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Saturday, November 7, 2009

How Much Lying Will It Take To Break Your Confidence?

By Donna Smith
November 7, 2009

So, I wake this morning to see that Speaker Pelosi lied again about why she just could not allow a single-payer amendment to survive the legislative effort in the House on healthcare reform.

Early in the week she said that she couldn’t let the Kucinich amendment survive because it broke the President’s promise that “you can keep what you have if you like it.” See my blog on Michael Moore’s Mike & Me blog for my remarks on that subject.

So, out went the amendment voted into the bill with those ever-prized bi-partisan votes that would have allowed states whose voters and lawmakers pass single-payer plans to be granted necessary federal waivers to do so (read that again, folks, lest you miss the House’s direct squelching of the right you have in our own states to determine the best policy).

Then yesterday we read that praise-worthy as Anthony Weiner’s single-payer substitute amendment was–the one promised to a vote by Speaker Pelosi last July–that it just couldn’t be offered because that would mean the Speaker would have to allow other amendments too–like the abortion funding amendment.

Sorry, she told Mr. Weiner, but I have to be fair about this. The fluttering began and they all praised one another for being so damned agreeable.

Pelosi praises Weiner.

But read it, don’t weep. She’s decided–as Gomer Pyle would say “Surprise, surprise, surprise…”–to allow right-wing crazies another shot in offering their anti-abortion funding amendment.

I say don’t weep because at some point you actually get mad enough to call them out. If an anti- reproductive rights funding amendment becomes law in this bill, it is a slap in the face to so many various groups that it isn’t to be believed. The Republicans and the Blue Dogs do their own big share of lying when they pretend to care about life. Come on, we all know that’s just not reality.

So long as they are passing laws on the federal level that allow 45,000 people to die every year in this nation because they have not been allowed to receive the healthcare that was available to those with the means to pay for it, these folks have no claim to any right to life at all. And so long as they are passing laws on the federal level that allow me and millions of others to go bankrupt even with the health insurance they are forcing us all to buy, they have no claim to protecting my hard work and effort to achieve my own American dream.

Tell the truth, at least. This is all about protecting power and re-election and the money that fuels that process. Damn the people. They’ll just plan to buy us back to the polls with the crappy campaign ads that will commence shortly after the last chorus of “Jingle Bells” in December. And the insurance companies are going to have a very happy holiday season indeed.

Donna Smith is a community organizer for California Nurses Association and national co-chair of PDA's Healthare NOT Warfare campaign.

Strategies to Prevent and Delay Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention and Delay

How to Reduce, prevent, or delay symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's & Other Dementias: Types & Diagnosis

Researchers across the world are racing towards a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. As prevalence rates climb, their focus has broadened from treatment to prevention strategies.

Although there are no magic solutions, tantalizing new evidence suggests it may be possible to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease through a combination of healthful habits.

Scientists now suggest you can stimulate your mind, improve your mood, sharpen your memory, and reduce your Alzheimer’s risks. Learn their discoveries and join the race towards brain vitality now.

Strategies to Prevent and Delay Alzheimer’s Disease
Get plenty of exercise Eat a brain-healthy diet Keep your mind active	Sleep regularly and restfully Learn to relax Protect your brain

Prevention and delay strategy #1: Get moving!

According to a recent Mayo Clinic review, no single lifestyle choice has as much impact on aging and Alzheimer’s disease as exercise. In a 2009 review of literature from the International Journal of Clinical Practice, scientists documented that over time, physical activity effectively reduces the probability of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Additional research shows those with existing cognitive problems and dementia receive a protective benefit from regular exercise.

These tips will maximize your exercise plan:

Exercise at a moderate pace-for at least 30 minutes five times per week. Just five workouts every seven days can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by as much as 35%. When serious brain damage has already occurred, brisk walking and other cardiovascular exercise can slow further injury.
Build muscle to pump up your brain-moderate levels of weight and resistance training not only increase muscle mass, they maintain cognitive health. Combining aerobics and strength work is better than either activity alone. Add 2-3 strength sessions to your weekly routine, and your risk of Alzheimer’s is cut in half if you are over 65.
Stretch for success-agility not only makes you light on your feet, it improves balance and reduces head injuries. Remember the Tin Man… and reach, twist, and flex often to keep your frame limber and your brain supported.
Think movement-those who are physically active throughout life have improved cognitive forecasts. Gardening, cleaning house, and taking the stairs build brain-healthy movement throughout the day. Look for opportunities to walk, bend, stretch, and lift your way to vitality.

