Dick Van Dyke, age 86, Marries Makeup Artist

This proves you are never too old!

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dick Van Dyke is a very happy newlywed at age 86, his spokesman said Friday.

Van Dyke and makeup artist Arlene Silver, 40, were married last week in a small Leap Day ceremony at a Malibu chapel near the actor’s home, publicist Bob Palmer said.

“I’ve never seen him happier. She adds a lot to his life,” he said, adding that the couple has much in common, including a love of singing.

Lower Social Security Taxes Harm Everyone

Surveys tell us that congress has a favorable rating by about 9% of the population. That is significantly worse than the president’s rating that is about 45%. In spite of that the congress continues to behave as if they had public support.

The most recent outrageous decision was the vote by the Senate to extend the reduced Social Security tax for two months rather than the one year requested by the president. To add to this foolish political dance the House refuses to confirm the Senate’s regulation. The consequence is that there may not be an extension of the lower tax regulation.

The idea of reducing the Social Security tax is a bit of political nonsense. The law puts $20 a week more into the hands of those earning $50,000 per year. This is not a consequential tax reduction. It is enough to buy a half a tank of gasoline for most cars (not SUVs). The effect of the first year of this lower tax has been reported to be zero.

So why is the president pushing so hard for this lower rate? He will win the political argument no matter how the congress votes. If the law is not passed he will blame the Republicans and point out that they only favor tax cuts for the rich. If the law is passed he will point out that it was he who triumphantly won a tax cut for the average man despite the efforts of the Republicans to block fairness.

The worst part of this law is that it lowers tax collections needed to support the Social Security trust fund.

This entire tax battle is another example of politicians legislating short term benefits at the expense of long term financial needs of the nation.

Mitt Romney is Out of Touch with Working Americans

Let’s be clear about this situation. I know some people who really have no concept of living in a 1200 square foot home. Worse yet they have no idea what it is like to go without a meal. Mitt Romney is one of those people.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa—Mitt Romney opened himself up to criticism Friday by saying he didn’t understand Medicaid until he started working in government. The Republican presidential candidate later tried to clarify the comment, but Democrats had already pounced, saying his words were further proof that the multimillionaire businessman is out of touch.

“You wonder what Medicaid is, those that aren’t into all this government stuff. You know, I have to admit. I didn’t know all the differences between these things before I got into government,” Romney told voters at a campaign event. “Then I got into it and understood that Medicaid is the health care program for the poor, by and large.”

Medicaid is a federal-state health care program for the poor and disabled.

Romney tried later to clarify what he meant, telling reporters traveling with him to South Carolina that he understood the program but didn’t quite grasp how it was funded. He called his earlier comment a “self-deprecating understatement.”

Democrats said the comment showed Romney doesn’t understand working-class people.

“One has to wonder how Mitt Romney thinks he can represent American workers, their families and seniors when his concern for the poor and the middle class comes across like an afterthought,” Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said in a statement.

Romney, who was in his late 40s when he ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 1994, told reporters that his prior work for a health care consulting company taught him how important Medicaid and Medicare, a health care program for seniors, are to hospitals.

Social Security Is Looking Like a Ponzi Scheme

Is Rick Perry correct? Is Social Security a Ponzi scheme?

I pulled out the last statement that Social Security sends to each of us annually. It lists my annual contribution all the way back to the jobs I had in college. I listed all of those contributions in an Excel spreadsheet. Then I calculated the future value of each year’s contribution earning 3% compound interest.

The results were wonderful for me but not for the Social Security Administration. Based upon the results, my contributions along with interest earned, I will be withdrawing money I did not contribute ten years after my retirement.

This assumes I am alive ten years after I have retired. Given the fact that many seniors are now living into their eighties, and beyond, this is not an unrealistic projection.

We have a social problem. You see I could have worked longer than 67 but no one wants to hire senior citizens. Oh, I know, I should work at Walmart as a Greeter. Will we have to pass laws forbidding the layoff of senior citizens that can still do their job? Perhaps we will simply tell senior citizens the Social Security benefit is only for a maximum of ten years. If you live longer we will not provide you with any assistance.

Then again perhaps we could tax the very wealthy to keep the system going. I like George W. Bush’s private accounts idea.

Our national problem is that the politicians don’t like to deal with difficult problems. They want someone else to deal with the hard stuff.

AARP top 10 Affordable Cities for Retirement

First of all many of the places suggested are not cities. They qualify as towns.

AARP offers their list of the top 10 Affordable Cities for Retirement. They say that they looked at 350 cities across the country. They considered not only property and sales-tax rates, median housing price, and cost of living but also the tax rate on pensions and Social Security. Then they added in such criteria as recreation, climate, and arts and culture.

