The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Power of attorney documents give one or more people the right to act as your agent when you're unavailable, incapacitated, or otherwise indisposed. Beyond more general types of POAs, specialized versions exist to address specific situations, such as real estate transactions or end-of-life care decisions. Depending on the power of attorney you choose to use, you can protect yourself financially, make business dealings more convenient, or ensure that your wishes are taken care of if you're...
Retirement will likely be the most significant expense of your lifetime, which means saving for retirement is a big job. This is especially true if you envision a retirement that is rich with experiences such as traveling through Europe or spending time with your grown children and grandkids. A retirement savings plan can help you achieve these financial goals and stay on track. There are all types of retirement plans to help you build your wealth, from 401(k) to Individual Retirement Accounts,...
As the American population ages, more families are turning to skilled nursing facilities to help look after their loved ones. Skilled nursing facilities, or SNFs, are staffed by trained medical professionals who care for people requiring nursing, medical, or rehabilitative services. Most people in SNFs have been discharged from the hospital but cannot safely return home, often due to an inability to move on their own or perform medical treatments. In addition to caring for older adults, SNFs can...
For many, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. The coronavirus pandemic also helped many realize that time could be fleeting. About 2.6 million more people than expected retired during the pandemic for various reasons, including health and safety and increases in asset value, according to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Still, deciding where to spend that precious time can be tough. Stacker compiled a list of the 50 best places to retire...
More than 800,000 adults in the U.S. reside in an assisted living facility, according to the American Health Care Association, but the number of facilities and average costs vary widely from state to state. This issue is becoming increasingly important among the aging population, which has been rapidly growing since 2010. To investigate what goes into the cost of assisted living, QMedic examined data from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey and the National Center for Assisted Living. People 65...
For nearly 90 years, Social Security’s programs and services have been a lifeline to people throughout the United States, including the Hispanic community. Our retirement, disability, and survivors benefits are just as important for Hispanics. Our Spanish-language website, Seguro Social at www.ssa.gov/espanol, provides information for those whose primary language is Spanish. People can learn – in their preferred language – how to get a new or replacement Social Security card, plan for retir...
As baby boomers age, the majority want to continue living independently in their homes, otherwise known as aging in place. About 78% of homeowners over the age of 60 prefer this option over moving into a senior or assisted-living facility, according to a 2024 survey from real estate company Redfin. Many Americans want to age in place to preserve a sense of independence, remain connected to existing communities, and avoid the high cost of long-term care. The median monthly cost of an...
However many reasons we have for loving our grandparents, scammers have a whole lot more. That's why fraudsters and hackers are increasingly relentless in targeting a demographic that is often trusting of financial institutions, perhaps too embarrassed to report a loss and at a disadvantage where digital technology is concerned. Seniors offer an easy jackpot for scammers, to the tune of $3 billion in losses annually. They are often homeowners, sitting on top of savings, and in good credit....
The United States is facing a caregiving crisis. As America's population ages and adults are staying active for longer, many are choosing to live in assisted-living facilities. Assisted-living facilities offer 24-hour care but are less hands-on than nursing homes. They can offer the best of both worlds for a generation that values independence. Still, low staffing levels are causing facilities to raise prices and, in some cases, close their doors entirely, exacerbating an already severe care gap...
The explosive growth in America's senior population reflects increased longevity and health. Driven by baby boomers who began hitting senior status in 2011, Census Bureau data showed the 65 and over demographic grew by nearly 40% from 2010 to 2020. That's compared to an overall population growth of just 7.4%, the most growth seniors have seen in a century. If the trend continues, Americans aged 65 and over will comprise 22% of the population by 2040. The average life expectancy for a 65-year-old...
Every July 4, we celebrate our nation’s independence. For nearly 90 years, our programs have helped create financial independence for millions of hardworking people. We have useful online resources like the Social Security Statement (Statement) and our benefits estimator tool that helps people not yet receiving benefits. The Statement shows the benefits that you and your family may be eligible for and provides personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation. The benefits e...
The American population is aging—and much-needed mental health care providers are in short supply. Earlier this year, the federal government rolled out new rules to help older Americans access more services and give health care professionals the flexibility to help those in their community with the greatest needs. But better health care access only works if the people poised to benefit understand the new rules. It's not unusual for Medicare patients to need to advocate for themselves in h...