Stuck on the couch?

It takes 28 days for a new routine to become habit. Write realistic goals on a workout calendar and post it on the fridge. Build in frequent rewards, and within no time, the feel-good endorphins from regular exercise will help you forget the remote…and head out the door.

See Making Exercise Fun and Senior Fitness and Sports

Prevention and delay strategy #2: Eat a brain-healthy diet

In Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation and insulin resistance injure neurons and inhibit communication between brain cells. In Freedom from Disease, Alzheimer’s is described as “diabetes of the brain,” and a growing body of information suggests a strong link between metabolic disorders and the signal processing systems. In addition, the American Academy of Neurology

recently warned elevated cholesterol in your 40’s increases your risk of Alzheimer’s.

Eating habits that reduce inflammation and promote normal energy production are brain-healthy. These food tips will keep you protected:

Follow a Mediterranean diet. Control inflammation by eating foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, cold water fish, nuts, whole grains, and abundant fresh produce. Avoid transfats, full-fat dairy products, and red meat, but treat yourself to a glass of red wine and a dark chocolate square.
Maintain consistent levels of insulin and blood sugar. Eat several small meals throughout the day. Avoid packaged, refined, and processed foods, especially those high in sugars and white flour, which rapidly spike glucose levels and inflame your brain.
Eat across the rainbow. Emphasize fruits and vegetables across the color spectrum to maximize protective anti-oxidants and vitamins. Daily servings of berries and green leafy vegetables should be part of a plant-centered, brain protective regimen.
Drink tea daily. Green, white, and oolong teas are particularly brain-healthy. Drinking 2-4 cups daily has proven benefits. Although caffeine can inhibit stress reduction and become addictive, moderate coffee drinkers also enjoy reduced cognitive risks.
Consider supplementing your diet. Vitamins, herbs, and amino acids may provide additional brain protection. Folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and fish oils are believed to preserve and improve memory. Studies of vitamin E, gingko biloba, and tumeric have yielded more disappointing results. Talk to your doctor about medication interactions, and review current literature to make a personal decision about the costs and benefits of dietary supplements.

Prevent and delay Alzheimer’s with simple strategies for better nutrition. Read Tips for a Healthy Diet.

Prevention and delay strategy #3: Build brain reserves

According to the 2008 Wall Street Journal review “Neurobics and Other Brain Boosters,” an active, stimulated brain reduces your odds of developing Alzheimer’s. Those who remain engaged in activities involving multiple tasks, requiring communication, interaction, and organization, who continue learning, and constantly challenge their brains earn the greatest protection.

Cross-training with these brainpower activities will keep your mind sharp:

Set aside time each day to learn something new - read a good book, study a foreign language, play a musical instrument. The greater the novelty and challenge, the larger the deposit in your brain reserves.
Practice memorization - start with something short and progress to the 50 U.S. capitals. Create rhymes and patterns to strengthen your memory connections.
Solve riddles and work puzzles - brain teasers and strategy games provide great mental exercise and build your capacity to form and retain cognitive associations. Look for activities that use both sides of your brain…logic and language versus artistic and creative challenges.
Practice the 5 W’s - observe and report like a crime detective. Keep a Who, What, Where, When, and Why list of your daily experiences. Capturing visual details keeps your neurons firing.
Follow the road less traveled - take a new route, eat with your other hand, rearrange your computer desktop. Vary your habits regularly to create new brain pathways.

To learn more about harnessing your brainpower, read Tips and Techniques for Memory Enhancement

Prevention and delay strategy # 4: Sleep to restore memory

Your brain needs regular, restful sleep to process, store, and recall information. Nightly deprivation not only leaves you cranky and tired, but according to memory experts Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Gary Small, poor sleep can significantly damage your brain and central nervous system.

