Do Pets Assist us in retirement?

Wow! It has been a long day! Helped mom with errands ! The cool floor feels good. Hope she wants to rest. Have brought her the ball a lot today. Mom loves to play with my toys!


I live in a neighborhood where there are quite a few retirees including me.  More and more of these forever young people are out at 6:30 am walking a dog.  I now must time or schedule my walks with my dog, Rusty to avoid a dog traffic jam.  What a great thing to have a reason to get out and walk in  rain or shine.  A pet provides a living thing to  talk to, feed, and comfort.  I know there are studies that support the benefit of pets and I usually cite sources.  Today I decided not to.  I will say from experience that I have a purpose because of my pet.  I eat regularly and exercise because of my pet's schedule.  He even lets me know it is time for a regular bedtime.  Some time ago I overheard one of my grown sons say to someone, "Mom got a dog and it changed her life!"
What is your experience?  Please share with us.  

Immigration Reform and the Fair Tax

Allowing Tax Restructure to Welcome Immigration Reform

This is a repost of a blog I published in January.  I felt it was a good time to repost.

I am a believer in working with what one has at the moment.  We now are on our way to immigration reform.  It appears that many are worried about the cost to the state and federal budgets in regards to healthcare and assistance to these new immigrants.  This could be a win-win situation if the changes were linked to Tax Reform.  Tax reform hopefully will be on an upcoming agenda for change.  It could be an incentive to welcome immigration reform.  The tax could be changed to a consumption tax that exempts essentials such as food and healthcare.  I am not referring to a value added tax or VAT such as exists in Europe which is in addition to the income tax.  I am referring to no income tax and other current taxes but a consumption tax only.  Everyone pays but essentials as mentioned above are exempt.  Those worrying about the cost of immigration reform would no longer have an argument.  The new immigrants would be paying for themselves.  There are several suggested plans circulating for consideration.  One is the Fair Tax (Amadeo, 2011).  I have included the reference below with pros and cons for that particular suggestion. Do review.  There are other formats of consumption taxes besides the Fair Tax. I do feel a consumption tax could solve the budgetary worries of the immigration reform better than a flat tax as some are suggesting for tax reform.  Why not solve two concerns with one movement?  What suggestions or leverage could be waged to tie these together?

 

Amdeo, K. (2011, November 30). Fair Tax. Retrieved January 5, 2015, from http://useconomy.about.com/od/fiscalpolicy/p/Fair_Tax.htm

 

Retiringprof: Arranging Medicare, Supplements and Extras.

Retiringprof: Arranging Medicare, Supplements and Extras.: It was a long winter as I prepared enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B.  That hurdle must be jumped before the pursuit of a supplement or f...

Arranging Medicare, Supplements and Extras.

It was a long winter as I prepared enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B.  That hurdle must be jumped before the pursuit of a supplement or for some an advantage plan can be complete.  Along with that search the Medicare Part D policy is chosen.

For Medicare A, B and D, be aware the Social Security Administration does look at the income from two years previous.  One may receive a letter that they will owe an extra premium for Part B if over certain income.  A trip to the Social Security office with proof one is either now retired and/or has a reduction in income usually will suffice for an adjustment.  The new letter voiding the need for the extra premium arrives in about 14 days.  Most employees at the local Social Security offices are quite helpful in assisting with filing for this adjustment.

Medicare Supplements are quite the same except for a slight variation in price.  There are several plans they most companies feature.  I went with a plan F.  I chose an insurance provider that had carried my employer based insurance.  They also offered a Part D plan that was basic and affordable. Part D is the prescription drug plan. Those on quite a few medicines should talk with their local pharmacy about a plan that covers their menu of medications.  There is a lot of variation in the coverage from company to company with Part D.

Extras comprises plans for dental and vision coverage.  I am not sure if that is cost effective but I took one.   I will make a  different decision in the October open enrollment period if I am spending more on this than I would pay for dental, eye exam and contact lenses.  Some of these plans also offer a gym membership.  I found the gyms were not in close proximity to my home and the gym I did go to is not on the list.
I do recommend getting the materials and reading carefully the items covered.  Compare your own lifestyle to what needs you may have.  An example would be extended travel. Some policies have better coverage for out of area health needs  than others if traveling is  something you plan to do .
Those interested in a Medicare Advantage plan should search several sources.  These plans are all inclusive with the above type coverage.  Many times there is little to no premium but the coverage can be more restrictive.  Another source might be better for that information.

