Category: Retirement

Elder Law of Michigan, Mid-America Pension Rights Project, Pension, Retirement

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Raiding Your 401(K) Can Be a Divorce Disaster

Via Kiplinger By Stacy Francis Many divorcing spouses find themselves strapped for money to pay for mounting legal bills and the higher costs of supporting two households, rather than one. With bank accounts and brokerage accounts drained to zero, some look to tap their employer 401(k)s or IRAs for quick cash to cover these costs. Within a few days, you can have the balance of … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Raiding Your 401(K) Can Be a Divorce Disaster

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Elder Law of Michigan, Retirement, Social Security

Ready to Retire? Apply Online with Social Security

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist It’s never too early to start planning for retirement and our online tools can help.  Go to  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount to access your my Social Security account to get a personalized estimate of your retirement benefits based on your earnings record.  Once you have an account, you can use our Retirement Calculator, to check out how your benefits change … Continue reading Ready to Retire? Apply Online with Social Security

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Elder Law of Michigan, Mid-America Pension Rights Project, Money and Finances, Pension, Planning for the Future, Retirement

Mid-America Pension Rights Project: Defined Benefit Pension vs Defined Contribution 401(k): Part 1

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

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Elder Law of Michigan, Money and Finances, Retirement, Social Security

Social Security benefits increase in 2020

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

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Elder Law of Michigan, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, senior independence, Tips

Older Adults Are Outliving Their Retirement Savings: How I Helped My 89-Year Old Grandmother Bridge the Gap

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

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Elder Law of Michigan, Mid-America Pension Rights Project, Money and Finances, Pension, Planning for the Future, Retirement

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): 401(k) participants sue AutoZone over alleged ERISA breaches

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

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Elder Law of Michigan, Mid-America Pension Rights Project, Money and Finances, Retirement

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): A Working-Class Program that Works to Solve Your Pension Problems

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

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Aging in Place, Elder Law of Michigan, Retirement, seniors

That’s for the Birds

By Ron Tatro, Vice President at Elder Law of Michigan My family’s home is in the country and we are surrounded by nature. Deer, turkeys, coyotes, and sandhill cranes roam the fields. Our back yard is home to countless species of birds. They range from large birds such as hawks and eagles to doves, cardinals, and songbirds. For me, they are a reminder of the changing … Continue reading That’s for the Birds

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Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Health, Retirement, seniors, Tips

Maintaining Emotional Wellness

By Betsy Smith MiCAFE Network Shareholder and Partner Manager at Elder Law of Michigan Stress and depression can have adverse effects on our physical health, and when left unchecked, both can lead to chronic conditions. To raise awareness about the importance of mental well-being, October is observed as Emotional Wellness Month. Many seniors enjoy the freedom of retirement; fewer responsibilities, and more time for travel … Continue reading Maintaining Emotional Wellness

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Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Money and Finances, Retirement, seniors, Social Security

Social Security Announces 1.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2020

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 69 million Americans will increase 1.6 percent in 2020, the Social Security Administration announced today. The 1.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 63 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2020. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will … Continue reading Social Security Announces 1.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2020

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