It is difficult for me to understand how they made these selections. After all as we get older we need access to health care that is limited in small towns. I have met people driving 60 to 100 miles into Los Angeles from smaller cities and towns because they do not have the needed medical care. In addition there are fewer opportunities for senior activities. Although it is expensive to own a home in San Diego they do have an abundance of museums. That is a common feature of most larger cities.

Their number 1 choice: Winchester, Virginia. This is a remote town 75 miles from Washington D.C. The winters are very cold when temperatures tend to be in the 30’s. As I research the town on September 1, 2011, the temperature is 70° and humidity is reported to be 88%. The population is just over 25,000 people. I remember my visit to rural Ruckersville, Virginia on business about eight years ago. I stopped in Culpeper for a cup of coffee at a McDonald’s. There were three people ahead of me and it took 15 minutes waiting in line. If you like slow and boring you will love rural Virginia. I was told slow down or Smokey will stop you.

Number 2 is Portland, Maine. USA Today says, “Winters are long in Portland, Maine, and it is essential to find things to do to avoid cabin fever.” With a metro population of 230000, the Greater Portland area is home to almost one quarter of Maine’s total population.

Gainesville, Georgia is Number 3. At 55 miles and a one hour driving time to the center of Atlanta, Georgia this town would be worth considering. It is an overwhelmingly White community so if that is a factor in your decision you may need to look elsewhere. The demographics are inviting.

Number 4 is Wenatchee, Washington is too far from Seattle at 148 miles and 2 ½ hours away. At just over 30,000 people it really is remote. The climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70’s and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 30’s.

Tulsa, Oklahoma at Number 5 is a city of almost 400,000 people will at least provide the services that seniors require.

Obviously I am oriented towards cities. They are just more interesting and provide the services that seniors need.

8 signs you’re flirting with financial ruin

I am totally sympathetic with the plight of financial distress. I have been there. The pain is ongoing and follows you day and night. This situation is particularly difficult if you are retired and living on a fixed income.

1. Paying late fees and juggling bills

A serious symptom of financial distress is juggling monthly bills by making payments big enough and frequently enough to keep services flowing, but never paying balances on time and in full.

2. Counting on a future windfall

Basing your plans for financial stability on a future payoff, such as an inheritance, a run-up in the value of your home or a big tax refund

3. Multiple credit card hocus-pocus

If your credit card debt is consistently rising and you’re unable to make more than the minimum payments, your balance will continue to rise.

4. Fighting with your partner over finances

Most couples have occasional fights about debt, but if you regularly fight with your spouse about money, it can be a sign there’s not enough disposable income to finance the family’s spending.

5. Regularly paying overdraft fees

If you’re constantly incurring fees for overdrawing your checking account, you could be on the brink of financial disaster.

6. You have a savings rate of zero

If you’re unable to set aside a small amount of money for savings in your budget, your finances are on unstable footing.

7. Covering expenses with retirement savings

Borrowing or withdrawing retirement funds from your 401(k) is a common thread in many of the cases of financial distress.

8. Treating your home like a piggy bank

Such moves are especially ominous if they’re not due to a serious financial need but to a desire for “wants” like a vacation or a new car.

Where to Retire?

What are the Best Cities for Seniors?

The Associated Press had an article posted yesterday titled “Aging America.” It brought up this continuously nagging question about retiring to another city or perhaps another city in another country that would be a better match than the place where you are now living. “Cities and suburbs were designed for younger people, full of stairs and cars, he explained. As they become increasingly difficult to navigate, older people gradually retreat.”

Let’s face it. Getting old is no fun. Besides the greater need for medical care we have grown accustomed to living the way we have lived most of our lives. For most of us familiarity with our surroundings is an important issue.

A real estate web site published this statement at the top of the topic: For seniors, family is the biggest reason to move

When Americans age 55 and older decide to relocate, most often it’s to be closer to family and friends.

Despite the knowledge that my own parents had difficulties re-locating to a retirement community I still feel the need to repeatedly re-confirm my decision to stay in the same home I have had for over 30 years.

Senior Journal offered the following information about the best places to live

For countries, International Living rates France #1 followed by Australia, Switzerland, Germany, New Zealand, Luxembourg and finally the US. Canada came in ninth place. Each January, they rank and rate 194 countries to come up with the list of the places that offer you the best quality of life. It isn’t about best value, necessarily. It’s about the places in the world where the living is, simply put, great. On this site you can subscribe to their free daily e-letter about the best places to consider retirement. I did and almost instantly, here is what they sent back: “There are still numerous countries around the world where unspoiled natural beauty, secluded beaches, friendly people, and a relaxed way of life are waiting for you. And you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy them. In sunny, relaxed destinations all around the world, you’ll find your dollars stretching much further than you might imagine.”

