sponsored by Friendship Manor

---

You may benefit from new pre-existing condition insurance plan

[February 04, 2011]  Do you find it hard to obtain health insurance due to pre-existing conditions? You may be eligible for the new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan — a program for people who have a pre-existing medical condition and have been without health insurance coverage for at least six months. (Click here for the rest of the story)

---

Give yourself some credit-Social Security credit 

[February 04, 2011]  Sometimes people don’t give themselves enough credit. But if you work and pay Social Security taxes, you’re earning credit for yourself every payday -- credit that will pay off later in life when it comes time for retirement, or in the event that you become disabled and are unable to work; credit that can help your family if you die early and need to provide for those who depend on you. (Click here for the rest of the story)

---

Seniors shoulder a surprisingly large credit card debt burden

[February 04, 2011]  ARA) - Younger generations of Americans have long looked up to their elders as paragons of good financial common sense. The "Greatest Generation" managed to get through the country's toughest economic conditions with a dogged attitude about saving and minimal spending. So it's surprising to find out that many seniors are facing high levels of credit card debt. (Click here for the rest of the story)

---

Living with Rejection...by the Baseball Hall of Fame

By Mike Fak

My son has told me that although I am a real old timer, I am on occasion fairly interesting. I agree with Tim. Unfortunately sometimes the interesting things that I do or have happen to me aren't exactly beneficial. (Click here for the rest of the story)

---

Aging in place allows you to keep your heart at home

[February 04, 2011]  (ARA) - Home really is where the heart is. Upon retirement - when all of their children have moved out of the house - 90 percent of Americans age 60 and older choose to stay right where they are, according to 20 years of data from the U.S. Census Bureau. (Click here for the rest of the story)

---

Counterfeit check Scams:
Throw that fake check away!

[February 04, 2011]  Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan
Con artists never grow tired of using counterfeit check scams to take your money. Many of the fake checks created today look so real that they even fool bank tellers. Don’t let them fool you! By learning to recognize the signs of a counterfeit check scam, you can avoid becoming another victim of this common rip-off. (Click here for the rest of the story)

---

IEMA highlights preparedness for people with functional needs Guidebook offers tips to help people with functional needs and their caregivers plan for emergencies

[February 04, 2011]  SPRINGFIELD – While every home should have a disaster preparedness kit stocked with such items as a flashlight, bottled water and a first-aid kit, emergency preparedness is even more critical for households with members who have functional needs. (Click her for the rest of the story)

---

Read this if you plan to retire soon 

[February 04, 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

[February 04, 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

[February 04, 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

[February 04, 2011]  Next week it will be my 40^th 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

[February 04, 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)

---

Archived articles

Archived articles