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December 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
Medicine
Medicare
Money
Retirement
Social Security
Legal Issues
Scams
Insurance
Caregiving
End of Life
Extra
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HEALTH:
7 Health Symptoms You Should Never Ignore: Oftentimes we brush off minor health symptoms, like a headache or nausea, for a flu or cold bug. Bur there are some health symptoms that you really shouldn't pass off. Cheat Sheet, Dec. 26.

Skin Tags, Moles, and Other Weird Skin Bumps, Explained: For the most part,
those annoying little changes to our skin mean nothing. But how do you know? Grandparents.com, Dec. 23.   

New Diagnostic Tools for Prostate Cancer: The new tests are aimed at identifying the most aggressive cancers, but some experts advise they may have not been adequately studied yet. The New York Times, Dec. 21. 

How to Handle Surprise Medical Bills: Nearly a third of privately insured Americans received a surprise medical bill (where their health plan paid less than expected) in the past two years, according to a Consumer Reports National Research Center survey. MarketWatch, Dec. 22.  
MEDICINE:
U.S. Task Force Backs Statins for Those 40 to 75 at Heightened Heart Risk: Primary focus is on people with 10 percent or greater threat of heart attack or stroke within 10 years. HealthDay, Dec. 21.  
MEDICARE:
America's Most Expensive Medicare Drugs: A new tool released this week allows consumers to search for how much Medicare spends on prescription drugs. US News and World Report, Dec. 24.

Reasons Why Seniors Should Buy a Medicare Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage plans can provide coverage that goes above and beyond traditional Medicare, but it comes at a price. The Motley Fool, Dec 27.
MONEY:
3 Ways you're Sabotaging your Retirement Without Realizing It: If you're like most American workers, it's easier for you to buy a flat-screen TV today than to save for a future when you might be too deaf to hear it. MarketWatch, Dec. 26.

Time to get a reverse mortgage in 2016? Reverse mortgages aren't well understood by many people, so here's what you need to know about these loans, as well as their benefits and drawbacks. USA Today, Dec. 24.

Top 10 Saving and Investing Tips for Retirement in 2016: Saving now to spend that money in 30 years or later takes wisdom and discipline. Unfortunately, wisdom and discipline take time to develop -- and most people can't afford to wait. Bankrate.com, Dec. 24.

How to Give your Home to your Children Tax-Free: There are several ways to give a home to your child. And a few are tax-free. But in order for the transaction to work properly, you've got to plan ahead. MarketWatch, Dec. 22.

A Safe And Easy Way To Boost Your Income In Retirement: All retirees living off their investments (not to mention people still building a nest egg) should at least take a hard look at how much they're paying in investment costs, including any fees to advisers, to see whether they can do better. CNNMoney/Real Deal Retirement, Dec. 21.  

Tips for Successful Senior Investing: Seniors look for retirement income out of their investments, but chasing yield carries risks. US News and World Report, Dec. 21.  
RETIREMENT:
Don't Let These Unexpected Costs Derail your Retirement: Plan Ahead Instead: It's not what you know that will crush your lifestyle in retirement. It's what you don't know. USA Today, Dec. 23. 
SOCIAL SECURITY:
Taking Social Security in 2016? Here's What You Need to Know: If you're planning on taking Social Security in 2016, it's important to understand what's involved in getting your benefits started as well as what implications your decision has for your finances throughout retirement. USA Today, Dec. 24.

Spend Retirement Savings Early to Get a Higher Social Security Benefit at 70? Waiting until age 70 to claim a Social Security benefit gives retirees a big pay raise. Bankrate.com, Dec. 23. 
LEGAL ISSUES:
Estate Planning Advice for Singles: You need to take different steps than married people. Here's how. Next Avenue, Dec. 23. 
SCAMS:
5 Tax Scams to Watch Out for in 2016: Every filing season, taxpayers have to be on the lookout for con artists looking to run tax scams. USA Today, Dec. 25.

Avoid a Charity Scam: 10 Dos and Don'ts of Donating: Don't get taken by a charity scam. Use these tips to make smart donations to reputable aid organizations this holiday. Grandparents.com, Dec. 21.

What Prompts Elder Abuse? This Doctor Found Out: A new study looked into criminal case files to uncover common triggers. Next Avenue, Dec. 22.   
INSURANCE:
Long-Term Care Insurance Can Be Costly but Effective: Policies grow more costly the longer you wait to buy or if you are in poor health. Hybrid policies combine coverage with annuities and life insurance. The New York Times, Dec. 25.

How a High-Deductible Health Plan can Boost your Retirement Savings: One underutilized benefit that shrewd retirement planners should consider is the high-deductible health plan, which not only provides considerable cost benefits but is also a worthwhile retirement tool. MarketWatch, Dec. 23. 
CAREGIVING:
America Cares, and It's Draining: Millions of family caregivers are looking for relief but Washington is largely silent, US News and World Report, Dec. 24.

Helping an Aging Parent With Their Finances: Millions of adult children today serve as financial helpers to their elderly or ill parents or other loved ones. The Huffington Post, Dec. 21. 
END OF LIFE:
Why More Americans are Considering 'Green' Funerals: Interest in environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional funeral and burial practices, services and products is booming, death-care industry groups and companies say, as aging Americans increasingly consider them. MarketWatch, Dec. 26. 
EXTRA:
The Wisdom of the Aged: For six New Yorkers age 85 and older, whose lives were followed throughout the year, old age is a mixture of happiness and sadness, with less time wasted on anger and worry. The New York Times, Dec. 25.
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