All Posts in "Month: October 2014"

Georgia Lomax is the new Pierce County Library System executive director. Lomax has served as the library’s deputy director since 2006. Lomax, 55, starts on Nov. 10, 2014, at a salary of $140,000. Neel Parikh, the library’s current executive director, retires Nov. 1, after 20 years at the helm.
Prior to joining Pierce County, Lomax worked for the King County Library System from 1993 to 2005 serving in a number of positions including cluster manager and managing librarian. Before that, she served as director of the Flathead County Library System in Montana from 1987 to 1992, and as the director of the Miles City Public Library and the Sagebrush Federation of Libraries from 1985 to 1987. She earned her master of library science degree from the University of Washington, Seattle, and her bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism from Washington State University.
Lomax sits on the executive board of Tacoma Community House and serves on the University of Washington iSchool Advisory Board. Nationally, she sits on the Public Library Association (PLA) Board of Directors and served as this year’s national conference program committee chair. She was named a “Mover and Shaker” by the “Library Journal” in 2010 and also won the Allie Beth Martin Award from PLA in 2006.
A Des Moines, Wash., native, Lomax is a 1977 graduate of Mt. Rainier High School in the Highline School District. Now a Sumner resident, Lomax is an avid sailor. She races regularly in Seattle aboard the 46-foot sailboat New Haven. In July, she and her New Haven teammates took third overall in the 2014 Vic-Maui race.
Lomax is the fourth director in Pierce County Library’s 68-year history. With faster Internet connections, more mobile devices and the rise of entertainment giants such as Amazon and Netflix, public libraries find themselves at a crossroads. Lomax’s goals for keeping Pierce County Library relevant include focusing on tech innovation, workforce development and finding ways to further support the military population. She also has a personal interest in further connecting the library with the Native American community.
“As libraries exit the recession, they can look back and try to rebuild what was, or they can look forward and ask what they must now become,” said Lomax. “We choose to move forward. We will determine our future using guidance from the community and the resources and creativity of our staff. I know for sure that includes providing much-needed services, great books for readers, and the library playing a major role in the community.”

srmedia by — October 21, 2014 in News

Retirement isn’t cheap. Even though you’re no longer drawing a paycheck, you still must pay for housing, food, utilities, transportation and healthcare, to name just a few expenses. As prices continue to escalate, it’s not surprising that the ages at which people expect to retire – and when they actually do – have crept up in recent years.
Speaking of healthcare costs, here’s a number that’ll stop you in your tracks: According to an annual Fidelity Investments study of retirement costs, the average couple retiring in 2014 at age 65 is expected to need $220,000 (in today’s dollars) to cover their medical expenses in retirement. Those planning to retire at 62 can expect another $17,000 in additional annual expenses.
Fidelity’s estimate includes Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments and other out-of-pocket costs, but notably does not include most dental or vision services, over-the-counter medications or, most importantly, long-term care.
When Fidelity polled pre-retirees aged 55 to 64, 48 percent believed they’d only need $50,000 to cover their healthcare costs in retirement. That’s quite a reality gap.
If you’re planning to retire in the next few years and are concerned you haven’t saved enough money to cover your healthcare expenses, here’s a sampling of what you can expect to pay:
Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility and hospice services, as well as home health care. Most people pay no monthly premium for Part A. However, in 2014 there’s a $1,216 deductible for each time you’re admitted as an inpatient, plus a $306 daily coinsurance after 60 days ($608/day after 90 days).
Medicare Part B pays toward medically necessary doctor’s services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment and many preventive services. It’s optional and has a $104.90 monthly premium (although higher-income people pay more). There’s a $147 yearly deductible, after which you’re responsible for 20 percent of Medicare-approved service amounts, provided the doctor/provider accepts Medicare. Note: There’s no annual limit for out-of-pocket expenses.
Medicare Part C (Advantage) plans are offered by private insurers as alternatives to Parts A and B. They’re usually structured like HMO or PPO plans. Most cover prescription drugs (so Part D is unnecessary) and some also provide dental and vision coverage. You must use the plan’s doctor, hospital and pharmacy provider networks, which are more restrictive than under Parts A and B.
Advantage plan costs vary considerably, based on factors such as annual out-of-pocket maximums, monthly premiums, copayments and covered medications. Some Advantage plans cost no more than Part B, while others have a higher premium (to account for drug and other additional coverage).
Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. It’s optional and carries a monthly premium. These privately run plans vary widely in terms of cost, copayments and deductibles and medications covered. The 2014 national average monthly premium is about $32, although plans can cost up to $175 a month. Plus, higher-income people pay an additional surcharge. You may not find a plan that covers all your medications, but aim for one that at least covers the most expensive drugs.
Use the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov to compare Part D and Advantage plans in your area. To learn more about how Medicare works and what it does and doesn’t cover, read “Medicare & You 2014” at the same website.
Bottom line: Even though Medicare does pay a significant portion of retiree medical care, make sure that when you’re budgeting for retirement you take into account the many out-of-pocket expenses you’re likely to encounter.

Jason Alderman, who wrote this article, directs Visa’s financial education programs.

Contributing Author by — October 21, 2014 in Health & Fitness

Information from Pierce County and state officials will be presented in free public workshops this month on the subject of Medicare options for health insurance.
“Checking on Choices for Medicare” will be presented by the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center and SHIBA – Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors, a service of the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner. The information-only event is for Medicare beneficiaries and anyone else interested in Medicare coverage.
The presentation will be held three times:
• Nov. 3 from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the Pierce County Annex main meeting room at 2401 S. 35th St. in Tacoma.
• Nov. 5 from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the County-City Building’s seventh-floor Rainier Conference Room in Tacoma
• Nov. 8 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Soundview Building at 3602 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma.
The sessions will include an overview of Original Medicare, Medicare Parts A, B and D, and Medicare Advantage, as well as wrap-around coverage options. Participants will learn about comparing plans and the basic elements to consider for coverage that will provide the best coverage for the least amount of money, said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Aging and Disability Resources, an agency of Pierce County government.
“There’s good news and not-so-good news with Medicare,” said Van Valkenburg. “The good news is that consumers can now make choices for their coverage that will offer the best coverage based on their lifestyle, medical conditions and budget. The not-so-good-news is that if consumers do not take a close look each year, they could end up spending money needlessly.”

srmedia by — October 21, 2014 in News

Feel like a trip to the barbershop, musically speaking? The Harmony Kings and Jet Cities barbershop choruses will present a free community concert Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Federal Way.

The Harmony Kings include men from all over the South Sound region a capella. Jet Cities is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International and comprised of females also mainly from the South Sound area.

St.

The Harmony Kings will be joined by the Jet Cities chorus in a free concert in Federal Way Oct. 26.
The Harmony Kings will be joined by the Jet Cities chorus in a free concert in Federal Way Oct. 26.

Luke’s is at 515 S. 312th St.

srmedia by — October 15, 2014 in Lifestyles