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
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[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]
