People who have earned a defined-benefit pension seem to be in an enviable position — retiring with the promise of a steady income stream for life. But it’s not so enviable if the promised benefits don’t show up. And an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor is finding that many retirees aren’t getting the benefits they’ve earned.
Since last summer, the Labor Department has opened investigations into more than four dozen large pension plans, with eye-opening results: Some do a very poor job keeping track of retired participants and paying benefits when they’re owed. In some cases, plans don’t even have the names or ages of many of their participants.
Social Security is coming under increased scrutiny because of its projected long-term financial problems. In fall 2015, a new law made changes curtailing some claiming strategies. But bigger fixes could be on the horizon: Suggested changes to the program have included gradually raising the normal retirement age for full benefits to age 69, trimming benefits for wealthier retirees and raising the amount of wages subject to payroll taxes that fund the program. With thousands of baby-boomers turning 65 every day for the next 13 years, the pressure is on to come up with fixes to ensure the program lasts.
So how well do you know Social Security? Take our quiz to better understand this federal program, which provides an important piece of most retirees’ income. In fact, the decisions you make about when and how to take benefits can help fortify your financial security in retirement. Some of our secret strategies to boost your benefits may surprise you, too.
Knee pain is often caused by either a one-time acute injury or repetitive motions that stress the knee over time, particularly as we age. There are some steps you can take to avoid knee pain and injuries.
“One of the most common things that causes knee injuries is the runner’s stretch,” says Robert Gotlin, DO, director of sports rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. “That’s when you grab your foot, bringing heel to butt. We all do it, but it’s one of the things that tends to increase knee pain. By bending the knee all the way, the kneecap gets jammed into the bones below it.”
Taken from a Hawaii National Guard Media Release
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii- More than 50 members of the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) and three KC-135 Strotankers, based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPH-H) have returned home following a four-month deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The three KC-135 Stratotankers belonging to the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, along with flight and maintenance crews and other support personnel were part of the 18-Nation air Coalition in the fight against Daesh or ISIS. Two tankers and most of the Airmen arrived today at JB PH-H following the long flight from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. They were greeted by 154th Wing Commander Gregory Woodrow. One tanker returned home on Thursday.
The HIANG Airmen were deployed for four months as part of an Air Expeditionary Force rotation. The unit has deployed to the U.S. Central Command (US CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility numerous times. Aerial refueling makes it possible to extend the range and persistence of Coalition air operations in Iraq and Syria, enabling U.S. and other Coalition aircraft to maintain a 24/7 presence over areas Daesh operates in, holding targets they value at risk.
All of the HIANG Airmen who deployed are part of the 154th Wing, the largest Air National Guard wing in the nation. The Hawaii Air National Guard is comprised of nearly 2,500 Airmen whose federal mission is to be trained and available for active duty Air Force operational missions.
Video and Photographs of the KC-135 arrivals
From the Kiplinger Magazine website
Hurricane damage can be costly. A study of Travelers Insurance claims from 2009 to 2015 found that exterior wind damage was the most common cause of home claims, accounting for one-fourth of losses. Take these steps to protect your home and finances.
For the last 14 years, Benefits.gov has focused on users’ needs and continues to innovate to provide the best experience for the public in need of assistance. As the official U.S. website for government benefits, we will continue to respond to your feedback and to help you on your path to government assistance.
With a fresh, new homepage and a re-designed Compass eNewsletter, Benefits.gov launched new technology that helps you find what you are looking for – faster.
‘Discover Popular Benefits’ by Location. Located on the homepage, this new feature allows you to view a list of the five most popular benefits in your State. If you’re looking on behalf of a family member or client, you can simply type in the State you’re looking for, click ‘Change Location’ and the popular benefits will appear. You can then select each benefit listed to read a brief description, and you can view the ‘Benefit Details’ page by clicking ‘Read More.’
You can register to receive an email every time there is a new post. In the “Follow Retiree News via Email” section and press “Follow”. On the next screen, enter your email address and press ENTER. Shortly, you will receive a confirmation email to your address from WordPress.com. You acknowledge the email and you are a registered reader.
After you compete this short registration process, you get a notification email every time there is a new posting. The email has a quick teaser of the posting, along with tags that indicate how the posting relates to special topics/areas. There is a direct link to the website (Read more of this post)
click on graphic to enlarge
Thanks for the following new registered readers whose email address did not include a recognizable name: stephanybolduc, kandymaclurcan, bigfatassal, bobschurr78, toyota_girlie
From the Images of Old Hawaii website
Closed door (or membership) stores were discount stores that existed in the US since the late-1920s, when some retailers distributed ‘membership’ cards to some of their customers. One of the largest was GEM (Government Employees Mutual.) Only members of the GEM were permitted to make purchases in this warehouse store at prices substantially below prevailing retail prices elsewhere. It started in Denver, Colorado (1956.)
Glenn Kaya is credited with bringing the GEM stores to Hawaiʻi – starting with Kapālama (July 17, 1957) and Ward Avenue (August 1, 1962.) Following the mainland model, GEM itself did not carry inventory, it leased space to concessionaires operating different ‘departments.’ It expanded in the Islands.
Webmaster Comment: As you view the photographs at the end of the linked article, you will recognize that GEM Kapālama is now the City Center along Dillingham Boulevard. GEM Ware Avenue occupied the same space as the just closed Sports Authority.
From Honolulu Magazine
Happy 175th birthday, @PunahouSchool! Alumni of Punahou School are gathering this month in a series of events celebrating the school’s 175th anniversary.
We dug up a few fun facts you might not know about Punahou School
From the Living and Giving website: https://pamelahawley.wordpress.com/
Having a few good friends — or many — has always been golden. And as you age, those friendships may become even more important.
If you’re in your sixties or beyond, friendships aren’t just the social glue and glitz of life: As you get older, good friendships can dispel loneliness, improve your health, boost your sense of well-being, and even add to your years.
From the This Day in Aviation website
click on photograph to enlarge
At 6:05 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time (1305 UTC), the first Full Scale Development Lockheed YF-117A Nighthawk, 79-10780, made its first flight at Groom Lake, Nevada with Skunk Works test pilot Harold “Hal” Farley, Jr. at the controls. The super-secret airplane was made of materials that absorbed radar waves, and built with the surfaces angled so that radar signals are deflected away from the source.
Sugar is delicious. Anyone who denies that is lying. But because life is unfair, sugar, especially in copious amounts, is really bad for your health. In fact, once you learn about all the ways sugar impacts your body, it’s difficult to look at it the same way (despite knowing how heavenly it tastes).
So how do you know if you’re eating too much? Here are eight red flags your body is sending you that it’s time to cut back on the sweet stuff.
Big changes are coming to Costco next week.
Starting Monday, the wholesale giant is switching credit card providers to Citigroup’s Citi Visa, ending it’s 16-year relationship with American Express. For those among the Costco’s 81.3 million members who use credit cars for their purchases, it’s a big deal. If you’re one of them, here’s what you need to know.
