By Grace DeRose-Wilson, Screening Integration Coordinator at Elder Law of Michigan All disasters have something in common. From hurricanes and tornadoes to pandemics, any time the normal operation of daily life is disrupted people pull together and pitch in to help each other survive. Unfortunately, scammers also try to take advantage of people during these times. The coronavirus pandemic is no different. While many of … Continue reading Coronavirus Scam Alert
By Sandra Wisnewski, Director of the Mid-America Pension Rights Project at Elder Law of Michigan You cannot have your pension at this time because your current job is similar employment! Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, this is a common restriction that some pensioners face when they leave a long-term job position. Employment restrictions are very common within multi-employer (skilled trades) pension plans and are legal. These restrictions effect pensioners … Continue reading Mid-America Pension Rights Project: A Working-Class Program that Works to Solve Your Pension Problems
By Christine Steinmetz, Pension Attorney at the Mid-America Pension Rights Project at Elder Law of Michigan Do you ever wonder if you have saved enough for retirement? There are so many online calculators, articles, and books written on this very issue. You save and expect your retirement to go smoothly. However, many people retire and realize that they have not saved enough. Recently, General Electric … Continue reading Mid-America Pension Rights Project: Defined Benefit Pension vs Defined Contribution 401(k): Part 1
By Grace DeRose-Wilson, Screening and Integration Coordinator at Elder Law of Michigan Health insurance is complicated, and Medicaid is no exception. I have helped many older adults apply for Medicaid, and I have talked with many individuals who have Medicaid with a Spend-down. As with most health insurance and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) benefits, there are many other regulations and exceptions that … Continue reading How Does a Medicaid Spend-down Work?
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Each year, we announce the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). By law, federal benefits increase when the cost of living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Usually, there is an increase in the benefit amount people will receive each month, starting the following January. Nearly … Continue reading Social Security benefits increase in 2020
By Denise Keiser, Fund Development Specialist at Elder Law of Michigan Recently, I sat down with my grandmother who is in her 80’s to help prepare her monthly bills and discovered some startling news about her retirement savings – it’s gone! She, like many seniors her age, has outlived her nest egg. Surprisingly, she never thought she would live this long, and thus, ever run … Continue reading Older Adults Are Outliving Their Retirement Savings: How I Helped My 89-Year Old Grandmother Bridge the Gap
Via Pensions&Investments By James Comtois Participants in a $549 million 401(k) plan sponsored by AutoZone Inc. have filed a class-action lawsuit against the company for violating ERISA. The suit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Memphis, alleges that AutoZone breached its fiduciary duties by approving, maintaining and recommending an asset allocation service called “GoalMaker” provided by Prudential Insurance Co. of America, which the participants … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): 401(k) participants sue AutoZone over alleged ERISA breaches
By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Every year on Veterans Day, our nation honors the people who risk their lives to protect our country. Social Security’s disability program is an important part of our obligation to wounded warriors and their families. For military members who return home with injuries, Social Security is a resource they can turn to. If you know any … Continue reading Social Security helps veterans and active duty military members
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Time is one of our most valuable commodities. That’s why at Social Security, we are constantly improving our online resources to make doing business with us easier and faster. With a my Social Security account, those receiving benefits can change their address and direct deposit information; get proof of their benefits; and request replacement documents, like a … Continue reading Free up our time by using my Social Security
Sandra Wisnewski, Director of the Mid-America Pension Rights Project at Elder Law of Michigan The Mid-America Pension Rights Project (MAPRP) assists clients with pension and 401(k) issues. There are no age or income restrictions and there is never a charge for the services. The Pension Project works to find answers and solutions to your pension-related problem. Just ask Ms. X. Ms. X worked for an … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): A Working-Class Program that Works to Solve Your Pension Problems
