1, 2015 and one I have had difficulty adjusting to.
In The Retirement Maze: What You Should Know Before and After You Retire, the authors would say I am experiencing one of the “…four phases that deal directly and specifically with retirement adjustment: 1. The Honeymoon, 2. Disenchantment, 3. Reorientation, 4. Stability.” One year after receiving a glass retirement clock from my employer, I believe I am living in the reorientation phase of retirement.