These tips will help you catch your Z’s and quiet the demons that keep you awake:

Establish a regular sleep schedule. Going to bed and getting up at the same time reinforces your natural circadian rhythms. Your brain’s clock responds to regularity, and long term disruption has been associated with heart disease, cancer risks, and cognitive problems.
Set the mood. Reserve your bed for sleep (and sex), take a hot bath, and dim the lights. Brisk evening exercise, comfortable temperatures, and white noise machines can also signal your brain that it’s time for deep restorative sleep.
Stop snoring, dear! Alcohol, smoking, sedating drugs, excess weight, high blood pressure, and clogged nasal passages can rock the timbers. Snoring may signal sleep apnea, a respiratory condition that threatens your heart and mind. A new study from the University of California at San Diego estimates seventy to eighty percent of Alzheimer’s patients experience sleep apnea. Cognition is frequently improved following Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment, which mechanically regulates the rise and fall of blood pressure and oxygen to the brain.
Quiet your inner chatter. When mental dialogues keep you awake, get up. Try reading or relaxing in another room for twenty minutes then hop back in. If repeating this cycle doesn’t work, check your stress levels. Your memory may depend on it.

Can Sleep Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?

Do you wake up refreshed? Can you remember your dreams? Deep, dreamy sleep is critical for memory formation and retention. If nightly sleep deprivation is slowing your thinking and affecting your mood, you may be at greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

See: Sleeping Well: What You Need to Know and Tips for Better Sleep

Prevention and delay strategy #5: Learn to relax and manage stress

According to USC’s Dr. Vincent Fortanasce, lifelong stress can double or quadruple your chances of Alzheimer’s disease, yet simple daily tools can minimize its effects. The harmful stress hormone cortisol hampers nerve cell growth and connection and accelerates cognitive decline, premature aging, depression, diabetes, and other assaults on your brain.

Conquer cortisol with these proven techniques:

Breathe! Stress alters breathing rates and impacts brain oxygen levels. Turn off your stress response with quiet, deep, abdominal breathing. From momentary inhale, hold, and exhale sequences to guided group exercises, restorative breathing is powerful, simple, and free!
Schedule daily relaxation activities - From a walk in the park or petting your cat to Tai-chi, guided imagery, or yoga, make relaxation a priority. Keeping cortisol under control requires regular effort.
Stay connected - We are social creatures, and the most connected fare better on tests of memory and cognition. Developing a strong support system through family, friends, exercise groups, clubs, and volunteer activities improves mood and slows cognitive decline.
Nourish inner peace - Most scientists acknowledge a strong mind-body connection, and various studies associate personal spiritual activities with better cognitive aging. Regular meditation, prayer, reflection, and religious practice may immunize you against the damaging effects of stress.

For tips to relieve stress in the moment, read How to Manage Stress.

Prevention and delay strategy #6: Protect your brain

By the time Alzheimer’s disease appears, irreversible damage has already occurred. Preventing and delaying Alzheimer’s includes three protective tips:

Avoid toxins - Among the most preventable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease are smoking and heavy drinking. Not only does smoking increase the odds for those over 65 by nearly 79%, researchers at Miami’s Mt. Sinai Medical Center warn that a combination of these two behaviors reduces the age of Alzheimer’s onset by six to seven years. If you stop smoking at age, the brain benefits from improved circulation almost immediately. Brain changes from alcohol abuse can only be reversed early.
Wear a helmet - and limit distractions. A National Institute of Health study suggests head trauma at any point in life significantly increases your risk of Alzheimer’s. Dr. Andrew Weil cautions that repeated hits in sports activities including football, soccer, and boxing, or single traumatic injuries from bicycle, skating, or motorcycle accidents make Alzheimer’s disease more likely in later life. Preserve your brain by wearing properly fitting sports helmets, buckling your seatbelt, and trip-proofing your environment. Avoid activities that compete for your attention—like driving with cell phones and running with your MP3 player. A moment’s distraction can lead to a brain-injuring thud!
Create a brain-safe environment - The evidence on modern technology is mixed. Scientists continue to examine links between neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and exposure to environmental contaminants. UCLA’s Memory Center Director Gary Small warns that lead, pesticides, mold, and other substances in your environment may damage your brain. Studies on the impact of electromagnetic energy from cell phones are still debated. Although definitive links to Alzheimer’s can be elusive, making choices that limit chronic exposure to environmental harm makes good sense.

