Money

  SSA.gov - Office Closings and Emergencies -Closures or Delays AffectingIn-Person Service From the link ~Due to widespread IT outages due to the global Microsoft and Crowdstrike issues, local Social Security offices are closed to the public today. Our phone line remains open and many online services at ssa.gov remain available. We appreciate your patience while we work to restore services as quickly as possible.For people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use TTY, our TTY line remains open - 800-325-0778.  

Dear Colleagues: When trying to determine the value of survivor benefits. SSA is telling us the survivor benefit amount is based on the deceased persons "basic" benefit calculated at full retirement age. AARP articles are saying the benefit amount is what the deceased person's benefit calculated at the date of death, including any delayed benefit increases. See AARP article May 1, 2024 by Tamara Holmes.https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/info-2024/benefits-couple-strategies.htmlThis article clearly says that "But “if they wait until 70 and earn those delayed retirement credits, that will increase the survivor’s benefit." Another article confirms the AARP analysis. https://articles.opensocialsecurity.com/survivor-benefit-calculation/It notes that if the deceased spouse dies before FRA, the survivor benefit is the primary insurance amount (PIA). Can anyone help us solve this? Will the survivor benefit be the PIA or the delayed benefit amount? Thanks!

 I have been periodically skimming(on strong market days)  from my ROTH and investing in T-Bills in order to have more (and less volatile )cash on hand for down the road. As they pay out interest, I put it my HYSA.  I am just wondering if there is any real downside to this strategy?

  AXIOS. 07/15/2024 - Change Healthcare cyberhack fallout ripples to consumersPay attention folks -  from the link ~The Change Healthcare cyberattack shook U.S. health care to its core for months and exposed major cyber vulnerabilities. But the likely ripple effects on individuals are only now becoming apparent.Why it matters: As many as 1 in 3 Americans may have had personal information compromised, some of which is purportedly being trafficked on the dark web — and is expected to enable identity theft, as well as tax, insurance and mortgage fraud.And experts say the people with the most at stake aren't aware they're at risk. .. . . . . Between the lines: The lack of details is compounding frustrations with Change's parent, UnitedHealth Group, which was harshly criticized in Congress for not having basic safeguards like multi-factor authentication in place, and is facing huge legal and financial ramifications.UnitedHealth recently revealed the compromised

Hello, I received a letter from a former employer concerning a data breach. The letter explained what happened, and what information was involved. The information that has been impacted was Social Security number, driver's license number, passport number, name, address, and other government issued identification numbers that were on file. The former employer is offering complementary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through IDX, a ZeroFox company. This protection will be available for 12 months after enrolling.My question is why they are only offering 12 months of protection, my information has been leaked because of their poor cyber security measures and I will have to deal with this issue for the rest of my life. What can we as victims do to make the companies that were involved in a cyber security incident be responsible for the life of the person affected by the breach?

When u buy new or used can do per monthly??

FROM ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!! Why You Shouldn’t Answer Calls From Unknown Numbers. Avoid scams — including the ‘say yes’ or ‘can you hear me’ scam – by ignoring unsolicited callers. By Matt Alderton, AARP. Published July 08, 2024. If you watched television in the early aughts, you probably remember the iconic commercials from Verizon Wireless where a roving cellphone spokesman offered up a simple yet sticky catchphrase: “Can you hear me now?” Some 20 years later, callers are still asking folks on the other end of the line if they can hear them. But now it’s often scammers doing the asking, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has warned consumers about so-called “can you hear me” scams — also known as “say yes” scams. https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2024/unknown-number-do-not-answer.html

Hello I live in Vallejo California and I spend half of my net income on my rent. I have a plied for numerous low income senior housing places and also for section 8, but I’m still waiting to get harder and harder. Does anyone have suggestions of organizations that will help with rent thank you LYNDA 

I received an AARP WEBLETTER that had an article regarding 12 supermarkets that offer senior citizens discounts. The contributor writing this article for AARP left out a major chain in their list, an omission that could cost AARP members hundreds of dollars a year.  I ask.... DOESN'T ANYONE EDIT, RESEARCH, OR REVIEW ARTICLES BEFORE DISTRIBUTION TO AARP MEMBERS? This contributor left out PUBLIX, a chain of grocery stores that covers EIGHT STATES, is in FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX CITIES, and has ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR stores. What an omission!!!!! Publix offers seniors a 5% discount on their groceries on Wednesdays. This is just one example of omissions, errors, and other miscues found in AARP articles on a regular basis.  

