All Posts in "Everything Else"

Each year, on Nov. 11, America observes Veterans Day and honors the men and women who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces. Many of our Vietnam era veterans are now nearing retirement age, or already there. It is important that they — and other American service personnel — know just what retirement benefits they can count on from Social Security as they make their future financial plans.

Like most of the civilian workforce, all current military personnel pay Social Security taxes and earn Social Security coverage. Earnings for active duty military service or active duty training have been covered under Social Security since 1957. Also, earnings for inactive duty service in the reserves (such as weekend drills) have had Social Security coverage since 1988.

In addition to regular military pay, Social Security adds special earnings credits to an individual’s Social Security record when he or she serves in the military. The extra earnings are for periods of active duty or active duty training. If, for example, a person served in the military between 1957 and 1977, he or she has been credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which active duty basic pay was earned. These extra earnings may help someone qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of the Social Security benefit.

The number of credits an individual needs to qualify for Social Security depends on his or her age and the type of benefit. Any future Social Security benefit payment depends on a person’s earnings, averaged over a working lifetime. Generally, the higher a person’s earnings, the higher his or her Social Security benefit will be.

And remember that Social Security is more than retirement. If a worker becomes disabled before reaching retirement age, he or she may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. A disabled worker’s spouse and dependent children also may be eligible for benefits. If a worker dies, the widow or widower and dependent children may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits.

If you, or someone you know, were wounded while on active duty in the military, find out more about what Social Security can do by visiting our website designed specifically for wounded warriors: www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. There, you will find answers to a number of commonly asked questions, as well as other useful information about disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Veterans and others who are within 10 years of retirement age should begin planning for retirement. A good place to start is with Social Security’s Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

For more information, you can read our fact sheet, Military Service and Social Security, which is available on our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html.

Contributing Author by — November 12, 2011 in Everything Else
Local senior experts put on free community panel

There’s a lot to caring for older relatives.  Most people think they are alone or and this can be even worse, they think they have to do it alone because they owe it to Mom or Dad or Aunt Jane.  The truth is the old joke about getting old not being for sissies isn’t much of a joke.  It’s tough on the person who seemingly suddenly needs help and it’s tough on the younger generation while they try to figure out how to offer help without injuring the pride of someone they love.

That’s where a free community panel on Nov. 5 comes in.  Local senior experts will answer a variety of questions and be available after the presentation for additional questions from members of the community.  Need to know what resources are available for someone with dementia?  Come to the forum.  Need to know if your parents have to lose their home to gain access to some benefits?  Come to the forum.  Need to know how to help your parents stay in their home as they age?  Come to the forum.

Local experts will speak on topics including: elder law, Medicaid Eligibility, geriatric care management, medical alert systems, resources for aging and long term care, in-home care and senior living facilities.

The community forum, which is sponsored by Rehmke & Flynn, PLLC, Elder Law Attorneys, Pierce County Aging and Disability Services, Elder Assessment & Referral Services and Cascade Park Communities, will be held at the Soundview Building, 3602 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Refreshments will be served.  For questions, contact Jonete Rehmke at (253) 460-3190.

Bonnie Dickson by — November 3, 2011 in Everything Else
Hill and Dale club plants sunshine at soldiers’ home

Photo courtesy of Hill and Dale Garden Club

For the past three years, members of the Hill and Dale District of garden clubs have been planting daffodil bulbs at the Orting Soldiers’ Home.  This year the district was a little short of money and none of the local nurseries had bulbs to donate, however, the the home is facing cutbacks and the residents are so appreciative it is something the women want to do.  They’ve applied for a grant and went ahead with fingers crossed.  They’ve now planted 1,900 daffodils.

Karla Stover by — November 2, 2011 in Everything Else

Alzheimer’s knows no boundaries. Any adult can be diagnosed. One in 8 Americans age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly half of Americans aged 85 and older have Alzheimer’s disease. Its prevalence is growing rapidly.

“Generation Alzheimer’s: The Boomer Future” will explore the growth of Alzheimer’s on the Baby Boom generation, those born between 1946 and 1964. The presentation will also look at the impact it will have on our already overextended health and social services and will help attendees to better understand and plan for this new era of caregiving.

“Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “It is the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. We also know that while death rates have declined for most major diseases, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have more than doubled. That’s why it is so important for people to learn as much as possible about the disease and the community resources available to help.”

There are three opportunities to see the presentation:

• Nov. 7, 12:10-12:50 p.m., Pierce County Annex (Main Conference Room), 2401 35th Street, Tacoma

• Nov. 8, 7-8 p.m., Soundview Building (Conference Room 1), 3602 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma

• Nov. 10, 12:10-12:50 p.m., County-City Building (7th floor Rainier Room), 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma

“Generation Alzheimer’s: The Boomer Future” is free, but RSVPs are requested by calling (253) 798-8787. This presentation is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association of Western and Central Washington and the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center. For more information call (253) 798-4600.

Press Release by — November 2, 2011 in Everything Else