The last weeks of the year are a good time to clean up your financial life. A little attention now can boost your retirement savings, trim your future tax bill and set you up to start next year in better shape. Here are practical year-end actions to consider, especially if you are focused on retirement and taxes.   Max out retirement contributions Check how much you've contributed so far to your retirement plans. If your budget allows, consider increasing the amount for the r

Ah, the age-old conundrum: seniors vs. technology. It's a battle that's been raging for years, with the younger generation often serving as unwitting referees. But what happens when the go-to tech guru, aka the 14-year-old whiz kid, is nowhere to be found? Fear not, dear seniors! There's hope on the horizon.   As it turns out, the tech industry has been hard at work, crafting solutions to bridge the generational gap. Gone are the days of waiting for Junior to come home from s

December brings with it a chance to spend time with family and other loved ones, but the lead-up to the holidays and even the holidays themselves can also be a source of great stress for many people. Besides being busy at work at the end of the year, most people have to contend with Christmas parties, preparing for the holidays with their families, buying gifts, dealing with bad traffic -- and perhaps money problems. Some people are also lonely during the holidays.    If you

There are some special circumstances in which you can sign up late for Medicare without paying penalties. After the initial enrollment period, you  can sign up  for optional programs during  special enrollment periods . If you or your spouse continued working past your 65th birthday and had health insurance through your employer, you won’t have to pay a penalty for late enrollment in any of the Medicare programs. Beginning the month after you end your employment, or when your

Thanksgiving weekend brings a surge in Black Friday shopping scams, with criminals using fake discounts and deals to trick shoppers. Warning Signs & How to Stay Safe Fake Discounts Scammers promote massive fake deals on popular items to lure quick purchases. Impersonation Scams Fraudsters create lookalike websites of trusted brands like Amazon or Walmart. Phishing Emails Scammers send promotional emails containing malicious links disguised as holiday deals. Fake Order Confir

The  penalties  for not enrolling when you are first eligible for Medicare depend on the part of Medicare. Part A If you choose not to sign up for  Medicare Part A  when you become eligible, a penalty may be assessed. This penalty depends on why you chose not to sign up. If you simply chose not to sign up when you were first eligible, your monthly premium — if you have to pay one — will increase by  10%  for twice the number of years that you went without signing up. For exam

Medicare isn’t exactly mandatory, but it can be complicated to decline. Late enrollment  comes with  penalties, and some parts of the program are optional to add, like Medicare parts C and D. Medicare parts A and B are the foundation of Medicare, though, and to decline these comes with consequences. The  Social Security Administration (SSA)  oversees enrollment in the Medicare program and recommends signing up for Medicare when you are initially eligible, even if you don’t pl

If you’re thinking about deferring Medicare, discuss the pros and cons with your current insurer, union representative, or employer. It’s important to know how or if your current plan will work with Medicare, so you can choose the most comprehensive coverage possible. Some of the common reasons you may  choose to defer  Medicare enrollment include: You have a plan through an  employer  that you want to keep. You want to keep contributing to a  health savings account (HSA) . Y

You can opt out of Medicare, but you may lose your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. Additionally, if you initially decline Medicare coverage, you may be subject to a penalty if you decide to enroll later. Medicare is a public health insurance program designed for individuals age 65 and over and people with disabilities. The program covers hospitalization and other medical costs at free or reduced rates. The hospitalization portion, Medicare Part A, usual

Article from MEDICARE.GOV Medicare fraud and abuse can happen anywhere. It’s important that you protect your Medicare card, number, and other personal information, and check your Medicare claims regularly. What are some examples of Medicare fraud? To help spot and prevent Medicare fraud and abuse: Compare the dates and services on your calendar with the Medicare statements you get to make sure you got each service listed and that all the details are correct. Protect your pers