It's not an unusual thing to choose a retirement date at some point in your career. You may decide to leave the workforce at 60, 62, 65, or at another age that works for you. But one thing you may want to do is maintain some flexibility in the context of those plans -- and postpone them just a bit. Here are three signs that retiring one year later than planned could work to your benefit. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called ...

A cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is meant to help Social Security benefits keep pace with inflation. But even with modest increases, retirees may still feel the squeeze. In 2026, a 2.8% COLA increased the average monthly retirement check by $56, affecting over 75 million Americans, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Early estimates suggest 2027 may bring a similarly small adjustment. If the Senior Citizens League predictions hold, the 2027 COLA could again be 2.8%. And some predic ...

Core Insights - Healthcare costs significantly impact retirees' Social Security benefits, with many retirees reporting that medical expenses consume a large portion of their income [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Impact on Retirees - Out-of-pocket medical costs account for approximately one-third of a typical retiree's Social Security income and nearly a quarter of their total income [2]. - Some retirees report spending over $11,000 annually on healthcare services, including premiums for Medicare Part B and other supplements, challenging the notion of "free healthcare" under Medicare [3]. - A significant number of seniors have had to forgo medical care due to high costs, with over half of America's 55.8 million seniors skipping at least one healthcare product or service in the past year [4]. Group 2: Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) - The current COLA formula is criticized for not accurately reflecting the rising healthcare costs faced by retirees, leading to a disconnect between income adjustments and actual expenses [5][6]. - The cost-of-living index used does not adequately track the specific medical expenses that retirees incur, which are a larger percentage of their yearly expenses compared to the general population [5].

RT Russ Greene (@GreenPlusAnE)Funny how these articles about copying China never recommend building 1000 coal power plants, or cutting Social Security and Medicare in half. ...

Core Insights - The average 65-year-old may need $172,000 in after-tax savings to cover healthcare expenses in retirement, with women generally requiring more due to longer life expectancy [1] - The median retirement savings for Americans is estimated at $87,000, which is significantly lower than the projected healthcare costs, raising concerns about financial preparedness for retirement [3][7] - A survey indicates that 64% of Americans fear running out of money in retirement, with the highest levels of concern among Generation X (70%) and millennials (66%) [4] Retirement Savings and Healthcare Costs - Fidelity Investments forecasts that the average retiree will need $172,000 for healthcare, highlighting the gap between savings and expected expenses [1] - If the median savings figure from 2022 grew by 55% as the S&P 500 did, it would rise to approximately $134,000, still insufficient for healthcare costs [2] - The Federal Reserve's data shows that the median savings balance is $87,000, which is inadequate when considering healthcare expenses [3] Financial Stress and Concerns - A National Endowment for Financial Education survey found that 88% of respondents felt financially stressed as 2026 approached, with 77% experiencing a financial setback in 2025 [9] - Rising costs of living, including utilities and groceries, contribute to the financial strain on retirees [8] Retirement Planning Considerations - Decisions regarding retirement timing, Social Security benefits, and potential relocation are critical and vary based on individual circumstances [10] - Social Security can be claimed as early as 62, but delaying benefits can increase payouts by approximately 8% per year, presenting a dilemma for retirees [12] - Selling a home can provide significant tax-free profits, which could alleviate financial pressures for retirees [14]

Core Viewpoint - Dr. Oz advocates for delaying retirement to enhance the U.S. economy and support Medicare and Social Security sustainability [2][7] Economic Impact - Delaying retirement by one year could potentially generate $3 trillion for the U.S. economy [3][7] - The average retirement age is currently 62.6 for women and 64.6 for men as of 2024 [3] Expert Opinions - Some experts, like Teresa Ghilarducci, argue that working longer may not necessarily boost economic productivity and that quality of life should also be considered [4][6][7] - Concerns exist that older workers may not contribute positively to productivity, especially if younger workers are not fully employed [6] Retirement Trends - The average retirement age has been increasing due to factors such as rising life expectancies and changes in job demands [6]

From @WSJopinion: Politicians refuse to fix the dysfunctions of Medicaid and Medicare. It’s easier to pound on the one Medicare program that actually includes an incentive to save money.https://t.co/jpz7sqsUCf ...

My hospital roommate didn't know what to do. Here I am, a board-certified internal medicine physician and former health insurance executive, which gave me a complete 360deree view of the entire American health care system and how it works. or so I thought until I became a patient and met my hospital roommate, Mia.Mia is a young mom of two very young children who shared with me that this was actually the second time she had to be admitted to the hospital for the same serious condition and that she was thinki ...

Core Insights - Gen Xers face significant financial challenges, having experienced multiple economic downturns and a shift from workplace pensions to self-funded retirement savings [2][4] Group 1: Financial Status of Gen Xers - The average 401(k) balance for Gen Xers is reported at $192,300, which translates to an annual income of approximately $7,700 using the 4% rule, not accounting for inflation [4] - Older Gen Xers may need to consider working longer to improve their retirement savings, with suggestions to delay retirement until age 65 or 67 [5][6] - Younger Gen Xers still have time to enhance their 401(k) contributions, with potential growth in savings if they continue to contribute [6][7] Group 2: Strategies for Improvement - Delaying Social Security benefits until age 70 can result in larger monthly payments for life, which is a strategy for older Gen Xers to consider [6] - For a 47-year-old Gen Xer with $192,300 saved, contributing $500 monthly with an 8% return could lead to a total balance of approximately $773,000 by age 62 [7] - Flexibility in retirement planning is crucial for all Gen Xers, especially if current savings are insufficient [8]

For many retirees, selling their home is one of the biggest financial windfalls they’ll see outside of work — especially if they’ve owned it for decades, given the rapid rise in home prices. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) at Harvard University — which used data from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances — median home equity for homeowners age 65 and over was about $250,000 that year. (1) As a result, selling the family home could feel like cashing in a lottery ticket. Must Read ...