A quick introduction to this week's theme.
The thought of preparing for retirement isn't always a pleasant one. Not only is it sometimes difficult to fully empathize with our future selves, the financial stresses of our current day-to-day lives can make long-term saving hard or even impossible.
The difficulty of retirement saving is evident in the numbers: one-third of Americans have saved nothing at all. This means that programs such as Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid are going to play an even more critical role in the coming years. And that means it's vitally important that people know how to navigate them effectively.
This week, we're going to discuss the basics of programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. We'll talk about how to qualify for each of these programs and to ensure that you remain eligible.
We'll also talk about how to ensure you receive all of the benefits to which you're entitled. This means reviewing strategies for maximizing Social Security payments, including delaying your filing age. If you're not up to speed on all of the age-related dates and milestones of which you need to be cognizant, we'll offer you a comprehensive run down.
Given that retirement planning is often a family effort, this week we'll also discuss all the spousal benefits and protections of which you need to be aware. This includes pension and 401k spousal rights, IRA rights and the more complex Social Security spousal rights, which allow you to collect benefits based on a percentage of your spouse's earnings.
We'll also touch on other important retirement issues, including:
• How do I calculate my total Social Security payment?
• How do I increase my Social Security payment?
• Why Medicare might not cover everything you need -- and what to do about it.
• The differences between Medicare and Medicaid -- and why dual eligibility is key for many retirees.
Smart retirement planning requires more than just good saving practices. You also need to arm yourself with the information necessary to navigate complex retirement programs.
This week, we're going to equip you with that very information - and help get you ready for a long and happy retirement.
Get personalized debt and budget counseling by phone. Get personalized debt and budget counseling by phone.
(877) 311-2227
For over 80 years, we've provided quality financial solutions and world class service to our members, while delivering our social commitment in the communities we serve. We serve more than 54,000 members and over 700 employee groups.
