Article Excerpt: "...The all items index rose 2.7 percent for the 12 months ending November, after rising 2.6 percent over the 12 months ending October. The all items less food and energy index rose 3.3 percent over the last 12 months. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...What is the average retirement income for a single person? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income for nonfamily households, 65 years and over, is $27,413 (2023). The mean income is $44,474. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...when I asked my wife if we could have some of my friends come for a small gathering at our house, her response was a big NO, the reason being that she had had previous parties for her parents and siblings for other occasions and didn’t feel that celebrating my retirement was necessary. At that moment, I felt totally unvalued, and I never brought the subject up again. However, it surprised me that three weeks later, my wife was the key organizer for a retirement party for a member of her church, in which I saw her put in a lot of effort and time organizing something for someone unrelated to her. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...The narrative of a miserly, Scrooge-like figure hoarding his wealth for years instead of enjoying his retirement might seem unbelievable—but unfortunately, it isn’t relegated only to fiction. It’s a cold reality for many retirees. ...It’s important to remember that this is the money you’ve spent years toiling over and protecting. Now, during a long and happy retirement, is the time to put that money and free time to good use, funneling both resources into your version of a life well-lived. ...
Article Excerpt: "...Regrets included retiring too early, taking Social Security benefits prematurely, and draining retirement savings too quickly. Others said unpreventable life events like a spouse's death or medical emergency set them back. Many wished they held onto jobs longer or better understood how sudden costs could hurt their wallets. And a few talked about finding community — and themselves — in retirement. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...The annual federal benefits open season running from next Monday (November 11) through December 9 will offer the usual range of choices in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and also notably will start the transition of Postal Service employees and retirees into the new Postal Service Health Benefits program beginning in January. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use..."
Article Excerpt: "...Why Use Self Lock? Employment-related identity fraud could mean that someone else is working under your identity and using your SSN. If this happens, someone else’s wages could be reported in your name to the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, and other authorities. By using Self Lock, you can block someone from committing this fraud if they start working for an E-Verify employer. Even if you are not currently working, you may want to protect your SSN and identity with Self Lock. How to Use Self Lock
To access Self Lock, you must be logged in to your myE-Verify account.
To lock your SSN, you must select and answer three challenge questions. Select questions you can easily answer, because you will need to answer them again to verify your identity if you receive an E-Verify Tentative Nonconfirmation (mismatch) due to Self Lock.
If you are about to start a new job with an E-Verify employer, you should log into your account and unlock your SSN."
Article Excerpt: "...Trump Is Trustworthy
According to Drew, Trump comes across as the more credible candidate because she believes he follows through on his promises.
“I personally trust Trump because he does what he says he will do; he will stop the taxation of Social Security.” Drew depends on her Social Security check and likes Trump’s plan of not taxing her monthly benefits...."
Article Excerpt: "...As you may have heard by now, major changes are coming to Post Office health insurance plans in 2025 as the result of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, but one part of this law, scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 2025, will require most future retirees to take on an additional expense in retirement, impacting their monthly finances for life. ... 1. If you will be age 64 or older by Jan. 1, 2025, the new law will not affect you.
2. For all others, if you retire on or after Jan. 1, 2025, you will now be required to take Medicare Part B when you turn 65 or retire, whichever is later, in order to keep your Post Office health insurance."
Article Excerpt: "...Social Security recipients will see a 2.5 percent increase in their monthly checks next year, the federal government announced Thursday. It’s a smaller hike than in recent years..."
Article Excerpt: "...The average monthly annuity payment for a Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) retiree in 2023 is $2,126. This does not include income from Social Security or the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). FERS benefits are calculated by multiplying a retiree's "high-3" average salary by their years and months of service. If a retiree was at least 62 years old when they separated and had at least 20 years of service, their annuity is 1.1% of their "high-3" average salary. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...The House is on the cusp of taking a major step toward the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.