Act now to prevent and delay Alzheimer’s disease

It is never too early or too late to protect yourself and your family against Alzheimer’s. Start a multi-step strategy now, and begin actively preventing or slowing this disease.

The race to cure Alzheimer’s is expected to continue for some time. Investing in your diet, exercise, mental stimulation, and rest will help you feel better now and keep your brain working stronger…longer.

Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms and Stages: Understanding the warning signs	Stress Management: Relax and unwind to keep Alzheimer’s in check
Healthy Eating: Tips for A Healthy Diet: Simple strategies to delay Alzheimer’s disease	Improving Your Memory: Mental aerobics and brain strategies for preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

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Strengthen your relationships
Overcome stress, anxiety, and depression
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Monday, November 2, 2009

No Social Security COLA increase for 2010

No Social Security COLA increase for 2010

If investors need another sign of the changed economic landscape, they need look no further than Social Security.

For the first time in more than three decades Social Security recipients will not receive a benefit increase, formally known as a cost of living adjustment (COLA), in 2010, federal forecasts show, The New York Times reports.

COLA is determined by a formula set by federal law, and it roughly parallels the consumer price index, though the two formulas are not identical. Senior citizens can get a ballpark estimate of their likely annual benefit increase from the consumer price index's rise.

Once cost increases reach a certain level, or threshold, the COLA is triggered for Social Security. The fiscal 2009 increase was 5.9 percent, and there's been a Social Security COLA every year since 1975.

No inflation, no COLA

However, both the Obama administration and the Congressional Budget Office (pdf) are forecasting that Social Security beneficiaries will not receive any cost of living adjustments in fiscal 2010 or 2011. The reason? The pronounced recession in the United States, which has created pricing pressure -- not pricing power -- for businesses. Pricing power is so weak for firms that the Federal Reserve believes the nation is more likely to experience a bout of deflation -- not inflation -- at least through mid-2010, and perhaps for a longer period.

Deflation -- a protracted, systematic decline in prices and wages -- occurs in pronounced recessions and in other conditions during which demand is nonexistent, and it robs companies of the ability to increase revenue and hurts the economy's ability to grow. If it takes hold, that's another hurdle policymakers will have to grapple with as they attempt to end the U.S. and global recessions.

The lack of a COLA adjustment would represent a net-gain in revenue for the Social Security operation, although there will be some subtractions to revenue, due to the fact that Medicare Part B premium increases are linked to Social Security's COLA and cannot rise more than the COLA. Hence, if there is no COLA, the Part B premium can not increase.

However, the lack of a benefit would also feed fewer dollars into the U.S. economy at a time when it needs all the demand pressure it can get, due to a smaller workforce stemming from layoffs and belt-tightening across the nation, senior citizens included.

Economic Analysis: The net result of no 2010 COLA is that millions of Social Security recipients will see their monthly benefit check reduced for the first time. Though the amount would be small, it represents another incremental reduction in income -- like a small increase in an electric utility rate or a small property tax increase -- that reduces the amount of money Americans have to spend, save, or invest. When combined, these incremental cuts place a substantial drag on the economy and are one major factor cause of the declines in retail sales and discretionary purchases.

Further, there's virtually no chance that Congress will revisit the COLA formula. The COLA stems from a grand political consensus that took years to negotiate and forge, and that fact, combined with the generation redistribution that already occurs under Social Security (the system redistributes income from younger generations to older generations), all point to lawmakers letting the inflation protection work as designed.

Information About 2010 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment

With consumer prices down over the past year, monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits will not automatically increase in 2010. The following resources provide more information:

Press Release: Prompt Passage of Economic Recovery Act Payment for 2010 Needed - Law Does Not Provide for a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2010

Effect of COLA on Social Security Benefits

Fact Sheet: Cost of Living Adjustments

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the COLA, tax, benefit and earning amounts for 2010?

What is a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)?

Who determines the CPI-W?

Why is there no COLA for 2010?

If there is no COLA, will my benefits stay the same?

Will the maximum taxable earnings amount change in 2010?

Will the retirement earnings test exempt amounts change in 2010?

If Medicare premiums increase in 2010, will my Social Security benefit be reduced?

