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The ‘New’ Old Age? Not So Much.
A dilemma faced by many as we get older: is it time to accomplish things you haven’t accomplished yet, or time to reflect and just enjoy your remaining years. Although there are different points of view, an essay in the Wall Street Journal suggests that the latter choice might be better for some folks. The […]
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To Marry or Not to Marry: The Modern Family’s Million-Dollar Question
The face of the American family is changing. That’s especially true where marriage is concerned. In California, of course, we welcomed same-sex marriage last year with the landmark verdict in Hollingsworth v. Perry. But that’s not the only change taking place in the American landscape. http://gty.im/sb10066175a-006 According to the Pew Research Center, one in five […]
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Trio Of Signs That Seniors May Need More Care
Any number of things could be the cue to family and friends of older people to begin to realize the individuals are in need of help caring for themselves. A recent article on the website CareConversations.org, though, provides three very specific early signs that it’s time to take action. These are: Writing checks or withdrawing […]
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IRS Says Tax Refunds Could Be Delayed
For those of you who plan to file your 2014 tax return timely so that you can get your refund promptly, you should probably postpone your shopping spree. According to article by Stephen Ohlemacher of Associate Press, Congress again passed a tax bill this year just before shutting down for the holidays, extending more than […]
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Put Estate Planning on Your Holiday “To Do” List
You’ve got plenty to do this time of year. Buy presents. Get a turkey. Decorate the house. But there’s one more thing that you should add to the list – update your estate plan. Your estate plan needs to change as often as your life changes, says an article on savannahnow.com. Maybe there is a […]
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IRS Increases Estate Tax Exemption for 2015
The estate tax exemption for 2015 has jumped to $5.43 million per person, up from $5.34 million, due to an adjustment for inflation, the IRS has announced. For a married couple, the combined exemption increases to nearly $11 million, notes a story in the Wall Street Journal. The annual gift exclusion, however, will remain at […]
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Take Care With IRA Beneficiary Forms
Even though many people think so, retirement accounts are not included in wills. A story in Forbes points out that who gets the money invested in a retirement account such as an IRA depends on who is named on the account’s beneficiary form. Lots of people make mistakes when it comes to retirement accounts. They […]
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Dangers of Aging at Home
Seniors often say, practically without exception, that they wish to grow old in their own homes. But, as a recent Huffington Post article by Rachel Adelson points out, the elderly also need to ensure they don’t sentence themselves to isolation and loneliness by doing so. “Although folks want to stay in familiar surroundings to be […]
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Beware of Reverse Mortgage Pitfalls
Reverse mortgages seem like a good idea and it is in the right set of circumstances. They allow older homeowners to borrow against the value of their homes and the money doesn’t have to be paid back until they move or die. As a result, they have money to provide for themselves during their later […]
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Older and Wiser?
I often joke about the fact that wisdom usually comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone. This interesting article in the New York Times shares some interesting facts. What is wisdom? Some say it is staying positive and kind in the face of challenges and as such it is one of the most important […]
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