Category: Tips

FYI, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, seniors, Social Security, Tips

Three Common Ways Your Social Security Payment Can Grow After Retirement

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist You made the choice and now you are happily retired. You filed online for your Social Security benefits. They arrive each month in the correct amount exactly as expected. But, did you ever wonder if your Social Security check could increase? Once you begin receiving benefits, there are three common ways benefit checks can increase: a cost … Continue reading Three Common Ways Your Social Security Payment Can Grow After Retirement

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Disability, FYI, medical, Medicare/Medicaid, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, senior independence, seniors, Social Security, Tips

Social Security A Source of Independence for Millions

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist On July 4, people in communities everywhere celebrate our nation’s independence with neighbors, family, and friends. A strong community promotes independence by helping each other lead full and productive lives. Social Security has been helping people maintain a higher quality of life and a level of independence for over 80 years. Over those decades, we’ve made it … Continue reading Social Security A Source of Independence for Millions

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Caregivers, Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, Planning for the Future, senior independence, Tips

Caregivers Guide to Driving Issues – Part Two

By Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney  This post is the second part of a previous blog post on Caregivers Guide to Driving Issues. The Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors receives phone calls every week from loved ones and caregivers asking what he or she can do when there are concerns about a loved one’s driving.  In our last post, I discussed issues that arise when a caregiver becomes aware of potential problems of … Continue reading Caregivers Guide to Driving Issues – Part Two

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Planning for the Future, Retirement, senior independence, seniors, Social Security, Tips

Social Security Q&A Part 11

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Question: How do I change my citizenship status on Social Security’s records? Answer: To change your citizenship status shown in Social Security records: Complete an application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5), which you can find online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html; and Provide documents proving your: New or revised citizenship status (We can only accept certain documents as proof of citizenship. … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 11

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Celebratory Month, Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, Tips

Don’t Forget Father’s Day, June 17th!  

By Michelle Goetz, J.D., Project Coordinator   If your dad is around, would you do me a favor? Forget finding the ‘perfect’ gift, and spend some time with him.   My dad lives far away from me, but we always make a Skype date (virtual) to catch up. Like many of those who will read this post, my life can be busy and time flies by. Therefore, it becomes even more important to make sure my dad knows … Continue reading Don’t Forget Father’s Day, June 17th!  

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Celebratory Week, Elder Abuse, Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, Tips

Flag Day: June 14, 2018

By Rachael Savoie, Human Resources  Do you know what the colors of the United States flag represent? According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, red represents hardiness and valor; blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice; and white represents purity and innocence.   According to The Library of Congress, Flag Day is observed annually in the United States on June 14th. Flag Day was established to honor and celebrate the adoption of the American Flag which took place on June 14, 1777.    … Continue reading Flag Day: June 14, 2018

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FYI, Medicare/Medicaid, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, senior independence, seniors, Social Security, Tips

Five Steps for Social Security Success

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist No matter how much you’ve planned, there’s no better time than now to think about your future. We’d like to encourage you to take Five Steps toward Your Financial Security. Planning for the future may seem intimidating to many, but we’ve broken the task down into five easy steps: Step 1: Get to know your Social Security … Continue reading Five Steps for Social Security Success

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Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Mid-America Pension Rights Project, Pension, Tips

Elder Law of Michigan/Mid-America Pension Rights Project – in the News!

Via Woodtv.com By Susan Samples Elder Law of Michigan’s Director of Client Assistance, Sandra Wisnewski, was interviewed to help assist with a pension overpayment matter. HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — When Adeline Reed received a letter from her pension fund telling her she’d been overpaid for nearly a decade, she was shocked. “I didn’t believe it,” said Reed, 74, of Holland. According to the letter from the Kraft … Continue reading Elder Law of Michigan/Mid-America Pension Rights Project – in the News!

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Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, Tips

Removing a Lien on a Home

By: Ellen Mason, J.D., Hotline Attorney Val and Douglas bought a fixer-upper, bargain-basement-priced house in one of Detroit’s up-and-coming neighborhoods. They are quite handy, so they planned on doing a lot of work themselves. But, for the electrical work they hired a professional. They became dissatisfied with his work and fired him. Since he was a licensed contractor, they filed a complaint against him with the Michigan … Continue reading Removing a Lien on a Home

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Elder Law of Michigan, fraud, FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, PREVNT, Retirement, Safety, senior independence, Tips

Share financial information with your spouse now to avoid problems later

Via Consumer Financial Protection Bureau By Erin Scheithe It’s common for couples to share their financial lives but not the responsibility for managing household finances. It might be time-consuming for both of you to review your bills, as well as spending and savings plans each month. But if responsibilities unexpectedly shift due to a sudden illness or loss of a spouse, getting up to speed quickly … Continue reading Share financial information with your spouse now to avoid problems later

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