Organizations That Grant Wishes to Seniors and the Terminally Ill++++ The Dream Foundationhttps://www.dreamfoundation.org/Grants wishes to people 18 and older in the US who have a serious, life-limiting diagnosis. To be eligible, you must be referred by a medical professional.++++++++++++++ Wish of a Lifetimehttps://wishofalifetime.org/Grants life-changing wishes to older adults. You can nominate an older adult for a wish.++++++++++++++ Fill Your Bucket List Foundationhttps://www.fillyourbucketlistfoundation.org/Grants wishes to adults with cancer so they can make memories with loved ones.++++++++++++++ Stella's Wish Foundationhttps://www.stellaswish.org/Grants wishes to adults with life-threatening cancers across the US.++++++++++++++ Senior Wisheshttps://www.seniorwishes.org/Grants meaningful wishes to deserving seniors to honor their contributions and improve their quality of life.++++++++++++++

Suze Orman Advice on Social Securityhttps://www.suzeorman.com/blog/tag/social-security

My Mother receives Social Security SSI money. If she has or makes too much money, they will start restricting her benefits. I'm in a position where I need to utilize her bank account, and move about $2,000 dollars a month through her account. She's afraid they will see this money and think it is hers and start taking some of her money. Is there any form we can fill out, or anything we can do proactively to let the IRS or Social Security Administration know that this is my money and not hers? I don't want to negatively effect her income, but I'm unable to open my own bank account for the foreseeable future due to personal reasons. Thanks!

     I live in Thailand where my SS check is sent. In the past I was able to transfer online and also had an ATM card. Now the Thai banks are saying that the US govt has said that all recipients must go to the bank in person for all transactions. Supposedly because of fraud, but it is a pain in the butt. Is this true or not and if so, who can I complain to? Not that it will do any good, but it will make me feel better.

I currently have a ROTH IRA account with major Financial Institution A.  I opened and funded this ROTH IRA account in 1998, so I have satisfied the ROTH IRA 5-Year Rules concerning tax-free withdrawals of earnings.  I am thinking of moving this ROTH IRA account to major Financial Institution B.  Will the ROTH IRA 5-year rule clock start over at zero for the new ROTH IRA account?

  I inherited my husband's IRA retirement upon his death.  I am liable for Federal taxes if I transfer this to   my  IIRA retirement?  

 A bill was recently introduced in the House by Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn) called "You earned it You keep it". It would eliminate federal taxes from Social Security wages. A windfall for most retired people a great help in these trying times. What is AARP's stand on this not sure? What is your Representative's stand maybe time to ask? Time for the senior citizens voice to be heard. Why are all tax regulations aimed at businesses and the wealthy?  Seniors have been paying taxes for a long time. If you agree let's hear your opinion!Ray G

Instacart: The membership is $99 and you have to cancel within 3 months to get a full refund.  If you have Instacart, it will automatically renew unless you call their headquarters to cancel it. First of all there are some honest drivers doing your shopping, but the ones who are not can be the biggest pain and Instacart will do nothing to deter them.  Missing food from your order happens quiet a lot at Instacart.  Even though you need the item, you will have to order over $35 to get your item hopefully in the next order you make.  The only thing Instacart will do is remove that drive from ever doing your shopping in the future.  The second thing you can choose is not to tip them at the end of your order, BUT if you look closely at the bottom of your receipt Instacart already give them a tip from you.  I just found out you must call Instacart back immediately and have them remove the extra tip.   I'm on a low sodium diet and I

Note: If you don't read the entire post, take a look at the attached links to google drive that illustrates two scenarios. 1) $750K initial investment (now) in a fixed index annuity with an income rider providing a guaranteed minimum payment of $84369 starting in 7 years. 2) Investment of $750K now earning 5% interest annually and withdraws of $84369 starting in 7 years. Notice how #2 runs out by the time I am 83 (7 yrs shy of end of plan). I need to earn >6% in the #2 scenario to make it to the end. This is just an illustration using 25% of the portfolio for the annuity. Now read on for more detail. Appreciate any comments. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bFFmDIuY2Y7CKYJVf-H46rFNHR2EOIPe/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1yZiZrR60pw34rRDQJYRf6dZbNP-U1hgI/view?usp=sharing  Most of us are not fortunate enough nowadays for have a pension, and social security will not cover all of our expenses. Creating more guaranteed income (which a fixed index annuity c

