Retirement Healthcare and Medicare
Retirement expert Bob Carlson’s research and knowledge on how to get the most out of healthcare options
Found 315 Articles.
Get access to our full article archive by subscribing to Retirement Watch and Retirement Watch Spotlight Series.
Evaluating the Long Term Care Insurance Decision
Most people don’t buy long-term care insurance, and they also aren’t prepared to pay for long-term care needs. In general, Americans also aren’t well-informed about either long-term care or insurance to cover it. Let’s debunk some myths and then take a rational look at the decision of whether or not to buy LTCI. What’s the […]
5 Medicare Myths
Americans, even those participating in Medicare, are remarkably uninformed and misinformed about the program. Most don’t realize that the program pays only about half the medical costs of the average beneficiary and doesn’t cover a range of care. The Washington Post tackles some of the myths about Medicare. I don’t agree with everything in this […]
When Employers Slash Retiree Medical Spending
Retirees and employees of Kodak are likely to receive bad news in the near future. The firm filed for bankruptcy reorganization, and as part of that process it’s likely to decide eliminate their plans for retiree health care expenses. Companies don’t need to file for bankruptcy protection to do that, and many firms routinely reduced […]
Reducing 2011 Taxes Reduces 2013 Medicare Premiums
Your 2011 income taxes can affect the level of your 2013 Medicare Part B and Part D premiums, even if you’re not currently a Medicare beneficiary. Higher-income beneficiaries pay higher premiums, with the premiums rising as income rises. Modified adjusted gross income of a Medicare Beneficiary from two years earlier determine their premiums. There are […]
SUBSCRIBE TO Lifetime Retirement Protection Program
Bob’s exclusive new service gives members the tools and knowledge to maximize their retirement finances for the rest of their lives. The Lifetime Retirement Protection Program includes all monthly issues of Bob’s Retirement Watch newsletter, all monthly video webinars in his Retirement Watch Spotlight service, every one of Bob’s premium reports and white papers (past and future), complete access to RetirementWatch.com, and 90 days’ membership in Eagle Financial’s DividendInvestor.com. Click here now to access all of Bob Carlson’s research.
Medical Costs Most Worrisome Part of Retirement
Baby Boomers looking at their retirement finances are most concerned about their ability to pay retirement medical expenses, according to a survey by the Insured Retirement Institute. Over two-thirds are concerned, and the younger the boomer the more concerned. Over 70% of those ages 50 to 54 are worried. They should be worried. The IRI […]
Who’s Eligible for Aid & Attendance
You meet the service requirements for Aid and Attendance when you served 90 days or more on active duty, with at least one day in wartime, and who were honorably discharged. Widows and widowers of such veterans also are eligible. You need not have served overseas or in combat. Anyone who was a member of […]
Little-Known Long-Term Care Benefit for Veterans
Update: In 2014 the Veterans Administration proposed new rules that would restrict significantly the number of veterans eligible for the Aid & Attendance benefits described in this post. Details of the proposed rules are described here. In 2006 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs quietly issued a media release about an “underused, special monthly pension benefit […]
Reducing Medicare Coverage
It’s no secret that everyone in Washington feels a need to reduce the cost of Medicare. What they disagree about is how to do it. The appointees of the administration, however, seem to agree on their preference. They want to reduce the care that is covered under the program. You’ve seen evidence over the last […]