While finally putting a knife in the heart of the WEP/GPO still will take an act of the Senate, congressional support may be coming at the perfect time. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...“The premium increases are due to the impact of price increases by providers and suppliers, increased utilization of certain prescription drugs and behavioral health spending,” OPM said. “Industry-wide cost pressures affect FEHB and PSHB rates similarly.” In dollars, FEHB enrollees will begin paying an average of $26.10 more toward their biweekly health premiums in 2025. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...For many retirees, it doesn't get much better than relaxing on the beach and enjoying the sunshine. Retiring in Hawaii, then, could be a dream come true for many people. As with any state, though, there are advantages and disadvantages to calling Hawaii home. While it can be an incredibly costly place to retire, there are plenty of perks to starting your next chapter in life in The Aloha State. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...This retirement surge was “fairly disruptive” in terms of economists’ views about the true size and health of the U.S. labor force, Bostic said. It also sparked big questions about whether any of those people who left the workforce earlier than expected would want to (or need to) rejoin the labor force in the future. “We have been very closely watching the situation and wondering whether labor supply will rebound to its pre-pandemic levels,” Bostic said. “Fortunately, it appears that retirement rates are slowly reverting closer back to their normal dynamics, which is good to see.”..."
Article Excerpt: "...“This 2% average federal pay increase is disappointing, especially when compared with an expected military pay increase of 4.5% on average. This inequity raises concerns about the fair treatment of federal employees and their contributions to our nation. “This below-market pay increase fails to reflect trends in the private sector, where wages and salaries have risen, and unemployment rates are low. Nor does it keep up with persistent inflation, leaving civil servants with diminished purchasing power. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Series Overview
The Accident unfolds with a seemingly joyful birthday celebration that turns into a disaster when strong winds cause an accident resulting in the deaths of three young children. The ensuing blame and conflict among the adults expose deep-seated guilt and fracture relationships within the community. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Amazon is planning to sell a paid subscription for an artificial intelligence-revamped version of Alexa that could cost as much as $10 a month. ...Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...In 2024, there are seven federal income tax rates and brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. Taxable income and filing status determine which federal tax rates apply to you and how much in taxes you'll owe that year. ...10%: $0 to $11,600-Single, $0 to $23,200-Married, $0 to $16,550-Head-of-Household ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Once you’ve signed up for Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance), you can choose which way you get your health coverage. Choice 1: Do you want Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage? There are 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage – Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. ..."
Article Excerpt: "Some people get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) automatically, and some have to sign up for it. ..."
When you apply for retirement or disability benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board), it also serves as your application for Medicare. Once you get approved for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll automatically get Part A coverage (without having to pay a premium for it) once you’re eligible for Medicare.
If you’re getting benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board) at least 4 months before you turn 65, you’ll automatically get Part A coverage. You’ll also be signed up for Part B (unless you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.). Because you pay a monthly premium for Part B coverage, ...
Article Excerpt: "...As the boomers’ ‘silver tsunami’ crests, the age once synonymous with retirement means something very different... In 2024, the country will see “the beginning of what we call the Peak 65 zone, when we’ll see the largest surge of Americans turning 65 in our history,” ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Longer lifespans have given older singles the opportunity to have new, long relationships. But they need to first accept that it likely will be different this time around. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...It may seem difficult, even scary, to find love again later in life. But I’m happy to share that many of my clients have found new love after 60- even into their 70s and beyond! So how do you increase your chances of finding love after 60? ..."
Article Excerpt: "...42 states have emergency regulations or price-gouging statutes Price-gouging is often defined in terms of the three criteria...In a 2012 survey of leading American economists by the Initiative on Global Markets, only 8 percent agreed with a proposal to prohibit "unconscionably excessive" price gouging"
Article Excerpt: "...The scarring effects of inflation have fueled a kind of nostalgia regarding Donald Trump’s presidency, from 2017 to 2021. In a recent NBC News poll, 40% of respondents said Trump’s presidency was better than expected, a higher portion saying so than when NBC asked the same question in 2018. Voters consistently say they trust Trump more than Biden on the economy, a crucial deficit for Biden given that the two men are vying for the presidency once again this year. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Georgia does not tax Social Security retirement benefits and provides a maximum deduction of $65,000 per person on all types of retirement income for anyone 65 or older. The state’s..."
Article Excerpt: "...insurance costs have skyrocketed—and some of her neighbors can’t get it at all. Home insurance costs are up a whopping 102% since 2021—three times the national average.
Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute also told Fox13: “We’re going to see double-digit increases again in 2024. ”
“Everybody I know got massive rate increases last year or were dropped by their carrier,” laments Newman. Carriers “also want you to replace your roof if it’s over 20 years old, even if it’s in good condition.”
She says many friends are choosing not to pay premiums..."
Article Excerpt: "... The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $174.70 for 2024, an increase of $9.80 from $164.90 in 2023. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $240 in 2024, an increase of $14 from the annual deductible of $226 in 2023 ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Subject to limited exceptions, Postal Service annuitants who retire and become entitled to Medicare Part A after January 1, 2025, and their family members who are entitled to Medicare Part A will be required to enroll in Medicare Part B as a condition of eligibility to enroll in the PSHB Program. ..."
Article Excerpt: "despite receiving less claims and processing more claims than in June, the backlog still increased in size for the second month in a row.
OPM received 6,451 retirement claims in July, 468 less than June’s total of 6,919 claims received. ..."
Many retirees find healthy benefits to having a private, calming aquatic garden for your home, condo or apartment. The sounds of a waterfall and chirping birds can relax your soul and possibly lower blood pressure. It is also a great area to add flowers, fruit and veggies organically grown in your own yard. It is so nice to gather fresh blueberries, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, peppers, figs, watermelons and a plethora of other items directly from you own home spaces. The physical upkeep and additions can offer physical, as well as mental health. The sights of swimming fish and the sound of a croaking bullfrog is sure to put a big smile on your face. Give it a try! Here is an example of a watergarden in Huntsville, Alabama. Click the image for pages of ideas, videos, and beautiful pictures:
Article Excerpt: "...As of 2022, the average retirement age among U.S. workers is age 61, according to a poll from Gallup. That's up from age 59 in 2002 and age 57 in 1991. This is in line with other research suggesting that workers are choosing to retire later in life. A 2023 report from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, for example, found that nearly half of baby boomers plan to work past age 70 or never retire at all. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...inflation harms most older households, the risks vary across the age and wealth distribution. Specifically, inflation harms retirees more than near retirees because – outside of Social Security – retiree income is less indexed to prices, and retirees hold less fixed-rate debt...."
The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) which will provide health insurance to eligible Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their eligible family members starting in 2025. The PSHB Program coverage will replace Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program coverage for these groups.
USPS has issued fact sheets on the PSHB program – one for current Postal employees, and one for Postal annuitants. Visiting these links will bring you to a USPS-owned website.
Article Excerpt: "...They stayed in their blue-collar jobs for so long because they couldn't afford to take risks. They provided stability and support for myself and my brother, Jhai. As we grew up, we were both motivated to work hard. Many young people go out partying and drinking, but Jhai and I never really did that. It felt disrespectful to our parents. I set high expectations for myself. I wanted to be able to take care of my parents so they wouldn't have to struggle...."
Article Excerpt: "...The oldest members of Generation X are turning 59 1/2 this month, the earliest age when workers can start withdrawing retirement assets without a penalty. But many Gen Xers are far from prepared for their golden years, with almost half saying it would take a "miracle" for them to be able to retire, according to a new Natixis study. Gen X — people born between 1965 and 1980 — is the first generation of U.S. workers to come of age with 401(k) plans as their primary retirement vehicle after employers largely shifted away from traditional pensions in the 1980s. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Larry Fink, the 71-year-old CEO of the asset-management behemoth BlackRock, offered a two-part solution to the looming retirement crisis in his annual March letter to shareholders. In order to avoid economic catastrophe, he argued, people should save more money and work longer. "What if the government and the private sector treated 60-plus year-olds as late-career workers with much to offer rather than people who should retire?" Fink wrote. The current Social Security retirement age is 67, but most Americans depart the workforce earlier than that. If more people kept working into their late 60s and 70s, the impending crisis would soften. ..."
Blogger Note: Joe Biden is President Now! Why isn't he increasing social security benefits now? Why is he still making sure illegals are processed in as quick as he can? Why has he raped our defense stockpiles to proteect Ukraine borders, but not America or Israel? Why does his administration continue to manipulate CPI and Jobs Reports to make it appear inflation is going down when we can all see it's a lie? Biden can do things now, what makes you think his lying, train wreck of an administration will do anything if they are elected again? 'Wake up and smell the hair', as creepy Joe Biden would say as he paws women and children.
