By Dawn Kepler, Project Administrator In April 2018, new Medicare cards will be sent out and the new card will include a new Medicare Number. The mailing for these new cards will be staggered throughout the year and it is expected to end by April 2019. Here are 8 Things to Know about Your New Medicare Card: Medicare will mail you a new card, and this change … Continue reading 8 Things to Know about Your New Medicare Card
By: Jadranko Tomic-Bobas, J.D., Hotline Attorney; Emilee Evans, Legal Intern On February 14, 2018, Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation ending driver responsibility fees and eliminating $637 million in debt owed by 350,000 drivers. According to Crain’s Detroit, the fees being forgiven include driving fees, “that stem from a state-level tax on municipal traffic violations”. Not only will fees for previous offenses be forgiven, but the … Continue reading Waiver of the Michigan Driver Responsibility Fees
Via Federal Trade Commission The Federal Trade Commission will begin mailing 36,830 checks totaling $10,158,601, to consumers who lost money to a technical support scam. Inbound Call Experts, LLC, doing business as Advanced Tech Support, along with other defendants, agreed to pay more than $10 million as part of a settlement with the FTC. According to the FTC, the defendants used high-pressure sales pitches to … Continue reading FTC to Begin Mailing Checks to Victims of Tech Support Scam
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Question: I have been getting Social Security disability benefits for many years. I’m about to hit my full retirement age. What will happen to my disability benefits? Answer: When you reach “full retirement age” we will switch you from disability to retirement benefits. But you won’t even notice the change because your benefit amount will stay the … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 7
Via This Chair Rocks By Ashton Applewhite This project began 11 years ago as a project about people over 80 who work. Upbeat! Inspirational! Safe! I didn’t realize it at the time, but the project epitomized an approach that has dominated gerontology since the 1980s: “successful aging”— also known as “active,” “healthy,” or “productive” aging. For most of human history, aging was seen as a natural process … Continue reading Why it’s just fine to fail at “successful aging”
By Shirley Brown, Economic Security Team Member Even though you may have smoked for years and had no difficulties that you know of, it would benefit you greatly to quit. It will be difficult but not impossible. You may need help and may have to try several different approaches to find the one that will work best for you. If you are not successful at your first attempt, do not give up. If you … Continue reading The Importance of Older Adults Quitting Smoking
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist March is Women’s History Month. This is a time to focus not just on women’s achievements, but on the challenges women continue to face. In the 21st century, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nation’s history. Knowing this, you can take control … Continue reading Women’s History and Social Security
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist After a lifetime of working, you deserve a comfortable retirement. For over 80 years, Social Security has been helping people shape their future, assisting them with a variety of benefits. It’s up to you as to when you start retirement benefits. You could start them early or wait until your “full retirement age,” or delay retirement to … Continue reading When is a Good Time to Start Receiving Social Security Benefits?
Via Lansing State Journal By Beth LeBlanc March 7, 2018 Seven Lansing-area public employee retirement plans have come under scrutiny from the state for their unfunded liabilities. The Michigan Department of Treasury contacted pension plan administrators last week to inform them that reports they submitted to the state in January had triggered a preliminary review of the policies’ “underfunded status.” Read the full article. Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): State hones in on ‘underfunded’ pension and health care plans, including 7 in mid-Michigan
By Dawn Kepler, Project Administrator Older adults (age 65 and up) comprise 20% of all drivers licensed in Michigan, and this number is projected to increase. Older drivers are more likely than other age groups to engage in the following crash related driving behaviors: failure to yield, disregard of traffic control, improper lane use, improper turn, and improper backing. In addition, the risk of injury or death is higher for … Continue reading Airbag Safety for Aging Drivers