More About a Consumption Tax and Immigration Reform

In my last post, I outlined how we could welcome immigration reform while reforming the tax structure as a buffer to the costs.  I also mentioned a consumption tax such as the Fair Tax.  The Fair Tax was introduced this past week with more supporters in the past (Reed, 2015).  Whether this is the consumption tax that we need or it could be revised, it is important that each of us explore this option.  One could refer to my previous blog post to a link outlining the pros and cons.  Many of you are probably worrying about the percentage of a consumption tax.  Keep in mind taxable items have a built in tax to cover corporate taxes which would go away.  A real consumption tax would rid corporations of most taxes so items would also cost less.  As a member of the middle class we cannot continue to carry everyone’s burden.  One thing that caught my interest was the recent suggestion that we fund free community college for two years for those eligible.  That is a great idea.  Why not fund our children and reduce aid to countries that are not our friends.  Then I thought about the cost to federal and state government.  Again that would fall to taxes on the middle class.  A consumption tax would involve all of us.  Please review the Fair Tax.  I will again include the link for the pros and cons on this blog entry as well.  Please ask questions and offer feedback.  This and all new ideas are a work in progress.

 

 

Amdeo, K. (2011, November 30). Fair Tax. Retrieved January 5, 2015, from http://useconomy.about.com/od/fiscalpolicy/p/Fair_Tax.htm

Reed, K. (2015, January 7). Political Notebook: Fair Tax Introduced With Record Support. Retrieved January 7, 2015, from http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2015/jan/07/political-notebook-fairtax-introduced-wit

Allowing Tax Restructure to Welcome Immigration Reform

Allowing Tax Restructure to Welcome Immigration Reform

I am a believer in working with what one has at the moment.  We now are on our way to immigration reform.  It appears that many are worried about the cost to the state and federal budgets in regards to healthcare and assistance to these new immigrants.  This could be a win-win situation if the changes were linked to Tax Reform.  Tax reform hopefully will be on an upcoming agenda for change.  It could be an incentive to welcome immigration reform.  The tax could be changed to a consumption tax that exempts essentials such as food and healthcare.  I am not referring to a value added tax or VAT such as exists in Europe which is in addition to the income tax.  I am referring to no income tax and other current taxes but a consumption tax only.  Everyone pays but essentials as mentioned above are exempt.  Those worrying about the cost of immigration reform would no longer have an argument.  The new immigrants would be paying for themselves.  There are several suggested plans circulating for consideration.  One is the Fair Tax (Amadeo, 2011).  I have included the reference below with pros and cons for that particular suggestion. Do review.  There are other formats of consumption taxes besides the Fair Tax. I do feel a consumption tax could solve the budgetary worries of the immigration reform better than a flat tax as some are suggesting for tax reform.  Why not solve two concerns with one movement?  What suggestions or leverage could be waged to tie these together?

 

Amdeo, K. (2011, November 30). Fair Tax. Retrieved January 5, 2015, from http://useconomy.about.com/od/fiscalpolicy/p/Fair_Tax.htm

 

 

Medicare Provider or a Concierge Doc

Finding a doctor that accepts medicare and finding out more!

After listening to a friend complain that her physician had retired and she was having trouble finding a physician that accepted Medicare, I decided to explore.  What I did find was a resource on the Medicare.gov site called "Physician Compare".  This is a useful tool and one can search for specialists or general practitioners.  I do think one may have to drive to the next town to find the specialist needed that accepts Medicare.  Sometimes the drive may be up to an hour.  This is similar to health care access a half century ago.  I grew up in a small town.  If a specialist was needed, one took a two and half hour trip to where a larger medical center was located.  That was in the late 1950's and 1960's.
I am hearing about physicians setting up boutique  or concierge practices after they leave practices where insurance and/or Medicare is accepted. An individual would pay a set fee and care would be provided through that practice.  I have heard  $2000-$3000 per year mentioned for these boutique services.  Most family physicians do not see their patients in the hospital now.  Patients are seen in hospital by physicians termed  "hospitalist".  The individual would need catastrophic or major medical insurance to cover hospital admissions.  This would mean if you have the money you may choose your care. 

If you are interested in reading more about the boutique or concierge medical practices, I found an article from late 2013 in the Wall Street Journal by Jen Wieczner that weighs the pros and cons.  The link is below. 

Wieczner, J. (2013).  "Pros and Cons of Concierge Medicine"  retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303471004579165470633112630