Money

We have been having problems with medical billing.  It must be some sort of 'corporation' that medical facilities or doctors can join to handle their payments.  The address is PO Box 14000, Belfast ME.  Primary Providers of Central Kentucky do their billing there, as well as a local Physicial Specialist.  We paid a bill in April through Truist Bank.  They wrote a check and it was mailed April 12th 2022.  The check was never processed and we started getting calls about the bill.  After calling the bank they said stop payment and pay with debit card.  Payment was processed again on May 3, 2022.  Have called two different 844 numbers and mailed proof of payment to two different e-mails.  In the meantime got another call about the bill, returned the call and they said it is cleared.  This involves sending bank statements.  Which I tried to black out the account number before I sent it.  But since then I have had to see a spec

FROM THE ARTICLE. Conceived when the labor force was overwhelmingly male, the program has evolved over 90 years to serve working women, wives and widows. By Martha C. White, AARP. Published July 21, 2025. Nine decades after being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Social Security has cemented its role as a pillar of retirement security, evolving from a Depression-era program focused on individual — and overwhelmingly male — workers to one designed to provide a financial backstop for families.This evolution reflects a shift in culture as much as bureaucracy. As the nation’s population and workforce became larger and more diverse, Social Security benefits became broader and more inclusive. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/social-security/women-and-ssa-benefits/

Something we all need to read and understand: "To amend title XVIII to reform the Medicare Advantage program." 

NO matter what age we are, handling our finances can be a challenge at times!!! [1] Do you have a budget? If yes, lol - do you stick to it? [2] What has/is helping you to keep your head above water each year? Hope to hear from you!!! Thanks,Nicole  🤑  (Budget & Savings Forum)

With all the recent changes to government programs like social security, I thought maybe it was time to start my social security form since I am eligible for max in 5 months.  I attempted to do what I could online only to hit a block when the site decided I was invalid.  So I made an appointment to speak to a human in person today and was told it was not working because I was applying too early.  It is a four month window so I was told to apply in August for a December start (first payment January).  Furthermore I was told that even if you apply 4 months ahead your application will sit until it is closer to that magic month.  And yet nowhere on this SS site did it suggest that the reason I could not get started was because I was applying too early.  Any ideas on this?

FROM THE ARTICLE: How Social Security and Medicare Transformed Aging in America.Two lifelines for older adults reach important milestones in 2025. By T.R. Reid, AARP. Published April 30, 2025. After a long career as an office manager in St. Louis, Debbie Haupt retired at age 60 so she could provide full-time care for her ailing husband. “I had been planning to work at least until 68, maybe 70,” she says, “but Parkinson’s had other ideas.”There was a problem, though: The Haupts hadn’t built up much of a retirement fund. “My 401(k) was tiny,” she laughs. “If I had eaten nothing but dog food, it would have lasted less than three years." USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/social-security/social-security-medicare-changed-aging/

My wife and I both work, I get medical coverage through my wife since she works for the government. This year in May I turn 65 but will still be working (as well as my wife). I am told that I can get Medicare Part A for free. Is that the case and are there benefits and or downsides to getting Medicare Part A with all this in mind? RT

FROM THE ARTICLE. AARP’s ‘Fraud Wars’ Episode 1: Judith Boivin Had $600,000 Stolen in an FBI Impostor Scam.She learned the hard way that no one is immune to today’s fraud criminals. By Ken Budd, AARP. Published July 11, 2025. By the time the scammers posing as law enforcement called Judith Boivin’s cellphone, they had researched their target well. They knew she’d worked as a registered nurse and a clinical social worker before becoming a licensed therapist. They knew she had worked in Belize to help children with HIV and had lived for three years in Mexico while she helped a priest establish a mission.“I’ve been a caregiver all my life in various forms and shapes,” says Boivin, 81, who lives in Rockville, Maryland. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-wars-fbi-impostor.html

FROM THE ARTICLE. 6 Hidden Costs of Moving in Retirement.Switching states for cheaper housing or lower taxes? Watch out for expenses that can eat into those savings. By Sharon Wu, AARP. Published July 09, 2025. You've spent years mapping out your ideal retirement relocation, envisioning life in a warmer climate, a coastal town or closer to family. Housing costs in your target destination look manageable, the lifestyle seems right and your move feels financially sound.But hidden expenses can turn a dream move into a nightmare. “People forget that costs like insurance, utilities and taxes vary widely and may offset savings” from cheaper housing or consumer goods, says Tyler Abney, a managing partner at Tidemark Financial Partners in San Diego. Those ongoing costs can strain your savings. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/retirement/hidden-costs-of-moving/

What rights does the members of a Home Owners Association have when the board members and management company violate HOA by-laws and state codes?

My sister passed away suddenly last August and her July benefit was deposited in her bank account a few days after she died. I knew Social Security would reverse the payment, which they did.  As soon as I had court documents naming me administrator of her estate I filed Form 1724 and sent Social Security the Form and all related legal documents (death certificate, court ordered letter of administration, proof of deposit and deposit reversal, etc.).  Social Security received the Form 1724 and legal documentation the first week of January 2025. Today is June 3, 2025 and the estate still hasn't received payment. I've called both the national Social Security customer service line and our local Social Security office and I'm told they have everything they need but the claim is still being "processed."  One rep blamed DOGE and said any claims related to a decedent are being scrutinized and delayed. I can't close the estate until I get this payment and don't know what more

 I have had two separate individuals use my home address fraudently as their own.  I believe they are doing this to claim residency.  I have received bank statements and insurance statements for them.  Neither has ever lived here (past or present). These are their names. Jose Rodriguez Jacques Skriletz I have reported this fraud to the United States Postal Service, FBI, and ReportFraud.Gov. if you experience something similar, you should do the same.  Having mail with an address if the first step in establishing residency.  Consequences of this to the rightful owner can be severe.  Please be aware!