How long has Social Security had COLAs?

President Obama Calls on Congress to Extend Economic Recovery Payment for 2010

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

October 14, 2009

President Obama Calls on Congress to Extend Economic Recovery Payment for 2010

Conference Call with Senior Administration Officials at 4:30pm ET (details below)

WASHINGTON, DC-President Obama announced his support for an additional $250 Economic Recovery Payment to the seniors, veterans and people with disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet with retirement savings that have not fully recovered from their losses over the first year of the recession.

"Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession. That is why I am announcing my support for an additional $250 in emergency recovery assistance to seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities to help them make it through these difficult times. These payments will provide aid to more than 50 million people in the coming year, relief that will not only make a difference for them, but for our economy as a whole, complementing the tax cuts we’ve provided working families and small businesses through the Recovery Act," said President Obama. "This additional assistance will be especially important in the coming months, as countless seniors and others have seen their retirement accounts and home values decline as a result of this economic crisis. I want to compliment all the members of Congress who have been working to address these challenges, especially Senators Reid, Baucus, Sanders, and Lincoln, Speaker Pelosi, and Representatives Rangel, McCarthy, and DeFazio."

Fact Sheet

The President’s proposal would provide an additional year of the $250 "Economic Recovery Payments" initially enacted under the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act (ARRA). Under this proposal:

57 million people would benefit. These include 49 million Social Security beneficiaries, 5 million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries, 2 million veterans benefit recipients, 0.5 million railroad retirement and disability beneficiaries, and also about 1 million public-employee retirees not entitled to any of the previous benefits.
The benefit would be $250 – or equivalent to a 2 percent increase in benefits for the average Social Security retiree beneficiary. Under the rules no person could "double dip" and receive a $250 Economic Recovery Payment through more than one program. Nor could they receive both an Economic Recovery Payment and the Making Work Pay tax credit.
The total cost of the proposal would be $13 billion – and would not hurt the solvency of Social Security. The President is committed to ensuring that the $13 billion cost of the proposal does not reduce the solvency of Social Security or other social insurance programs.
Would extend an effective relief program. To date Economic Recovery Payments have been made to 55 million people including seniors, veterans and people with disabilities and totaled $13.7 billion. Most of the checks were mailed out in May 2009.

In addition to this legislative proposal, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Treasury will take steps this week to prevent reductions in the amounts that workers can contribute to IRAs, 401(k)s, and other aspects of tax-favored retirement systems in 2010 that some feared could result from negative inflation over the past twelve months.

4:30PM CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

Today at 4:30PM EDT, the White House will hold a background conference call with senior Administration officials to brief reporters in advance of Thursday’s expected announcement on the cost of living adjustment (COLA).

WHAT: TODAY, Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:30PM EDT

DIAL-IN: (888) 428-4474

Reverse Mortgage Nightmare

Personal Finance Advice

Bridging the gap between saving money and investing

Reverse Mortgages – Only Consider as a Last resort

Posted by pfadvice

By David John Marotta and Beth Anderson Nedelisky

Before reverse mortgages, pensioners wishing to tap into home equity were presented with two options: either sell the house or get a home equity loan. But since their humble beginnings in the late ’80s, reverse mortgages provided seniors with an additional tool for accessing home equity. The going offer: get cash now, make no monthly payments, and keep your home sweet home. For retirees struggling to make ends meet, a reverse mortgage can provide a much-needed way forward.

A reverse mortgage should be considered only as a last resort. With early retirement planning, such ‘last resort’ options can be easily avoided. Still, reverse mortgages are a far cry from the blinking neon signs offering fast cash in exchange for a car title. At least with a reverse mortgage the borrower gets to keep the title and avoid the ugly monthly payments.

To understand the way a reverse mortgage works, let’s look at its opposite: the traditional home mortgage. Both are mortgages. But with a standard home loan — also known as a forward mortgage — over time the homeowner’s equity rises and the debt falls. A reverse mortgage does just the opposite. With a reverse mortgage, the debt rises and the homeowner’s equity falls.