5 Reasons to Retire in Florida … and 4 Reasons to Think Twice. Come for the sunshine, low taxes and endless golf, but be prepared for hurricanes, roof rats and tourist hordes. By Bob Niedt. Published November 28, 2023. https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2023/retiring-in-florida.html 

FROM ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE! Medicare and Social Security Are Critical to a Secure Retirement, Say Americans 50+. By Rebecca Perron, AARP Research & Teresa A. Keenan, AARP Research. Published May 06, 2024. The importance of Social Security and Medicare to Americans age 50-plus cannot be overstated, according to the first annual AARP survey that explores feelings about these programs.Key Findings Nearly all Americans age 50-plus say Social Security and Medicare are important for financial security in retirement, including 90% who say Social Security is very important and 84% who say Medicare is very important. Though they see these programs as important, Americans age 50-plus express skepticism over the future of Social Security and Medicare. Nearly 9 in 10 are worried that Social Security (87%) and Medicare (88%) will not be able to provide at least the same level of benefits in *** USE LINK AT BOTTOM OF THIS POST TO READ THIS ARTICLE ***

I  was fortunate to have a pension and took a lump sum after over 20 years. It was a contributory pension that allowed me to contribute 1.5% of my salary monthly for a higher pension.I'd like to calculate the performance as if it was an investment. I have each monthly investment amount, which is not consistent due to my salary changing. I also have the final lump sum amount. Is there a spreadsheet template that would allow me to put each individual amount (around 312) and the final amount to get a performance metric?

i have a long clean and accident free driving record since 1967.....last year thru the hartfod/aarp i was paying $669.00 a year...and my driving...i am now 74...is about 1-2 hours a week! so what would you think about car insurance?....well....the Hartford thinks i should pay $969.00 a year! A $330.00 INCREASE!!!!...i know most of us oldies do not drive as much as we did when were were all working...but...its obvious...THE HARTFORD is using the aarp /"partenership" to rape every old person in this country! remember the "big S.S.increase we all got 2 years ago...the hartford ceo needs that money for another mansion...yacht...or island......the solution is easy: drop the insurance and eat again!;;;;;;;;;;;;screw the law!!!;;;;;;;;;;;

  For those who would like to read it themselves -  straight from the horses’ mouth, so to speak.   2024 Social Security Trustee Report Summary   Sometimes other media outlets tend to emphasize somethings in the report rather than others -     So is the outlook really any better?  Not in my book -  personally with employment doing so well and with wages being way up - I was really expecting more as it relates to extending the SS programs of Retirement and Survivors (OASI).   Yes, the SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) seems to be doing better but remember we have OVER a million disability claims that are backlogged at the present time.https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/01/over-1-million-people-are-waiting-on-social-security-disability-claims.html    For those who are retired or are almost to that point:  (from the link) -   Based on our best estimates, this year's reports sh

Does anyone know if I am able to check on the status of my son's social security benefit payment. He lives with my ex-wife and neither of them will communicate with me. My son turned 18 in January of 2024, so does that mean his benefit has stopped automatically? I read about the ability to extend it if the child is enrolled in a school under grade 12, but he was home schooled his entire life. Am I able to check online somewhere if his benefit has stopped?

From what I have read, ever since the housing bubble burst, more people are renting instead of buying homes, causing rents to soar.  Investing in apartment buildings has become profitable, and the companies managing them are more interested in generating profits for their investors than they are in the welfare of their tenants.  However, the knowledge that I am in a crowded, leaking boat does not help me prevent it from sinking. When I moved into my one bedroom apartment fifteen years ago, I could afford it.  Now, I manage to pay my rent from the income I derive from Social Security and my part time job.  Each year, the rent increases get larger and more monthly fees for services I neither need nor use are added.  As a result, I've turned frugality into a near art form, trimming all the fat I can from my budget, but I recoil at cutting into its muscle and bone.  What awaits me when my lease expires in February 2020 deeply concerns me. My previous