February 22, 2016

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

magazine publications, news organizations and web resources nationwide.

IN THIS ISSUE

Health

Medicare

Money

Taxes

Politics

Retirement

Social Security

Scams

Housing

Caregiving

Working

End of Life

Extra

HEALTH:

Inflammation: What Is It and Why Is It Dangerous? Learn how inflammation invades your body, how it causes disease, and how you can fight against it. Grandparents.com, Feb. 19.

Social Groups May Lengthen Retirees' Lives: Staying socially active by joining book clubs or church groups may add years to your life after retirement. HealthDay, Feb. 16.

Do You Really Need to Get an Annual Checkup? Physicians disagree on the need for one when you're not sick. Next Avenue, Feb. 16.

Which Older Americans See the Doctor Most? A new report shows geographic variation on this and other measures. Next Avenue, Feb. 18.

Women's Heart Attacks are Different, Deadlier: Heart

disease deaths have been on the decline nationwide, but women still die from heart disease in greater numbers than men do. USA Today, Feb. 14.

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MEDICARE:
3 Medicare Misunderstandings That Could Cost You: It's worth learning more about Medicare and perhaps even consulting a professional for guidance about it, as some savvy strategizing can save you money, get you better coverage, or both. The Motley Fool, Feb. 19.

MONEY:

Assess Your Retirement Plan as the Markets Roil: Review your portfolio, adjust your withdrawal strategy and look for tax-saving opportunities to turn market lemons into lemonade. Kiplinger's Retirement Report, March 2016.

7 Worst Mistakes Investors Nearing Retirement Can Make: Is this the end of a seven-year bull market or the beginning of a prolonged bear market, or something in between? Truth is, nobody knows for sure. Kiplinger, Feb. 2016.

No Retirement Plan at Work? Use This: Four out of 10 people, or more than 30M full-time private-sector workers, do not have access to a retirement plan at work. CNBC, Feb. 17.

How Working an Extra Year Improves Your Retirement Finances: Delaying retirement for one year can boost your monthly income. US News and World Report, Feb. 16.

Financial Guidance for Widows Struggling Through Grief's Fog: Caution should be the first rule, experts advise, followed by piecing together the financial picture. The New York Times, Feb. 19.

TAXES:

Well-Kept Secret for U.S. Taxpayers: The Saver's Credit: It sounds too good to be true: some workers can get a double tax benefit by saving for retirement. But the federal Saver's Credit does just that. Reuters, Feb. 18.

7 Retirement Tax Breaks Threatened by President Obama's Final Budget: Budget proposals that are initially dismissed often find their way into law later on. Take advantage of these breaks while they last. Kiplinger, Feb. 2016.

Don't Forget Medical Tax Deductions: Before

you file, get the lowdown on healthcare-related tax breaks that can save you big bucks. Consumer Reports, Feb. 16.

POLITICS:
What Older Voters Care About Now: A survey reveals concerns for themselves and younger generations. Next Avenue, Feb. 16.

RETIREMENT:
What to Consider When Choosing a Retirement Location: Remember that what seems great for you and your spouse when you are planning during your 50's and 60's may very well not work at all later in your retirement years. MarketWatch, Feb. 17.

SOCIAL SECURITY:

Government Spells Out the New Social Security Rules: The clock is ticking down on two popular claiming strategies. If you still qualify, you may need to act fast. Kiplinger, Feb. 19.

5 Little-Known Facts about Social Security: Most Americans watch their money go into the Social Security trust fund in the form of payroll deductions as

soon as they begin working, when retirement seems a long way off. As a result, many go through their working lives without giving it much thought. Bankrate.com, Feb. 17.

Here's Why Your Social Security Benefits Didn't Go Up in 2016: And you thought low gas prices were a reason to celebrate. The Motley Fool, Feb. 18.

SCAMS:
Scammed You Once? Crooks Bet on Scamming You Again: Scam someone once and they feel plenty of shame, maybe so much that they hand over more money to the next round of con artists promising to help them get their money back. USA Today, Feb. 21.

HOUSING:

Five Questions to Ask Before Retiring to a 55+ Community: Deciding where to live in older age is one of the most complex and important retirement planning decisions. MarketWatch, Feb. 17.

Retirement Living: Renters are Outpacing Homeowners: Don't look now, but it's getting harder for older Americans to hold on to a key piece of the American dream. CNBC, Feb. 14.

10 Steps to Find the Right Nursing Home for Mom and Dad: You don't want your parents living just anyplace. US News and World Report, Feb. 19.

6 Signs of Nursing Home Neglect: Nursing home abuse is a serious issue at facilities across the country, with neglect being considered one of the most common forms of abuse. Next Avenue, Feb. 18.

CAREGIVING:
Caregivers: 4 Reasons Support Groups Will Be Your Lifeline: Don't shun the opportunity to learn from and bond with others in your shoes. US News and World Report, Feb. 19.

WORK:
The Best Cities for Retirement Jobs: Continuing to work past age 60 is increasingly popular and necessary. US News and World Report, Feb. 16.

END OF LIFE:
Choosing a Hospice Care Program: Hospice can be a wonderful option in the last months of life because it offers a variety of services, not only to those who are dying, but also to those left behind. The Huffington Post, Feb. 15.

EXTRA:
Fewer Retirees are Living Alone: Men are living longer, so women are less likely to become widows. US News and World Report, Feb. 19.

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