Unlike a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit which immediately begin monthly collections on the loan, no payment is due on a reverse mortgage until the borrower sells or moves. Borrowers are given a guarantee of lifetime occupancy of the home. But, once the borrower no longer resides at home, the loan must be repaid. Typically, repayment is made from the proceeds from the sale of the home. The good news here is a reverse mortgage will not hold the borrower personally liable nor can they owe more than the market value of the home.

Minimum qualifications require borrowers to be age 62 or over and must either own their home free and clear or have little remaining debt against the house. But, meeting the initial requirements won’t mean the loan is a done deal. Borrowers should be prepared for an extensive interview and educational component before they can sign on the doted line.

Reverse mortgages are becoming ever more popular, in part, due to the customizable distribution options. Seniors may choose to receive one lump sum or monthly advances — either for a limited time or spread out over the course of their lifetime — for as long as they reside in the home. Others may choose to open a line of credit or pick a combination of payment options to suit their cash flow needs.

But, the convenience offered by a reverse mortgage comes with a price tag. Although loan fees can be financed as part of the loan, origination fees can easily cost borrowers in the neighborhood of $12,000- $18,000. Add to that the principal loan amount, interest, and maintenance fees, and the total cost will likely account for a sizeable portion of the home’s total value, if not all of it.

In addition to the costs of maintaining the home, borrowers are also expected to continue home owner’s insurance and property tax payment in addition to paying for routine maintenance on the home.

Currently, reverse mortgages come in three flavors: single-purpose, proprietary, and federally-insured loans. Single-purpose reverse mortgages are very low-cost. But, unlike the other two, they can only be used for one purpose, such as paying property taxes or making house repairs. Proprietary loans are offered through private banks. Although they are more expensive, they lend larger sums. Of the three loans types, the most common is the federally insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).

The actual amount a homeowner can hope to borrow using a reverse mortgage will be significantly less than the market value of the home itself. Although a HECM offers lower interest rates than private lenders, borrowers are subject to regional 203b loan caps ranging from $200,160 to $362,790. Ultimately, the total loan amount will be determined by the value of the home or the regional loan cap (whichever is less), the borrower’s age and the going interest rate.

So how do you know if a reverse mortgage is right for you? AARP advises prospective borrowers to consider three questions: How much would I get?, How much would I pay? and How much would be left at the end of the loan?

Although the lender almost always wins, a reverse mortgage does offer a Band-Aid solution to pending cash flow problems. Some seniors take the loan to eliminate remaining forward mortgage payments still owed on their home. The majority, though, choose a reverse mortgage to pay medical bills. In either case, a reverse mortgage allows the homeowner to live at home while shoring up immediate, and even long-term, cash flow shortfalls.

There are some cases in which you should never take a reverse mortgage. Avoid a reverse mortgage if you are close to the minimum age requirement. Assuming a reverse mortgage early on will provide you little income and will ensure you will have no equity left in your home at the end of the road. If you currently have little equity in your home, a reverse mortgage is also not worth the cost of the loan origination fees. The fees alone will likely eat up what little equity you have. Finally, avoid a reverse mortgage if you expect to move in the near future. The hefty costs of getting the reverse loan will be wasted and the loan will come due as soon as you move out of the home.

Before going forward with your reverse mortgage, consider your options carefully. There are many creative ways of managing cash flow needs without taking a loan against the value of your home.

As always, begin by looking at your budget and cutting unnecessary expenses. Generating additional income may be as simple as renting out a portion of your home. Or, you may consider moving to an area with a lower cost of living. Sell high and buy low. Then, invest the profit from the sale of your home. By doing so, you may be able to create a permanent cash stream without taking on any debt at all!

Finally, investigate community assistance programs. You may find that you qualify for additional social security benefits or for property tax relief.

More information about reverse mortgages can be found by visiting the AARP website at AARP. Of course, the best way to avoid a reverse mortgage is by planning early for retirement.

David John Marotta and Beth Anderson Nedelisky work at Marotta Asset Management, Inc. of Charlottesville which provides fee-only financial planning and asset management.

Image courtesy of *Susie*

Consider the consequences of serious if a seriously debilitating illness is discovered after you have signed away your home. Consider all options and possibilities (within reason) before deciding.

Bear Market Economics Impacts Seniors

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Saturday, November 7, 2009

How Much Lying Will It Take To Break Your Confidence?