Via Los Angeles Times By Michael Hiltzik For nearly 40 years now, we’ve been hearing that 401(k) plans are the key to a comfortable retirement. By giving a tax break to workers contributing part of their paychecks to their retirement nest eggs, the plans were designed to supplement Social Security benefits and employer pensions. Read the full article. Continue reading Bad news: Your 401(k) won’t give you a decent retirement
Via NBC News By Martha C. White American workers could be losing a collective $2 trillion in lost retirement savings — simply by not rolling over their 401(k) savings accounts when they change jobs. A practice referred to as “forced transfers” or “forced rollovers” is the reason for much of these losses, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Read the full article. Continue reading Wait, Where Did My 401(k) Account Go?
Via The Associated Press COLUMBUS, OHIO Ohio’s largest pension system has voted to cut benefits for retirees. The Columbus Dispatch reports the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System voted Wednesday on the plan that would affect all of its more than 1 million members, current retirees and future ones. Read the full article. Continue reading Pension fund board votes to cut retirees’ benefits
By Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security has a toolbox full of resources on its website, http://www.socialsecurity.gov, to help you with your financial planning. With so many resources, maybe it’s easier if we highlight one of our “best.” B.E.S.T. is the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool, available at https://ssabest.benefits.gov. It can help you find out if you might be eligible for retirement, disability, … Continue reading How May We Help You?
By Emilee Evans, Legal Intern As noted in last week’s blog post, bullying is used to make an individual feel powerful by making another individual feel vulnerable and powerless. Being the target of bullying can be intimidating. By seeing this behavior through the perspective of residents of long term care facilities, hopefully cases of bullying will be easier to identify. The end of this post will include resources to use … Continue reading Bullying Among Older Adults: Long Term Care Facilities, Part 2 of 4
By Kathryn Larlee, J.D. October can be so beautiful. Leaves in full color, warm sweaters, delicious soups, apples and pumpkin spice in almost everything. For some, however, there is little to celebrate. Some folks are hurting or struggling with abuse. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a purple ribbon designates domestic violence awareness. Seniors face unique challenges when domestic violence happens to them. If an older person experiences abuse … Continue reading Seniors and Domestic Violence
By Emilee Evans, Legan Intern In light of October being Domestic Violence Awareness month, it is important to recognize forms of domestic violence that are largely underrepresented and not frequently brought to the public’s attention. Bullying among older adults is a misrepresented issue that may constitute a form of domestic violence. The questions then arise: What is bullying among older adults? Where may it occur? When do issues begin? Why do these disputes … Continue reading Bullying Among Older Adults: The Basics, Part 1 of 4
By Julia Miller, Legal Intern Michigan is well known for its cold, snowy winters, so it is no surprise that energy and heating bills can skyrocket during this time. For low income households these high costs can put them in danger of having their utilities shut off. In Michigan, not having heat during the winter months is incredibly unsafe, which is why the State of Michigan, through … Continue reading Winter Protection Plan
By Jadranko Tomic-Bobas,, Hotline Managing Attorney For many, living in Michigan is a dream come true. It has the perfect mix of recreation and industry, you get a beautiful blend of all four seasons, and wherever you are you are never far from a beautiful freshwater coastline. However, for many low income households, simply paying property taxes to live here can become an overwhelming financial burden. It is for this reason that … Continue reading Homestead Property Tax Credit
By Julia Miller, Legal Intern Renting can be a great alternative to buying your home, especially for those who move a lot, students, people who cannot afford or cannot get loans to buy a home, or for seniors who may not be sure how long they will be able to live independently. While renting a property can offer a degree of flexibility, there are always … Continue reading Sale of an Occupied Rental Property
