Category: Active adult communities
June 12, 2023 -- Finding your best place to retire can be a challenge. There are 1000's of towns across the world, with way more than that 55+ or active adult communities, that might be a good fit for your retirement. True, you can trim down the list of possibilities by price and geography, but even then your list can be daunting. One of the best retirement tools ever is the so-called "Stay & Package", which we will explore here.
Also called "Discovery" packages, they typically involve lodging and include a number of bonuses, like free or discounted golf, use of a golf cart, use of amenities, meals, chance to meet residents, etc. The price is discounted from what the package would normally cost, and usually entail an orientation or sales pitch. They are a great way to experience a community going beyond a quick tour, and without having to rent or buy a home. Obviously a few days in a community will not uncover all of its quirks and advantages, but it does offer a tangible experience.
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Published on June 11, 2023
Comments 4
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
Updated June 10, 2023 -- These 13 great places to retire in the Pacific Northwest could convince anyone any that they make for the best places to retire. We happen to agree, and have many friends who are enjoying their retirement lifestyle in this growing region. For the purposes of this article we have a loose interpretation of that Pacific Northwest geography: including here the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana, along with Canada's British Columbia.
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Published on June 10, 2023
Comments 20
Category: Medicare
June 7, 2023 -- It has finally happened. For the first time, more people are enrolling in Medicare Advantage Plans than Original Medicare. The extra benefits and lower (sometimes zero) premiums are just too attractive. Not everyone is convinced, however.
In January 2023, half of the 30 million people with both Medicare Part A and Part B were enrolled in a private plan. The transition to private plans has been rapid - in 2008 only 19% were enrolled. Medicare Advantage's growth has happened because of a number of factors, including the attraction of the extra benefits they typically offer: vision, hearing, and dental services, and lower out-of-pocket spending. Medicare Advantage plans are more inclusive, as they do not need a separate Part D prescription drug plan or supplemental coverage.
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Published on June 7, 2023
Comments 23
Category: Downsizing
June 7, 2023 - Now in their 80s and 90s, our friends Jane and Jack knew that they were going to have to downsize from their 3 bedroom townhome. They both had health problems, and the stairs to the upstairs MBR was becoming a problem for Jack's knees. But, they had a LOT of stuff, which pretty much kept them frozen for years.
Jack had hundreds of tee shirts from tennis tournaments he had played in. Thousands of recordings -- in vinyl, CD, and cassette. Hundreds of books. Cases and cases of nice wine. And confidential records from his psychology testing practice. Every wall of the home was crowded with original artwork. Did we mention that Jane was a successful potter, with a basement full of beautiful pottery? It was hard to part with anything. Downsizing was not going to be easy.
Then the health problems got really serious. Both of them fell, and one or the other had a cancer scare and cardiac issue. They simply could not live there anymore. Fortunately, a nearby Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) accepted them.
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Published on June 6, 2023
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
May 31, 2023 — Condo boards in Florida are reeling from a one-two punch. Quotes for insurance renewals are literally through the roof, and that is if the condo association can get coverage at all. Year to year rate hikes of 50% are common. The Jade Winds condo complex in…
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Published on May 30, 2023
Comments 16
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
By Yolande - Topretirements Member
Editor's Note: Yolande was kind enough to share her impressions of this popular retirement destination in southern Utah. You will see she has concluded it is not for her, but she did share 30 positive reasons (see end of article) why others might like retiring here. We have condensed her comments due to space limitations.
May 23, 2023 -- As for St. George, this place sucks! I've never lived in a more BORING place in my entire life! If you're an outdoors person than it's great, but I'm not. I don't hike or bike. My beach cruiser is in storage because I don't live near any bike paths. It's not for people like me. I like the arts, opera, ballet, museum exhibits, concerts and guess what? None of that exists here. If that's your source of entertainment SG is not for you. Don't get me started on the lack of medical care and inability to find doctors. That's another nightmare story.
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Published on May 22, 2023
Comments 18
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
May 17, 2023 -- Pickleball is exploding in popularity among all groups, but especially with people of retirement age. Participation almost doubled in 1 year, going from 4.8 million players in 2021 to 8.9 million in 2022, according to the Sports & Industry Association.
With that amazing growth comes the accompanying challenge - where can you retire where it's easy to find pickleball playing companions, and get a court when you want to play? To help answer that question we have assembled a list of the best pickleball places to retire in the country.
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Published on May 16, 2023
Comments 5
Category: Social Security
May 9, 2023 — Topretirements.com just named a Republican Senator and a Democratic Congressman as 2023 National Legislators of the Year. Senator Bill Cassidy (R.LA) and Representative John Larson (D. CT) were selected for the honor in recognition of their bi-partisan efforts to forge a solution for the impending Social Security crisis.
According to the Social Security 2023 Trustees Report, its reserves will become depleted by 2033, with continuing contributions sufficient to pay only 77 percent of scheduled benefits. As they do every year, the Trustees Report urged legislative action to avoid a funding shortfall that will eventually hurt every working American’s retirement security. Check this out" "What Is Your Social Security IQ?"
Representative Larson has developed the most specific bill seen so far to fix Social Security. Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust, addresses 15 specific points to improve this popular benefit, and includes a strategy for shoring up its finances. Some of his ideas include making up for past COLA adjustments with a modest benefit bump, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision, and providing caregiver credits. His plan to bolster the Trust funds includes a payroll tax on wages over $400,000 per year (currently that stops at $160,200).
Senator Cassidy is co-leader of a Senate group that is trying to protect Social Security. A joint statement made earlier this year by that group said that they are considering dozens of ideas to protect Social Security. The group stresses that it’s important to look at all the components of a solution together, especially in the context of the crisis we face if nothing is done. There are dozens of considerations being weighed to protect Social Security, including locking early retirement at 62, an ironclad protection for lower-wage workers, and seeking avenues to increase benefits immediately.
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Published on May 9, 2023
Comments 8
Category: International Retirement
With Elizabeth Varadan
May 8, 2023 -- Special thanks to the expat writer Elizabeth Varadan for this fascinating interview about how she loves her retirement in Portugal. It sure makes it seem like Portugal is a great place to retire.
Q. Why and when did you decide to have your retirement in Portugal?
A. We vacationed for many years in Galicia, a region of Spain north of Portugal. On one visit, I decided to write a cozy mystery and set it in Portugal, since so many cozies abroad are set in France or Spain. A map showed that Braga was only about 2 to 3 hours away from Galicia, so I decided to set my story there. After an exploratory trip, we fell in love with Portugal, and after repeated trips and two books, we decided to retire there. In the midst of our research, I also stumbled upon casino zonder cruks beste uibetaling — a topic that caught my interest due to its connection to the growing gaming industry in Europe. We liked everything about Portugal: the art, museums, and events. People are welcoming and friendly. It’s very family-oriented. Parents take their kids everywhere, and you can see the mutual affection and closeness. The cost of living is reasonable, and it’s also a non-violent culture, which resonated with us, given the escalating gun violence in America.
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Published on May 8, 2023
Comments 11
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
May 2, 2023 -- May is National Stroke Awareness Month, so this is a good time to think about what you can do to prevent one from happening to you. After all, you have worked hard to get ready for the retirement you deserve, don't let a stroke rob you of your reward.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). It is the number 5 cause of death in the U.S. (#3 for women) and the leading cause of disability. The good news is that many strokes may be prevented through blood pressure control, a healthy diet, regular physical activity and smoking cessation. Each plays a big part in decreasing your risk for stroke, disability or even death.
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Published on May 1, 2023
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