From Judith Graham, KHN; Chicago Tribune ~ Oct 11, 2017
Millions of seniors will soon be notified that Medicare premiums for physicians’ services are rising and likely to consume most of the cost-of-living adjustment they’ll receive next year from Social Security.
Higher 2018 premiums for Medicare Part B will hit older adults who’ve been shielded from significant cost increases for several years, including large numbers of low-income individuals who struggle to make ends meet.
From Joseph Coughlin; Forbes ~ Oct 11, 2017
We often make choices in a vacuum. What are seemingly distinct decisions often have a ripple effect of changes that go well beyond the sphere of what we thought was a single choice at a single moment. These types of choices are ripple decisions. The college we choose, for example, may set us on a trajectory of a particular career.
By Erin Mershon, StatNews – Oct 11, 2017
WASHINGTON — If House Speaker Paul Ryan comes down with the flu this winter, he and his security detail won’t be screeching off toward the closest CVS for his Tamiflu.
Instead, he can just walk downstairs and pick up the pills, part of a little-known perk open to every member of Congress, from Ryan and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell down to the newest freshman Democrat.
From John Mauldin; Forbes ~ Oct 10, 2017
In the US, we have two national programs to care for the elderly. Social Security provides a small pension, and Medicare covers medical expenses. All workers pay taxes that supposedly fund the benefits we may someday receive.
The problem is that’s not actually true. Neither of these programs is comprehensive.
The End of Government Entitlements
By Jeffry Bartash; MarketWatch ~ Oct 10, 2017
Higher inflation tied to hurricanes likely to pad COLA increase.
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma caused a lot of hardship, but there may be a silver lining for seniors: The storms could end up giving retirees a few extra dollars in their Social Security checks next year.
By Chris Taylor; Reuters ~ Oct 10, 2017
NEW YORK (Reuters) – If you have an aging parent and want a glimpse of what the future holds, look no further than Leslie Glutzer.
The 66-year-old from Chicago has a mom who is 92, dealing with dementia, now living in a local nursing home. Those costs are not covered by Medicaid, so Glutzer and her husband are spending more than $5,000 a month from their savings.
It really starts to add up,” Glutzer says.
By B. Douglas Hoey; The Hill ~ Sep 11, 2017
It’s time to reform accessibility to prescription drugs
Too many Americans can’t readily access or afford their prescription drugs. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) play a central role in creating this dynamic.
By Paul A. Merriman; MarketWatch ~ Sep 06, 2017
Relationships matter more than anything else
No matter how good we are as investors, savers, planners and personal financiers, other people are almost always affected by our decisions and actions, our successes and our failures.
Quite often, the people most affected are those we care the most about. Our children and grandchildren, our spouses and partners, sometimes even our parents, all have an interest in our finances.
From Joel Johnson; Forbes ~ Sep 05, 2017
Many people may find themselves wondering what to do with a 401(k) from a previous employer. Perhaps they left the company last year, or maybe it’s been more than a decade since they left. Either way, the money is still there, and they’re just not sure if they have options or what those options might be. Chances are, you’re not paying attention to an old 401(k).
By Ethan Wolff-Mann; Yahoo Finance ~ Sep 05, 2017
The U.S. is up against its debt ceiling, with $19.847 trillion in debt securities issued. At the same time, funding for the government expires on Oct. 1, and if President Donald Trump and Congress can’t reach a deal, the government will face a shutdown.
While affecting millions, a shutdown isn’t necessarily as worrisome to many as the shadow of uncertainty surrounding the government’s ability to pay its debts.
