veterans

COLA Change: How Much Would You Lose?

Posted on 02/13/2013 by | News | Comments

Bulletin Today | Money & Savings | PoliticsThe chained CPI — a proposal to change the way the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is calculated for Social Security and veterans benefits — can be as confusing as its name. And with it comes a number of daunting statistics: Retirees and veterans would lose $129 billion in benefits over the next 10 years. If you’re 62 and take early retirement this year, by age 92 you’d be losing the equivalent of a full month of income every year. Poverty rates …

Hammering an Idea for Stingier COLAs

Posted on 02/7/2013 by | Washington Watch | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsThis video might leave you with the impression that nobody wants a proposed change for calculating cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). Not older Americans. Not veterans. Not women. Not labor. And certainly not independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. That the so-called chained Consumer Price Index has no support isn’t the case, of course, or these people wouldn’t have met at the U.S. Capitol to take turns bashing the proposal. Though the formula would slow increases in Social Security, veterans and …

Adventures in Caregiving: Taking Mom and Dad to the Movies

Posted on 02/5/2013 by | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Caregiving | Home & Family | RelationshipsDue to Mom and Dad’s health issues, it’s been a very long time since I’ve attempted taking them to a movie. Nevertheless, fortified by Danielle, our live-in caregiver, and my boyfriend, Bill, I recently decided to try taking them to see, “Lincoln.” Here’s how we pulled it off … and the emotional roller coaster that ensued for me. We chose an early Tuesday evening when there wouldn’t be crowds (matinees are great too.) We arrived at the movie theater late, …

Digging Deeper on Changes to the Social Security COLA

Posted on 12/1/2012 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Money & Savings | PoliticsNo one with any common sense wants to see our politicians take us over the fiscal cliff. And I think most people with common sense also realize that Social Security, and the tougher issue of Medicare, are worth thoughtful debate and discussion so these vital programs can be put on stronger footing for future generations. However, when budget cutters take aim at today’s Social Security recipients, it’s time to ask questions and dig deeper into the fine print. A proposal …

Major Hurdles Remain to End Veteran Homelessness

Posted on 11/12/2012 by | General News | Comments

Bulletin TodayBy Julie Watson and Pauline Jelinek of The Associated Press CHULA VISTA, Calif. (AP) — Arthur Lute’s arduous journey from his days as a U.S. Marine to his nights sleeping on the streets illustrates the challenge for the Obama administration to fulfill its promise to end homelessness among veterans by 2015. Lute has post-traumatic stress disorder from the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon. He spent years drifting through jobs, two years in prison for assault, then 15 …

PTSD Vets: Don’t Ask for a Service Dog

Posted on 10/11/2012 by | Caregiving | Comments

Caregiving | Home & Family | Your LifeFor years, I’ve written articles about the power therapy dogs have over people with dementia, loneliness and behavioral problems. My own sweet springer spaniel was a certified service dog I’d take to nursing homes. Of course, you don’t have to have any of those issues to find them comforting. (When my father was dying, he asked for my dog.) So my human ears perked up when I read that a federal regulation that went into effect last week still does …

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