September 28, 2015

Your weekly link to grown-up news and information from newspaper and

magazine publications, news organizations and web resources nationwide.

IN THIS ISSUE

Health

Mind

Medicare

Money

Taxes

Retirement

Social Security

Scams

Grandparenting

Working

HEALTH:

The Best Treatments for Chronic Pain: Chronic pain affects an estimated 100 million Americans. More of us suffer from it as we age, but relief may be in reach. Next Avenue, Sept. 22.

Retirement Might Not Agree With Your Health: Seniors who keep working appear healthier than those who quit the workforce, new research suggests. HealthDay, Sept. 24.

Most Americans Will Get a Wrong or Late Diagnosis at Least Once in Their

Lives: This critical type of health-care error is far more common than medication mistakes or surgery on the wrong patient or body part. The Washington Post, Sept. 22.

Near the End, It's Best to Be 'Friended': Older patients without anyone to make medical decisions on their behalf are described as unbefriended. In a crisis, there is no one to speak for them. The New York Times, Sept. 25.

How to Save on Hearing Aids: It's unfortunate, but millions of Americans with hearing loss don't get hearing aids because they simply can't afford them. The Huffington Post, Sept. 21.

MIND:
The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's: More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's today, with another person developing the disease every 68 seconds. By 2050, the number of people living with Alzheimer's disease is expected to triple. CNN, Sept. 21.

MEDICARE:
The Basics of Medicare: Choosing the Right Plan for You: From traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage plans to Medigap policies, you have plenty of options. US News and World Report, Sept. 24.

MONEY:

Why Millions of Americans Are Raiding Their Retirement Savings: With the effects of the financial crisis still lingering, 30 million Americans in the last 12 months tapped retirement savings to pay for an unexpected expense. Money, Sept. 23.

Smart Ways to Comfortably Retire: Ignoring your accounts can make it hard to achieve your retirement dreams. US News and World Report, Sept. 22.

SIMPLE IRA: A Smart and Easy Option for Retirement Savings: A SIMPLE IRA account could be a great way to save for the future if you don't have a 401(k). The Motley Fool, Sept. 25.

Are You Going to Outlive Your Money? Nobody lives forever, which oddly enough may be a comfort when you are planning for a financially secure retirement. MainStreet, Sept. 21.

The Brilliant Retirement Idea That Nobody Likes: Americans have been ignoring this smart retirement fix. Can the nation's largest retirement player change that? Money, Sept. 22.

Ensuring Your Retirement Savings Last as Long as

You Do: Deciding

how much of your retirement income you would like to be guaranteed isn't purely a financial issue. Emotions are involved too. CNNMoney/Real Deal Retirement, Sept. 21.

How Much Do You Really Need for Retirement? For years, financial advisors recommended people save at least $1 million to enjoy a comfortable retirement. But given longer lifespans and concerns about the financial status of Social Security, is that target enough? CNBC, Sept. 21.

How to Break Your Income Addiction Before Retirement: Why do lottery winners go broke? Why do we hear so many stories about professional athletes falling on hard times after earning tens of millions of dollars? And why do so many retirement attempts by "average Americans" fail? The answer to all three of these questions is the same. USA Today, Sept. 21.

TAXES:
This Little Known Tax Credit Can Help You Save: Most people know they should save more for retirement, but many can't, or won't, because they say it's hard, confusing, or it is simply not their only priority. CNBC, Sept. 24.

RETIREMENT:

Where Will 78 Million Boomers Retire? Facing the Challenge of Aging in Place: Many

independent-minded seniors are resisting the pressure to move to often costly retirement communities or assisted living facilities and are instead making plans to stay at home. Fiscal Times, Sept. 25.

Age Gaps Complicate the Retirement Equation for Couples: Planning for retirement is never simple. But when one spouse is years older than the other, there is often even more to consider. USA Today, Sept. 26.

How to Ease Your Transition Into Retirement: Try these strategies to prevent problems with your finances and social life as you move to retirement. US News and World Report, Sept. 21.

Getting on the Same Page: A Retirement Checklist for Married

Couples: If you and your spouse share a vision of retiring together, you're more likely to achieve that goal with a solid retirement plan. Bankrate.com, Sept. 21.

SOCIAL SECURITY:

How Millions of Americans Are Flubbing Retirement: It's widely regarded as the best deal in retirement. Researchers can't figure out why more Americans aren't taking it. Money, Sept. 24.

The Best Reason Not To Wait To Take Social Security: It often makes sense to wait as long as you can to take Social Security. But new research shows why waiting as long as possible doesn't make sense for everyone, even people who have enough assets to wait. Money, Sept. 24.

Low Gas Prices May Doom Social Security Raise: Falling prices at the pump mean that retirees probably won't get a boost to their Social Security benefits next year. CNNMoney, Sept. 22.

When You Should File for Social Security Benefits: Waiting to claim Social Security benefits can significantly boost your guaranteed lifetime income in retirement. CNBC, Sept. 23.

SCAMS:

Contest Scams Use Publishers Clearing House Name: Never pay money upfront to claim a prize or cover so-called taxes. If you're being asked to load money on a prepaid card or wire money, it's a Publishers Clearing House impostor scam. USA Today, Sept. 26.

Lies, Secrets, and Scams: How to Prevent Elder Abuse: Seniors and their families lose billions of dollars each year to heartless fraudsters. Learn how you can help. Consumer Reports, Sept. 22.

GRANDPARENTING:
Grandparents Raising Grandkids: Money Squeeze: Finances are often tight for older Americans, but a new report reveals they can be especially oppressing for many low-income grandparents caring for their grandchildren. Next Avenue, Sept. 22.

WORK:

Working in Retirement Means Going Back to School: For those who are choosing an extended work life as part of their retirement plan, they may need to invest in going back to school. MarketWatch, Sept. 25.

The Sharing Economy Attracts Older Adults: More older Americans are turning to gigs through services like TaskRabbit to supplement retirement savings and investments. The New York Times, Sept. 25.

The Key to Finding Satisfying Work in Retirement: This may be the first time in your working life you get a chance to consider what you want to do as opposed to what you can or should do. Next Avenue, Sept. 21.

What It Takes for an Age Discrimination Case: It's important for older workers to be aware of their rights on the job and to know whether they might have grounds for an age discrimination suit. Next Avenue, Sept. 25.

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