As baby boomers age, the majority want to continue living independently in their homes, otherwise known as aging in place. About 78% of homeowners over the age of 60 prefer this option over moving into a senior or assisted-living facility, according to a 2024 survey from real estate company Redfin. Many Americans want to age in place to preserve a sense of independence, remain connected to existing communities, and avoid the high cost of long-term care. The median monthly cost of an...
SOCIAL SECURITY OMITS FOOD FROM IN-KIND SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE CALCULATIONS Supplement Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness. It also provides monthly payments to adults aged 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. People applying for and receiving SSI must meet eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits. Under our...
National Mobility Month was established by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA). National Mobility Awareness Month was created to recognize the power of mobility accessibility to enhance lives and improve health and care. Those with mobility-impacting disabilities or diagnoses still play large roles in our society as workers, caregivers, neighbors, family members, and as consumers within the community. Take the time to see the world from their perspective. What to us is...
We celebrate Financial Literacy Month (FLM) every April to promote financial education and well-being in the United States. FLM also serves as a reminder that Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. Our online tools are here to help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your financial future. You should periodically review your Social Security Statement (Statement) using your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Your...
Did you join us for Slam the Scam Day in March? If so, you know how important it is to raise awareness about government imposter scams. That’s why we want you to have all the information you need to protect yourself. Check out our top 5 scam awareness articles below: 1. We work with our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to protect you from scams that use Social Security as bait. In How We Protect You from Misleading Advertising and Communications, we detail what to do if you receive a s...
Do you know how to spot a government imposter scam? We continue to raise public awareness about Social Security-related and other government imposter scams during the fifth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 7, 2024. Knowing how to identify potential scammers will help safeguard your personal information. There are common elements to many scams. Scammers often take advantage of fears and threaten you with arrest or legal action. Scammers also pretend to be Social Security or other gov...
Fall-related injuries are common among senior citizens—but they don't have to be. Though an older adult visits an emergency facility in the U.S. every 11 seconds to be treated for these injuries, according to the National Council on Aging, there are tangible steps that can be taken to mitigate the risk of falling. In 2021, nearly 7 million people were injured from unintentional falls, about 2 in 5 (41%) of whom were 65 or older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Per th...
DO YOU NEED A NEW OR REPLACEMENT SOCIAL SECURITY CARD? WE’RE MAKING IT EASIER! By Kylle’ D. McKinney Alabama Social Security Public Affairs Specialist If you need a new or replacement Social Security card, we’ve got great news! You may be able to complete, or at least start, your application on our website – and, if necessary, use our online scheduling tool to book an appointment at a local office. Start your application Do you need to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) and card? You can...
Social Security programs touch the lives of more than 71 million people. We work hard to ensure critical benefits and other services are accessible to you. Consider the start of the new year as an opportunity for you to engage with Social Security online. This begins with creating your free and secure personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Once you create an account, you can: • Apply for retirement, spouses, or disability benefits. • Apply for Medicare. • Check your appli...
That’s the question we’re answering in the latest episode of our audio series, SSA Talks. Our Chief Actuary Steve Goss sheds light on our trust funds and how they relate to your future benefits. The 12-minute episode includes a fact sheet and transcript. The fact sheet provides more information about the trust funds and how much protection our benefits offer. We invite you to visit our SSA Talks page at www.ssa.gov/news/audio-series. html to listen and subscribe to receive alerts about fut...
AT HOME OR ON THE GO: SOCIAL SECURITY IS ONLINE When you retire, if you become disabled, or if someone you depend on dies— we are there when you need us. With your personal and secure my Social Security account, you can access your information, benefits, and important services from just about anywhere. Having a personal mySocial Security account allows you to: • Compare future benefit estimates for different dates or ages when you may want to begin receiving benefits. • Check the status of your...
HOW SSA.GOV HELPS YOU We’re excited to announce the addition of two helpful screening tools on SSA.gov! These tools are the Benefits Screener and the Card Replacement Screener. The Benefit Screener helps you determine your eligibility for benefits and the Card Replacement Screener helps you request a replacement Social Security card. Let’s go over how you can use these tools. Benefits Screener You can access the Benefits Screener tool at www.ssa.gov/prepare/check-eligibility-for-benefits to det...
ELDER ABUSE: COMBATING INJUSTICE: Elder abuse is the intentional mistreatment or harming of an older person. An older person is defined by the Social Security Act as someone over age 60. This abuse takes many forms – including physical, emotional, and sexual harm, neglect, and financial exploitation. More than 1 in 10 older adults experience some form of abuse each year. That number is likely much higher because elder abuse is often underreported– especially in underserved communities. Abu...