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s livability surveyreport said Vancouver, and Melbourne, “with low crime, little threat from instability or terrorism and a highly developed infrastructure,” are the two most livable cities in the world, having tied for first place. Australia’s other major cities (Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth) all claimed positions well inside the top ten – strengthening the idea that Australia is one of the most livable countries in the world. Other Canadian cities also ranked highly in the survey, which further suggests that this is the same of Canada. Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa and the aforementioned Vancouver all ranked within the top 25.

Following is a list of the top 10 most livable cities as ranked by The Economist: 1. Vancouver, Canada 2. Vienna, Austria 3. Melbourne, Australia 4. Toronto, Canada 5. Calgary, Canada 6. Helsinki, Finland 7. Sydney, Australia 8. Perth, Australia 9. Adelaide, Australia 10. Auckland, New Zealand. Looks like a good idea to “consider down under” for a great place to retire, doesn’t it?

A Bankers Life and Casualty sponsored study on the best place to live, conducted in 2005 is still being quoted as one of the best resources.

A panel of experts on gerontology and senior issues identified the qualities for optimal senior living. Major categories were: health, disease, economics, social, environment, spiritual, transportation, housing, and crime. Each category was statistically weighted to reflect the needs of the senior population.

Categories evaluated

The Health category included criteria such as physician to senior ratio, gerontologist to senior ratio, hospitals per capita, and availability of adult day care, assisted living facilities, continuing care (CCRC) facilities, independent living facilities, nursing homes, and senior meals.

Housing included cost of living, median home price, property taxes and monthly apartment rent.

Transportation included public transportation, special access transportation, and commuting times.

Social included the percentage of seniors, entertainment, the arts, museums, education, recreation, colleges, and libraries.
Crime included violent crime and property crime.
Environment included sunny days, clean air, clean water, natural disaster risk, ocean coastline, rivers and lakes, and national parks.

Economy included consumer prices, sales taxes, unemployment rate, and recent job growth.

Disease included life expectancy, age 85 expectancy, depression rate, heart disease, and cancer rates.

Spiritual included percent of population belonging to organized religions and the number of religious congregations.

Bankers’ Best Cities for Seniors 2005 American Financial Resources is offering the same list in 2011.
1. Portland, Ore.
2. Seattle , Wash.
3. San Francisco , Cal.
4. Pittsburgh, Penn
5. Milwaukee , Wis.
6. Philadelphia , Penn.
7. New York , N.Y.
8. Boston , Mass.
9. Cincinnati , Ohio
10. Chicago , Ill.
17. Los Angeles , Cal.
34. San Diego, Cal.
35. Phoenix, Az.
41. Las Vegas, Nev.
42. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
47. Orange County, Cal.

This is an interesting list considering that Scottsdale, Arizona and Mesa, Arizona (two suburbs of Phoenix) have very large senior populations as do many communities throughout Florida. My parents lived in Laguna Woods, CA (formerly known as Leisure World) where the senior population is 18,000 people and has drawn many other seniors into adjoining communities.

Despite the desire of the National Home Builders to promote moving to retirement communities their own study found the following data:
• The majority of 55 and older households do not live in age-restrictive or age-qualified communities, but the number is going up. In 2007, 3% of those 55 and older said they lived in age-restricted communities designed for active adults; that’s up from 2.2% in 2001.
• Most consumers of this age were happy with their current homes, but residents of age-restricted active-adult communities had the highest satisfaction rates.
• Of baby boomers close to 65 years old, the traditional retirement age, many say they aren’t planning on retiring just yet. If they move, they want to end up in a community that would be closer to work or one that would allow them to transition into a work-from-home setup.

Toronto, Vancouver, and Boston were all interesting to visit and we might return for fun and entertainment but we seem to be happy with the San Fernando Valley. Maybe it was the song!

Medicare Cost Rise means No Social Security COLA

This summary from an AP report means that every senior relying on Social Security as their primary income source will have to continue looking for new ways to reduce their spending.

Millions of retired and disabled people in the United States had better brace for another year with no increase in Social Security payments.

The government is projecting a slight cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits next year, the first increase since 2009. But for most beneficiaries, rising Medicare premiums threaten to wipe out any increase in payments, leaving them without a raise for a third straight year.

Older people might feel they are falling behind because they haven’t had a raise since 2009, but many are benefiting, said Andrew Biggs, a former deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration who is now a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

Consumer prices dropped, but Social Security benefits didn’t drop, Biggs said. At the same time, health care costs went up, but Part B premiums stayed the same for most beneficiaries.

They are better off because of that,” Biggs said. “Somebody else is paying for a greater share of their health care. This will get me hate mail, obviously. But it is what it is.”

Next year, the trustees who oversee the Social Security project a 1.2 percent COLA. President Barack Obama, in his spending proposal for the budget year that begins Oct. 1, projects a COLA of 0.9 percent. The average monthly payment is $1,077, so either way, the typical increase is projected to be between $10 and $13.