By Lindsay Carlton; Fox News ~ Jan 18, 2015

Health apps and virtual doctor visits are gaining popularity around the globe. Some say it is the future of medicine, but Dr. Eric Topol, author of “The Patient Will See You Now,” says this new era goes far beyond flashy phones and gadgets, and that the future of medicine is really in your hands.

“People want their own data, they become frustrated when it takes too long to get their own tests and lab results back— and now with these new types of devices, they can have it right on their phone,” Topol told FoxNews.com.

Topol, a cardiologist at Scripps Health in San Diego, Calif., believes new technology will ultimately democratize medicine and enable patients to take control of their own health care and medical data.

By Robert Powell; MarketWatch ~ Jan 17, 2015

Many retirement plans just don’t make the grade. And one that does get high marks may never become reality.

The American Academy of Actuaries just released its assessment of five types of actual and proposed retirement plans from the U.S. and elsewhere. And the assessment isn’t pretty.

Consider:

• Safe harbor defined-contribution plans–those 401(k)-style plans which some 88 million Americans have–get the worst grade: C
• Traditional defined-benefit plans—the kinds of pensions many wish they still had, but that only 3% of working Americans in the private sector have now: C+
• And the South Dakota retirement system, which no one knows much about: B+

By Associated Press; The Washington Post ~ Jan 16, 2015

AT&T says it will record $10 billion in charges in its fourth quarter.

This includes a $7.9 billion pretax loss related to accounting adjustments for gains and losses on pension and benefit plans.

AT&T is also recording a $2.1 billion non-cash charge as it abandons some copper used for landlines.

AT&T said Friday that the copper, which was typically used for wiring, is not needed as consumer demand declines for its older voice and data services. The need for many copper landlines is disappearing as consumers opt for cellphones and Internet-based phone service that arrives over cable TV and fiber optic wiring.

By Michelle Andrews; Kaiser Health News ~ Jan 16, 2015

The majority of people who signed up for Medicare Advantage plans in recent years were switching out of the traditional Medicare program, according to a recent study. The findings contradict the popular belief that growth in Medicare Advantage has been fueled primarily by people who choose it when they first become eligible for Medicare.

Medicare traditional v advantage 570

From News; Telecompaper ~ Jan 13, 2015

AT&T has announced a collaboration with Stratacache and LG Electronics to provide a completely integrated service with Digital Menu Boards for McDonald’s USA’s business.

AT&T is providing project management and connectivity for the Digital Menu Boards through an existing relationship whereby AT&T provides WAN, LAN and Wi-Fi services in over 14,000 McDonald’s US restaurants.

By Eric Garcia; MarketWatch ~ Jan 13, 2015

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday said it will particularly scrutinize retirement advice this year, including fees that are charged and the information provided when accounts are moved.

The agency said its Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations selected practices and products that present a risk to investors and the integrity of capital markets.

The office’s report said it will prioritize examining retail investors who are saving for retirement.

By Kerry Hannon; MarketWatch ~ Jan 13, 2015

This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org.

Workers recently began to get Social Security benefit estimate statements in their mailboxes again for the first time since 2011. But to get the most out of them, you need to know how to read them, fix mistakes in them and plot your retirement plans around them.

I’ve spoken to two experts for their advice on all counts, which I’ll offer below.

By Dan Moisand; MarketWatch ~ Jan 12, 2015

Unlike traditional IRAs and retirement plans, your Roth IRA isn’t subject to required minimum distributions starting at age 70 1/2. This can make converting tempting, but is wise?

1. Mr. Moisand: My wife and I are 61. I will be retiring in 2 ½ years at 64. Should we be converting NOW to Roths to reduce RMD’s in the future or just let it ride? We are currently in the 15% tax bracket but any conversions will move us into the 25% or higher bracket. Also I am hearing we cannot convert after I retire because I no longer have earned income. Just curious about whether conversions and paying the Tax now makes since. Pay me now or pay me later? Thank you for any feedback you could provide. — Kim

By Alexander Bolton; The Hill ~ Jan 12, 2015

Democrats are pressing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to repudiate a rules change by House Republicans that could cut Social Security disability payments by 20 percent.

House Republicans last week included language in their new rules for the 114th Congress making it more difficult to allocate payroll tax revenues to replenish the Social Security Disability Trust Fund, which is due to run out of money in 2016.

“We are deeply concerned that the rule change in the House will impact millions of Social Security beneficiaries,” Democratic leaders and liberals wrote in a letter sent Monday to McConnell.

By Dylan Scott; Talking Points Memo ~ Jan 12, 2015

The new House Budget Committee chairman hinted Monday that he had big plans for Social Security reform in the next two years, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

A week after the House voted on a rule that critics say could force a manufactured crisis in the disability program in late 2016, a potential leverage point for Republicans aiming for changes, Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) told a conservative audience that he wanted his committee to tackle Social Security.

“What I’m hopeful is what the Budget Committee will be able do is to is begin to normalize the discussion and debate about Social Security. This is a program that right now on its current course will not be able to provide 75 or 80 percent of the benefits that individuals have paid into in a relatively short period of time,” he said at a Heritage Action for America event in Washington, D.C., according to AJC. “That’s not a responsible position to say, ‘You don’t need to do anything to do it.’”