I will be eligible to collect in March of next year. If I apply for benefits in December, when will I be able to get a benefit verification letter? Would it likely not be available until the end of March (just before the initial disbursement) or would it show up online earlier than that?

We just started Medicare and received an IRMAA penalty for 2023 when my wife was still working full time. She is now retired. Somewhere I was told that I can file form SSA-44 and get the penalty reduced since we no longer have that income. Is that correct?  

Come 2033, we may all have a chance to find out - That’s what the 2025 Social Security Trustee Report is telling us - and it has been telling us this for the last 15+ years even though the date wobbles a few years from 2032 - 2035 between the annual reports.SSA.gov - 2025 Social Security Trustee Report Summary  from the link ~ Based on our best estimates, this year's reports show that:• The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033, unchanged from last year’s report. At that time, the fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 77 percent of total scheduled benefits And the Conclusion is always the same (again from the link )Lawmakers have many options for changes that would reduce or eliminate the long-term financing shortfalls. Taking action sooner rather than later will allow consideration of a broader range of solutions and provide more time

I've been hearing about a social security monthly limit for a couple and wondered if there were any truth to this.  My husband and I will both will be waiting until FRA to collect at 67 in 2028.  My SS will start in Jan and will be $2400 and his will start in Oct at $3695.  Together we feel pretty comfortable with this amount but is there a limit on how much a "family" can receive?  I have checked the SS site and find no answers to this.  Thank you in advance! 

If I change my bank account for direct deposit, when will it happen? 

SSA.gov - A Summary of the 2025 Social Security Trustee Report  You can read the linked report, it isn’t long - this is the summary only. Just some highlights:Based on our best estimates, this year's reports show that: • The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033, unchanged from last year’s report. At that time, the fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 77 percent of total scheduled benefits. • The Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund is projected to be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits through at least 2099, the last year of this report’s projection period. Last year’s report projected that the DI Trust Fund would be able to pay scheduled benefits through at least 2098, the last year of that report’s projection period. • If the OASI Trust Fund and the DI Trust Fund projections were combined, the resulti

https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.action provides two options for creating an account: Login.gov and ID.me. Are there any pros or cons for each one? For example, has the government said anything about phasing out one? I don't want to run the gauntlet of creating an account and then have the SSA or other federal agencies discontinue using it. Thanks!

I read in your monthly magazines regarding this Telikin Computer made specially for seniors and easy to use even if had no tech experience.  I called and he gentlemen told me it was better than any computer on the market that would cost you over $2,000.  He painted a picture of how easy it was to use and you had all the help you needed so you were able to do everything on this computer.  I bought this computer which coat me over $1000+ in Nov. 2021.  What happened when the computer got her I had to leave for Iowa to my daughter's and I did not get to set up this computer until May 2022.  This computer is the worse thing I have ever gotten.  There is no easy way of using it unless you are an expert tech.  To this date I have not been able to use the video chat because the salesman forgot to tell me the people have to have the Telikin Web site and it does not work on phones, people have to have a computer in order for this to work.  Mostly none of

The government promise of an additional $4K of deduction for seniors at tax time does not go far enough to deal with SS and taxes.  In 1983 when they started taxing SS income, only 10% of people receiving SS paid taxes, today is it over 50%.  This is because the income level for taxing of 25K-35K has not changed since 1983. (25K in 1983 is about 80K in 2025 according to a website calculator).  So they regularly increase the amount for people paying the SS tax but they never adjust this income level for paying taxes. So either the government is very poor at math, or they are ripping off the seniors. They need to adjust this 25K-35K threshold and then push up the taxable income limit.  Someone in Congress suggested using a donut hole approach and leaving the current approx 176K max in place and then starting the tax up again for incomes over 400K.  This would save SS.  I would hope that AARP would stand up to Congress and tell them that seniors deserve

Originally was lured in by AARP recommending Consumer Cellular. Hope they got a piece of the action! Was having significant problems with consumer Cellular's voicemail or receiving alerts. Had to change service. Thought I received my last $115 bill but when calling customer service they told me I'll receive another one for the same amount? It will be debated with my charge card company as these people are cheats and AARP should have nothing to do with them! Neither should you

 US Bank --I signed up for a no fee senior acct?? They switched me to a $14.95 month acct --I was unable to monitor acct  -- When I noticed they won't refund past fees-- Stay away from them  Mark Olson   

Discussion was created on May 18, 2021.With retirement, some of us now have time to think, explore, change and so on.Any aha moments to share with us?Stop by to read the comments and/or add a comment.We luv hearing from you!

 Hello,Not retired yet and a ways off, but we're looking at NE TN in the Tri-cities vs the west side of VA from the South to North and in either state as long as it's country and less people per square mile where it's not as hot either. We will have SS, 401K and pension income that will need to stretch and last. Will need to pay for healthcare and hopefully be in good health in retirement years. Comparing where we live now in NC, where too many people have moved to it's not as retirement friendly where homes and taxes keep climbing along with insurance. Although healthcare and modern conveniences are around the corner we need to visit them at certain times because there are just too many stoplights and people, which now that it takes us longer if you go when everyone else is out and about.  With that said where do you go to pick apart and really dissect which place is better to retire? It seems many websites are out of date and cannot be updated on the fly because it say