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The Aegon Center for Longevity and Retirement worked with Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies to release a survey about retirement outlooks for self-employed individuals. Their study base spanned 15 countries, including the United States. Over the years, self-employment has been a term linked mostly to professionals, some trade workers, and entrepreneurs. With so many advances in technology, many people are self-employed today with their own websites, online businesses

Millions of Medicare beneficiaries with standalone Part D prescription drug plans may see higher monthly premiums in 2027 after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it will end a temporary premium stabilization program a year earlier than planned. The program was created in 2024 to ease the transition to major changes in Medicare Part D under the Inflation Reduction Act. CMS has estimated that without the program, an average beneficiary enrolled in a standal

Medicare health benefits seem confusing to many people, so it is important to learn what is available and what to expect before you have to sign up. You have three months before you turn 65, the month you turn and three months after you are 65 to decide how extensive the Medicare benefits you would like to have. The options are: Original Medicare, which is fee-for-service coverage traditionally provided by the government; Supplemental insurance (also known as Medigap) that wo

For many retirees, one of the biggest changes after leaving the workforce is that the government eventually requires them to withdraw money from certain retirement accounts. These withdrawals, known as required minimum distributions, apply to most traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s. Missing an RMD deadline can trigger significant tax penalties, making it important to understand the rules and plan ahead. Under current law, individ

Medicare beneficiaries who receive certain physician-administered prescription drugs in hospitals could see significantly lower out-of-pocket costs under a new proposal from the Trump administration. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed changing how Medicare reimburses hospitals that participate in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, which aims to support hospitals and clinics that serve many low-income patients. Administration officials estimate

If you plan on taking a long trip, you should be aware of a vein disorder that is especially common among travelers over 50. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep leg vein. DVT is potentially fatal because a clot could travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. The condition usually occurs in the calf, and travelers are at increased risk of DVT during long plane or car rides. The main cause is sluggish blood flow due to long periods of inactiv

Many Americans spend years building a healthy balance in a Health Savings Account (HSA), taking advantage of one of the most tax-friendly savings vehicles available. But once Medicare enters the picture, a simple misunderstanding can create an unexpected tax headache. Under IRS rules, once you enroll in Medicare, you are no longer eligible to contribute to an HSA, which can be used to reimburse your out-of-pocket medical expenses. These accounts are usually administered by yo

Complaints about Medicare-related scam calls have increased sharply over the past year, with reports to the Better Business Bureau rising 40% and some seniors receiving 50 calls a day about improving their Medicare coverage. The callers often claim to represent Medicare regulators, a health insurer or a doctor's office. Some say your Medicare card is expiring, your coverage is about to be interrupted or you qualify for new benefits. Others offer free products, including medic

For many older Americans living on a fixed income, paying for health care can feel overwhelming. Even with Medicare coverage, premiums, deductibles, prescription drug costs, and copays can quickly add up. The good news is that several federal and state programs are available to help seniors and people with disabilities pay for Medicare-related expenses. Unfortunately, many people who qualify either do not know these programs exist or assume they do not qualify. Understanding

We love our dogs. In 2025, nearly 90 million dogs were living in U.S. households, meaning that nearly half of all households had one. Why do we let these furry four-legged friends into our lives? For most people, it's companionship as well as an excellent burglar alarm. But there are other advantages to having a dog, including many health benefits to you and your family, like: More exercise - When you own a dog, you should be taking it out for walks every day. And the benefi