New Medicare Changes Mean Surprising Savings
Category: Medicare
The Inflation Reduction Act will save Medicare recipients money
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Published on February 6, 2024
Comments 34
The Cheapest and the Most Expensive Towns in Florida
Category: Retirement Real Estate
February 8, 2023 -- Florida might not appeal to everyone, but it sure does attract more retirees than just about anywhere else in the USA. Its huge coastline, countless lakes, lack of a state income tax, and warm winter climate are magnets for overtaxed retirees with a hankering to get away for the winter (or all year round).
The cheapest and most expensive towns in Florida
For purposes of this article we used data from the National Association of Realtors®, which reports on 19 Florida markets. To generalize about Florida, the further one goes south, and the closer to the coast, the more expensive it gets. Naples and Miami hold an overwhelming lead when it comes to costly places for retirement real estate.
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Published on February 7, 2024
Comments 5
What Are the Best Social Security Spousal Claiming Strategies
Category: Social Security
February 11, 2024 -- The File and Suspend gambit is finished, and now the Restricted Benefit (Deemed Filing) is gone too. So what are the best Social Security Spousal Claiming Strategies that remain? Are any legal claiming approaches left that allow couples to maximize their Social Security benefits? The good news is there is still some room to maneuver.
Different situations. Every couple has a different set of circumstances. Perhaps one person has a much higher earning record than the other. The ages of the couple might be very far apart. They might have accrued very high retirement savings, or there is a sizable pension. On the other hand, they might have been forced into retirement early, and do not have much saved. All of these difference situations can mean different Social Security claiming strategies.
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Published on February 9, 2024
Comments 5
Best Places in Europe to Retire on a Budget
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
February 12, 2024 -- People looking to retire in a charming European town on a budget have many fine choices beyond the obvious destinations like France, Ireland, and Scotland. They can be terrific places to retire, but countries like Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Italy, and Bulgaria offer affordable rents, much lower cost of living, and sometimes liberal policies about permanent residency. They can also provide an ideal lifestyle for adventurous retirees.
Affordable, stable countries in Europe to retire on a budget
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Published on February 18, 2024
Comments 8
Which of the Big 3 Investment Management Firms is Best: Schwab, Vanguard, or Fidelity
Category: Financial and taxes in retirement
February 26, 2024 -- Choosing an investment firm to manage retirement savings and IRA and 401(k) investments is an important task, no matter how small those might be. But which of the big 3 investment firms is best - Schwab, Vanguard, or Fidelity? In this article we outline how to choose a firm that protects that money and provides the options to make it grow.
The good news is that all three of these big firms have great products, service, and reputations. Determining which firm is better for retirees—Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab—depends on various factors such as individual preferences, investment goals, financial situation, and the services each firm offers. Some people have accounts with more than one of these firms, and they often have an opinion as to which is better (we'd like to hear about your experiences).
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Published on February 25, 2024
Comments 6
The Best Tool for Exploring Florida
Category: Travel
Fwb. 27, 2024 -- Whether you are just visiting Florida or whether you live there full time, there is one great (free) tool you should have to make the most of your time there. It's the Florida Rambler, and you can sign up for ther Free newsletter here. Their website is also excellent, and free. They've got great articles on the most interesting places and festivals in Florida, plus the low down on beaches, where to hike, camp, kayak, bike, and just plain explore.
Some recent articles on their website include: Everglades day trip, Swamp Cabbage Festival, Hidden Clams Pass Park in Naples, Ravines Garden State Park in Palatka, 2024 Spring Training Guide, etc.
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Published on February 26, 2024
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