By Anne Tergesen; The Wall Street Journal ~ Nov 01, 2015

If you are withdrawing funds from an inherited retirement account, you might be overlooking a sizable income-tax deduction.

Officially called the estate-tax deduction, but better known as the IRD deduction (which stands for income in respect of a decedent), it is available to those who have inherited certain financial assets, including a traditional individual retirement account or a 401(k) account, from someone with an estate large enough to have paid a federal estate tax.

By Robert Powell; MarketWatch ~ Oct 31, 2015

Millions lose out on benefits from popular claiming tactic

It was good while it lasted. But all good things — especially those which lawmakers regard as an unintended loophole — must come to an end.

Congress has agreed to, and the president is expected to sign into law, a bill that 1) averts a government shutdown and 2) shuts down two popular Social Security claiming tactics: the-file-and-suspend and the restricted-application Social Security strategies.

From Mike Patton; Forbes ~ Oct 31, 2015

Today’s federal government is a massive and out of control entity. Its annual spending, which is quickly approaching $3.7 trillion, is all the proof we need. Where is all this money going? In this article, we will look at the federal budget and discuss why there may be trouble ahead.

By Luke Delorme; ValueWalk ~ Oct 30, 2015

The U.S. budget deal includes a provision that seeks to end the file-and-suspend and restricted claiming strategies. I explained these strategies in recent blogs as a way to bring couples upwards of $60,000 more in total Social Security benefits.

The section of the bill is titled “Closure of Unintended Loopholes.” Let’s take a look at the details of the proposal, who it will affect, and what you can do now.

By Joseph Antos, U.S. News and World Report – Oct 29, 2015

The fix is in, but seniors have little reason to celebrate. About 16 million Medicare beneficiaries were facing an unprecedented 52 percent increase next year in their premiums for Part B, which pays for physician services. The budget deal worked out by the White House and Congress held that to a more manageable 15 percent increase. But this kicks the cost down the road, leaving an even bigger problem for seniors in future years.

By former HUD Secy. Henry Cisneros &d former Rep. Vin Weber (R-Minn.) ; The Hill ~ Oct 28, 2015

Enhancing the ability of our nation’s seniors to “age in place” in their own homes and communities has the potential to improve health outcomes and quality of life. It can also reduce preventable healthcare costs and delay the decision by seniors to receive more expensive care in a nursing home or other institutionalized setting.

By Matthew Perrone; The Associated Press ~ Oct 28, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans from across the political spectrum are worried about the cost of prescription drugs for serious diseases, following weeks of news coverage about companies hiking prices for critical medicines.

Keeping drugs for cancer, hepatitis, HIV and other conditions affordable is the top health priority for Democrats, Republicans and independents, according to a poll released Wednesday by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.

By Rachel L. Sheedy; Kiplinger ~ Oct 28, 2015

Two popular strategies that help married couples boost their Social Security benefits will get the ax if Congress approves a bipartisan budget deal.

See Also: States That Tax Social Security

From Joanna Nesbit; Forbes ~ Oct 28, 2015

While their 84-year-old father recovered at a rehabilitation facility after landing in the hospital with symptoms of a mini-stroke, the Jones (not their real name) siblings took the opportunity to do some cleaning at his house.

Opening the fridge, they were shocked to find layers of mold, hardened food and multiple jars of the same item in varying states of decomposition. They knew solo living had become challenging for their dad, but they didn’t realize the extent of the decline.