Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
January 18, 2023 -- Is Cape Cod a good place to retire? Yes, it is definitely one of the most popular places to retire on the East Coast. Almost a quarter of million people live year round on Cape Cod, and about a fourth of those are people over 65. A short visit will quickly show a multitude of reasons why this sandy hook on the Massachusett coast attracts so many retirees. It is a magical place - every time I go there it seems like the world slows down, gets sunnier, and is more peaceful.
My friend Jeff's retirement in Dennis, Mass. is a fairly typical story. He has known for a long time that Cape Cod is a good place to retire. His family had owned a cottage here for over 60 years, so when it came time to retire from his busy job, it was an easy decision to do an extensive renovation of their Cape Cod home in Dennis, and sell the main home near Springfield, MA. He and his wife could not be happier with the decision. They are a short walk to a sandy beach on the Bay, and can easily drive to freshwater ponds for refreshing swimming. Golf is terrific here, with courses like The Captains Table, Dennis Pines, Dennis Highlands, Cranberry Valley, and many others. Some courses are municipal, some public, and there are exclusive private golf clubs too. Fishing, boating, antiquing, are all popular activities on Cape Cod.
more...
Published on September 17, 2023
Comments 5
Category: Financial and taxes in retirement
September 12, 2023 -- Even if you are in your 30's you have probably started the countdown to retirement. Probably with a mix of dread (will I be ready?) and anticipation (can't wait to be free!). No matter what your current age, we've set up a retirement countdown in 10 year periods to help with that. The idea is that by doing the preparation in stages you will be building a solid base, one that will result in an effortless blast off when that retirement finally comes. In our experience the happiest retirees are the ones who planned for it.
R (Retirement) Minus 30.
With 30 or more years before retirement you are lucky to
more...
Published on September 12, 2023
Comments 3
Category: Medicare
Sept. 8, 2023 -- The number of people using Medicare has grown steadily as baby boomers become eligible. But defying predictions, spending per Medicare recipient has levelled off, which brings unexpected good news for U.S. taxpayers.
Speaking with the New York Times, Harvard professor David Cutler said: "WIthout a doubt, this is the most important thing that has happened to the U.S. budget in the last 20 years". According to an Upshot analysis, spending was $3.9 trillion less than expected between 2010 and 2020.
Many reasons for it
There is no shortage of possible reasons why Medicare spending is lower than predicted. Some of it comes from reductions in payments to providers from the Affordable Care Act and a 2011 congressional budget deal. Medicare Advantage plans are part of that.
more...
Published on September 8, 2023
Comments 6
Category: Home and Garden
Sept. 7, 2023 -- Driving is one of life's great necessities, and for many, one of its top pleasures. The feeling of freedom that comes with getting one's driver's license is hard to forget. At the other end, losing that license to old age or infirmity can be a crushing blow. Just about every American retiree has a car to attend to life's necessities, as well as to enjoy activities and travel. In this article we will make the case that, particularly for retired people, the next car should be some kind of electric vehicle.
Electric Vehicle (EV) sales are taking off in the U.S. and in many countries of the world. In 2021 EV sales represented 3% of all U.S. sales, but they are expected to hit 13% in 2023. The target in Norway is 100% of the market by 2025, and China and other European markets are not far behind. Car companies are frantically trying to come up with new models and improve the ones they have.
more...
Published on September 6, 2023
Comments 21
Category: Retirement Planning
Sept. 5, 2023 — By now many Topretirements.com Members and visitors are well into their retirement planning, if not already retired. The next generation is coming along now, Gen Xers, folks born between 1965 and 1980. The oldest of the those hit 58 this year, so they are definitely starting…
more...
Published on September 5, 2023
Comments 2
Category: Financial and taxes in retirement
August 31, 2023 -- One of the more common predicaments in the retirement world comes when an organization offers a retirement buyout package to a long standing employee. Many times Topretirements has been asked for advice on this topic, which usually came from someone whose employer is a government entity (state, university, local police department).
Honestly, it is a very tough decision to make, with a number of factors to consider. Ultimately each individual has to make their own decision based on that totality of factors, ideally mixed with input from professional advisors and family members.
more...
Published on August 30, 2023
Comments 7
Category: Medicare
August 29, 2023 -- Fulfilling a campaign promise to help save Medicare by controlling excessive drug prices, the HHS announced a list of 10 popular drugs that Medicare will negotiate the prices. The historic move marks the first time that the U.S. government has taken the steps so many other countries have done to control runaway price gouging by the pharmaceutical industry. The ability to negotiation was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. At least one survey shows drug negotiations are very popular with both Democrats and Republicans.
more...
Published on August 29, 2023
Comments 2
Category: Active adult communities
August 24, 2023 -- People in GenX might well be confused about their living options for their retirement. Should they be looking at a retirement, 55+, active adult, active resort, independent living, or assisted living community? At the stage where they are now, which type seems best for their retirement dream?
Not so long ago the choices were a lot more limited. One might stay in their own home until that was too difficult, and then move in with one of their adult children. Nursing homes took care of people who could not take care of themselves. Retirement homes (sometimes referred to as old folks homes) became more popular at some point. One could live there with other seniors and enjoy prepared meals and perhaps some chair based recreational activities.
more...
Published on August 23, 2023
Comments 0
Category: Retirement Planning
August 15, 2023 — We have been asked a lot of questions over the 16 years Topretirements has been around. Although our website has changed over time, the inquiries tend to be the same – how do I find things on the site, as well as questions related to the…
more...
Published on August 15, 2023
Comments 2
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
August 9, 2023 -- It's a question just about everyone thinks about as they reach retirement age, at least to themselves. What is my life expectancy - or, how much longer do I have on this planet as a living being? And, hopefully, will those will be good years, where I can enjoy life and not be a burden to others.
It is not just an idle question. There are plenty of practical considerations in knowing the answer to your life expectancy, or at least knowing the probabilities. For one, when should I take Social Security? If, for example, I know the odds say I will die before age 80 (and the same for my spouse or he/she is a higher earner), then the best bet is to take this benefit at the first opportunity, age 62. Waiting longer will cost me money I will never see.
more...
Published on August 9, 2023
Comments 2