Article Excerpt: "...Arizonans ages 50+ will be key to determining who wins in November. This voting bloc makes up an outsized portion of the electorate: in the 2020 elections, older voters accounted for 55% of all Arizona voters and in the 2022 mid-terms, they made up 64% of the state’s voters. Eighty-six percent of voters ages 50+ say they are “extremely motivated” to vote in this election, compared to 66% of voters ages 18-49 who say the same. Former President Donald Trump (R) leads President Joe Biden (D) by 8 percentage points among voters ages 18 and older – 45% to 37%, with Robert Kennedy Jr. at 11%. Trump’s lead is greater among voters ages 50 and older, at 49% - 39%. ... Immigration and border security (41%) is the most important issue to voters ages 50 and older" ...
Article Excerpt: "... With less than two weeks until the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle, CNN has released additional details on the parameters agreed upon by the Trump and Biden campaigns. ..."
Rebuild the Greatest Economy in History, Fair Trade for the American Worker, Unleash Energy Dominance, Secure Borders and Reclaim National Sovereignty, War on the Drug Cartels, Stop Crime and Restore Safety, Renew American Strength and Leadership, Reject Globalism and Embrace Patriotism, Care For Our Veterans, Protect Parents’ Rights, Defend Law and Liberty, End Censorship and Reclaim Free Speech, Free, Honest and Lawful Elections, Drain the Swamp of Washington Corruption, Better Health Care Choices at Lower Costs, and more
Article Excerpt: "...Initial retirement claims in May completed in less than 60 days took on average 37 days to process, a two day decrease from April, while initial cases that were processed in more than 60 days on average took 119 days, an increase of 15 days, from the previous month. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...The average monthly Social Security payment for retired workers is $1,298 at age 62 (the earliest possible claiming age) and..."
Article Excerpt: "...What started as a retirement project turned into a decade-long labor of love for Janet and Steve Golly.
The Charleston couple converted a 55-foot Islander Yacht fiberglass hull into a full-blown ‘pirate ship,’ named Serenity.
“We have..."
Article Excerpt: "...over 500,000 state and local retirees were affected. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Each of the phrases offers an important lesson for leading a fulfilling and successful life, Mukherjee said during a commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania last week. “Every person that I’ve met in this moment of transition wanted to make four offerings,” he added. The phrases are: ..."
Article Excerpt: "...it was a transfer payment by the people who are in their productive years to the people who are past their productive years," Buffett explained.
Buffett strongly advocated for maintaining, if not enhancing, the benefits provided by Social Security. "I basically believe that anything that would take Social Security payments below their present guaranteed level is a mistake," he affirmed. He emphasized a wealthy nation’s capability and responsibility to care for its younger and older generations. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Over half of the students at UCLA Medical School failed basic tests after its dean implemented race-based, woke diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine has seen a drastic drop in its rankings, with some faculty members citing admissions decisions that “prioritize diversity over merit” as the cause.
Since Jennifer Lucero was appointed to the dean of admissions in June 2020, the medical school’s ranking has gone from sixth place to 18th place. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Joe Biden really is delusional.
The president seems to think that debating Donald Trump, his presumed Republican presidential rival, is a good idea.
After Biden taunted Trump to acquiesce to a match Wednesday morning, the former president quickly responded that he is ready to “rumble.”
Bring on the popcorn. ..."
Biden says debate must be in "June and September" so the majority of Democrats have already voted via mail so his poor performance will not impact his chances. Biden says he will not participate in the traditional televised showdowns. He says he does not want the official traditional, nonprofit, nonpartisan televised showdowns organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Trump simply says, “Let’s set it up right now,” “I’m ready to go anywhere that you are.”
