Senior Life
News & information for the seniors in our community

sponsored by Friendship Manor


Read this if you plan to retire soon 

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[January 17, 2011]  Planning to retire in early 2011?  It may already be time to apply. 

Applying for benefits is easier than you think.  Especially if you do it online at www.socialsecurity.gov.  The Social Security website makes the process easy and convenient. (Click here for the rest of the story)


Beware of Tax Refund Loans

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[January 17, 2011]  What Is a Tax Refund Loan?

A tax refund loan is an extremely short-term loan that you apply for through your tax preparer, using your anticipated tax return as security. Tax preparers prefer the term “instant tax refund” to describe these loans, but make no mistake: an “instant tax refund” is a LOAN, with all of the costs and fees associated with borrowing money—and then some. Also, you will NOT get your refund that much faster if you take out one of these expensive loans. They simply aren’t worth the price. (Click here for the rest of the story)

 


Keep Social Security in the loop to avoid improper payments

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[January 17, 2011]  If you are receiving Social Security disability benefit payments, it is important to notify us promptly — either in person, by phone, or by mail — whenever a change occurs that could affect your benefits. This is especially true when reporting other income. Errors occur when you fail to report certain types of income timely. If you do not report these amounts, you may have to repay a large part of your benefits. (Click here for the rest of the story)


 

 

40th anniversary: Learning that words have power

By Mike Fak

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[January 17, 2011]  Next week it will be my 40th anniversary of never officially being in the U.S. Army. You see I never said the oath that day, I had gone to the bathroom and when I came back into the room the sergeant told the hundreds of young pups shoved together that we were now all soldiers. I never did use that loophole to just walk away from the whole affair being lucky enough to catch a creampuff assignment. (Click here for the rest of the story)

 


Getting your Social Security income verification is easy

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[January 17, 2011]  There are a number of reasons you may need written verification of your Social Security benefit amount. You may need to provide it to an energy assistance program or for subsidized housing. (Click here for the rest of the story)

 


Six Tips to Avoid Getting Stuck
in Deep Credit Card Debt

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[January 17, 2011]  Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office offers these tips to help seniors avoid high credit card debt. (Click here for the rest of the story)


Do’s and don’ts of Medicare

 Part D
 

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[January 17, 2011]  DO shop around and compare the dozens of plans, offered by 16 different companies, to choose from in Illinois. Plans will cover different drugs, use different pharmacies, and have different premiums, deductibles, and co-payments. (Click here for the rest of the story)


Spousal benefits offer increased retirement options

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[January 17, 2011]  You may have more options than you know when it comes to Social Security benefits. Like many, you probably have given some thought to your own retirement plans. You know you can retire as early as age 62 and get reduced benefits. You know you can wait until your full retirement age and get full benefits.  You also may know you can defer collecting benefits and accrue delayed retirement credits up to age 70, which will boost your payment. (Click here for the rest of the story)


Social Security's 75th anniversary: an eventful year Send a link to a friend

[January 17, 2011]  Social Security is the nation’s most successful domestic program.  It’s easy to look back at what a difference it has made over the past 75 years.  And 2010, our diamond anniversary year, has been full of accomplishments. (Click here for the rest of the story)



 

 

Christmas 1958, A Sears Blunder Creates a Holiday Extravaganza    By Mike Fak

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[January 17, 2011]  Ten years old is a pretty good age to be. At least it was for me back in 1958. I had finally mastered my multiplication tables and could spell most normal words, so school was starting to be less trying, especially when I showed up for it (Click here for the rest of the story)


Seniors Urged To Apply Online for Illinois   Cares Rx

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[January 17, 2011]  SPRINGFIELD – December 20, 2010. Illinois Department on Aging Director Charles D. Johnson is reminding Illinois seniors about their Illinois Cares Rx coverage. He is urging seniors and persons with disabilities to apply online because it is the fastest way to get approved. Illinois Cares Rx is the state’s prescription drug assistance program that provides wrap-around prescription drug coverage to fill in the gaps created under Medicare Part D. People who have waited until the end of the year to apply will experience a break in coverage. Paper applications take longer, but people who apply online today through the end of the year can expect their coverage to resume in early February. (Click here for the rest of the story)


Your Social Security resolutions for 2011

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[December 20, 2010 It’s that time of year: out with the old and in with the new. You may be thinking about your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2011. There are many important things to consider. May we suggest a few? Each of these will take only a matter of minutes. (Click here for the rest of the story)

 

Take Steps to Stay Safe and Warm This Winter

[December 17, 2010 SPRINGFIELD – December 17, 2010. As the mercury dips, Illinois Department on Aging Director Charles D. Johnson reminds older persons they are at a higher risk to falling ill during these cold days. (Click here for the rest of story)


Lottery and Secret Shopper Scams Reported in Western IL.

One of our SMP Volunteers in western Illinois recently reported that a local police department issued a warning about lottery scams and secret shopper scams. The warning states that residents in western Illinois have been receiving letters telling them that they won various lottery amounts, containing fake checks that the recipients are told to deposit, then send money to another address for “documentation and taxes”. (Click here for the rest of the story)


Social Security can show you the way

Social Security’s homepage, www.socialsecurity.gov, has a new look! Our redesigned homepage now features a service channeling guide on the left side of the page, which lists the most sought-after services and information on the site. (Click here for rest of story)


Ill. A.G. protecting seniors from fraud

As the elderly population grows in Illinois and across our nation, protecting older citizens continues to be one of the most important responsibilities of the Attorney General’s office. (Click here for the rest of the story)



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