The Senior Scene

Why do 90 to 150 former students of McCarver Junior High School in Tacoma reunite every year to share food, friendship and memories?
The answer is simply “education,” says Andy Artz, an organizer of the reunion that will be held again Aug. 12 at Fircrest Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Dedicated teachers provided McCarver students with their classroom education,” said Artz, who was one of those pupils. “But lessons learned in the school’s hallways, on the athletic field, in the auditorium at lunchtime, around the juke box during Friday nights were the lessons that gave us an edge in life and bonded us forever.”
For the reunion coming up in August, organizers will provide soda, water, coffee, condiments, cups, plates and utensils. Attendees are asked to bring a salad, entrée or dessert to share.

Madonna Hanna won an International Speech competition for Toastmasters in District 32, which includes more than 2,000 members in 65 clubs from Federal Way to Chehalis.
After taking first place at the district contest in May, Hanna will compete against speakers from around the world at the Toastmasters International Convention in August in Las Vegas.
The title of Hanna’s winning speech was “Beth Cleary.” Hanna explained that she and Cleary “attended the same high school and were both teased and bullied. My competition speech is actually part of a 45-minute presentation I share with middle school and high school audiences.”
Hanna uses her personal experience to passionately promote an anti-bullying message. The award winning speaker and educator wants everyone to know that “the anti- bully message is still so very important and needs to be addressed by educators, parents, students of all ages, and community members. We all need to speak up and face bullies to put a stop to bullying. Also every person needs to believe they have self-worth, talents, skills and abilities that are unique to them.”
Through self-paced educational programs, Toastmasters shed their fear of public speaking, while gaining organizational and leadership skills that help them progress in their professional and personal lives.
Representing Evergreen 333 Toastmasters, Hanna joined Toastmasters in 2012 when she retired from teaching at Bremerton High School. She has achieved the Advanced Communicator Bronze award, having given more than 20 speeches, each of which was evaluated by other club members. Hanna is now a motivational speaker and civility coach. She and her husband, J. Steven Hanna, live in Ruston.
Hanna says that “Toastmasters has introduced (her) to a magnificent group of individuals who are supportive and inspirational,” Hanna recently organized the May 5th celebration of her club’s 70th anniversary.

Question:
What is the maximum Social Security retirement benefit?
Answer:
The maximum benefit depends on the age you retire. For example, if you retire at full retirement age in 2015, your maximum monthly benefit would be $2,663. However, if you retire at age 62 in 2015, your maximum monthly benefit would be only $2,025. If you retire at age 70 in 2015, your maximum monthly benefit would be $3,501. To get a better idea of what your benefit might be, visit our online Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire/estimator.html.
Question:
My same-sex partner and I recently married. Will we qualify for Social Security benefits?
Answer:
You may be eligible to apply for Social Security benefits. Many factors affect your eligibility for benefits, including how long you worked and your age. Social Security is now processing more claims in which entitlement or eligibility is affected by a same-sex relationship. We encourage you to apply for benefits right away, even if you aren’t sure you’re eligible. Applying now will protect you against the loss of any potential benefits. You can apply safely and securely at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. Learn more about Social Security for same-sex couples by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/same-sexcouples.
Question:
I’m planning my retirement. What is the maximum Social Security benefit I might receive?
Answer:
The maximum benefit depends on the age you retire and how much you earned in your lifetime. For example, if you retire at age 62 in 2015, your maximum benefit will be $2,025. If you retire at full retirement age in 2015, your maximum benefit will be $2,663. If you retire at age 70 in 2015, your maximum benefit will be $3,501. You can estimate your benefits by using our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
Question:
I was hurt on the job and can’t work. How do I start my application for Social Security disability benefits?
Answer:
If you have a disability that qualifies, you can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability. There are several advantages to applying online for disability benefits. You can start your disability claim immediately. There is no need to wait for an appointment. You can apply from the convenience of your home or on any computer. And, you avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving you time and money. You can use the online application to apply for benefits if you are age 18 or older, have a medical condition that has prevented you from working or is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or result in death, and reside in the United States or one of its territories or commonwealths. .
Question:
I will rely on Medicare when I retire. Can you explain the different parts of Medicare?
Answer:
The different parts of Medicare cover your specific needs. There are four parts, all of which work in tandem to deliver healthcare services.
• Part A (hospital insurance): Hospital insurance helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health care, and hospice care.
• Part B (medical insurance): Medical insurance helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that hospital insurance doesn’t cover.
• Part C (Medicare Advantage plans): If you have Medicare Parts A and B, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan. Private companies offer Medicare Advantage plans which are approved by Medicare. These plans generally help you pay the medical costs not covered by Medicare Part A and B.
• Part D (prescription drug coverage): Prescription drug coverage helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment.

Question:
How do I know if I meet the eligibility requirements to get Social Security disability benefits?
Answer:
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have worked long enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually 10 years). You must also have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s strict definition of disability. We consider an adult disabled under our rules if he or she has a medical condition, or combination of medical conditions, that are expected to last for at least one year or result in death, and that prevent the performance of any type of work.
If you think you may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, you can use our online application at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.

Kirk Larson, who wrote this article, is a public affairs specialist in western Washington for Social Security.

Learning how to deal with an initial diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is the subject for two public presentations this month by Pierce County Community Connections Aging and Disability Resources.
The final installments of a six-part series titled “Oh My Gosh – Now What?” will be led by Jessica Girard and Kris Sawyers-Dowling, who are county case managers, and are scheduled for July 10 and July 24 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Pierce County Annex, 2401 S. 35th St. in Tacoma. The sessions are free.
“The prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias is growing rapidly,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Aging and Disability Resources. “There are over 150,000 Washingtonians with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, a number expected to triple by 2050. Nationally, over 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer’s. Until a cure is found, our goal is to help families with care, information and resources.”
Additional information is available from Aging and Disability Resources at 253-798-4600.