So Biden challenges Trump to pair of debates — but only on his terms. President Biden said he will not participate in debates sponsored by a nonpartisan commission. He (Joe Biden) wants a biden-friendly and biased setting where liberal media can control the narrative in favor of himself. And even more requirements as follows: The Biden team also wants the debates to be on stages inside a television studio with microphones that automatically cut out when the speaker’s time elapses — and no live audience, the Times noted. However, with all this said, Trump remains significantly ahead of crooked, Hamas loving Joe Biden. So when is the dabate Josephine? The proposed debates would also exclude Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and any other third-party candidates.
Resource: Federal RetirementArticle Excerpt: "...calculation of retirement benefits using two examples, labeled case A and case B. In each case, the worker retires in 2024. Case A, born in 1962, retires at age 62. Case B, born in 1958, retires at his normal (or full) retirement age. In each case, we assume the worker has covered earnings from 1984 through 2023, as shown at right in columns labeled "nominal earnings." Indexing brings nominal earnings up to near-current wage levels. For each case, the table shows columns of earnings before and after..."
Article Excerpt: "..."We expect more beneficiaries to become liable for federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits for the first time in the upcoming 2024 tax season," Mary Johnson, a Social Security and Medicare policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League, told Yahoo Finance. ..."
Article Excerpt: "...Inflation is continuing to take a financial and mental toll on retirees, with nearly 70 percent concerned about outliving their savings, according to the Schroders 2024 US Retirement Survey.
The survey drew responses from 2,000 US investors aged 28 to 79, including 498 retirees, revealing..."
Article Excerpt: "..."This is a humanitarian catastrophe that is harming our communities and wreaking havoc across the country," he said. "Every day Washington lets this crisis continue without bipartisan action, they are failing the American people." ...The U.S. is in the grip of a border crisis now into its fourth year. There were a record 2.4 million migrant encounters at the southern border in FY 23. Thus far in FY 24, there have been more than 1.3 million, with six months still to go. "
Article Excerpt: "There's more to Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) than meets the eye. ...In March, the nearly 50.7 million retired workers who collected a Social Security benefit took home an average of $1,913.31. Though this might not sound like much...the SSA doesn't rely on a full year's worth of CPI-W readings to calculate its annual COLA. Rather, only readings from the third quarter (July through September) factor into the calculation. If the average CPI-W reading in the third quarter of the current year increases from the average CPI-W reading in the third quarter of the previous year, inflation has occurred, and Social Security beneficiaries are due a larger payout in the upcoming year. The amount that payouts rise is determined by the year-over-year percentage increase in the average third-quarter CPI-W, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. ...Based on the $1,913.31 that the average retired-worker beneficiary took home in March, a 2.6% cost-of-living adjustment would increase benefits by nearly $50 per month next year."
Article Excerpt: "...Some people who receive monthly Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments may need help managing their money. When we receive information that indicates you need help, we’ll work with you to find the most suitable representative payee to manage your benefits.
A representative payee is someone who receives your monthly benefit payment on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your current needs.
These include..."
Article Excerpt: "...Seniors need to be aware of recent modifications that will change their Social Security benefit payments. Check here to see how some eligible seniors who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will see changes in their monthly paychecks. ...proposal would use its legal authority to enter into information-sharing agreements with payroll providers. This would give them access to payroll data, which they could then use to analyze and determine the precise Social Security benefit amount to be paid.
The new system will be known as the Payroll Information Exchange (PIE). "
Article Excerpt: "...Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday held a campaign rally in Wisconsin with an empty mic stand next to his podium, symbolic of his eagerness to debate President Biden “anytime, anyplace” ahead of the November election.
“You can see we have an empty podium right here to my right. You know what that is? That’s for Joe Biden,” Trump, 77, told his supporters in Green Bay, motioning toward the vacant lectern.
“I’m trying to get him to debate,” he added. “I’m calling on ‘Crooked Joe’ to debate anytime, anyplace. We’ll do it anyway you want, Joe.” ..."
Biden Ask: "How Many Times Does Trump Have To Prove 'WE' Can't Be Trusted?" Answer by Americans: Don't worry Joe, Trump does not have to continue to prove to us that you and your admnistration can't be trusted. You prove it every single time you open your mouth.
Many say Biden's question was simply a Freudian slip. We agree, since a Freudian Slip is defined as mistakenly speaking your true unconscious thoughts. You said it yourself Joe. You cannot be trusted!