Kenosha Senior Update 111419

ENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDAT senior retirement check increased to $1,225. But that increase did nothing to your
husband's benefit amount (your widows rate). It remains at $2,000 per
update month. So now instead of $800 in widows benefits, you are due $775. So

Mailbag Miscellany your portion of his benefit went down. But you still end up with $2,000 in
total benefits.
I usually like to have a theme to my columns. In
other words, I will generally just cover one topic Q: I'm confused about a column you recently wrote about
and present one or more questions from readers that Social Security and You retroactive benefits. You said if a guy delays benefits until age
are related to that subject. But every once in a while, by Tom Margenau 70 and then takes six months worth of retroactive benefits, he
I just like to open my email inbox and pick random would lose 4%. Do you mean he loses 4% for the retroactive period, but
questions to answer. Today's column is one of those.
his ongoing benefits would be at the full rate?
Q: I am 79 years old. I haven't worked in years, but last year, I did
make some money on the side selling some of my antique A: No. His benefitswould be
furniture. And now I got a letter from Social Security telling me
my own benefit is going up by $25 but my widows benefit is going down permanently reduced
by $25. This makes absolutely no sense to me. What do you think I should
do about this? by 4%. Let me explain that
further. You get a two-thirds of
A: You should just relax. It's really no big deal. Let me explain to 1% increase for each month
you what is happening.
you delay starting your Social
Like many women in this country, you are getting benefits from two Security after age 66. That
Social Security accounts. You are getting your own retirement benefit, and comes out to a 32% increase if
you are getting some additional money off of your deceased husband's
Social Security record. you wait until age 70. (There
are no increases after 70.) So if
You didn't give me the dollar amounts, but let's just say that you are due you apply for Social Security at
$1,200 in your own retirement benefits, and you are also due $2,000 in
widows benefits. As a general rule, when you are due two benefits, you age 70, but elect six months of retroactive benefits, it's as if you actually
don't get them both. You just get the one that pays the higher rate. So in this signed up for Social Security at age 69 and 6 months. And at age 69 and a
situation, you normally would just get a widows Social Security check for half, you get a 28% increase. So your ongoing benefit rate would be 128%
$2,000.
of your full rate, not 132%.
But there is a rule that says if you are due anything on your own work
record, you must be paid that first. So you are actually getting two benefits. Q: I am a 71-year-old divorced man. I am about to get married
You get your own $1,200 check. And you also get $800 from your again. My fiancee is 43. If I were to die, would she get any of
husband's account to take you up to the $2,000 widows rate you are due. my Social Security?
A: I'm sure there are some advantages to marrying a 43-year-old
(Depending on factors too complicated to explain in this short column, woman when you are a 71-year-old man. But leaving behind
some women would get two checks each month, and some would get both widows benefits isn't one of them. She would have to be 60
benefits combined in one check.) years old before she would be due any Social Security checks as a widow
on your record. So for both your and her sakes, let's hope that wedding
Because you made some extra money last year, those earnings bumped night doesn't give you a fatal heart attack!
up the amount of your own Social Security benefit -- you said by $25. So,
applying that to the numbers I used for my example, that means your own If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer.

Find his column in every issue of Your Smart Reader - available at most

grocery stores and pharmacies where you pick up Happenings
Magazine. Contact him at [email protected]. To find out

more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features
from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators

Syndicate website at www.creators.com

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(262)652-7963NIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE Medicare Enrollment Season Is Here!
032119 Make Sure You’re In The Right Plan
5320 Green Bay Rd. Kenosha, WI 111419
(NAPSI)—Medicare’s Annual Enrollment
trottieragency.com Period runs from October 15 to December 7,
2019. This is your yearly chance to shop for
insurance coverage that best meets your
needs. Here are five things to keep in mind
for Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period.

1. Review your 2020 coverage options.
Medicare Advantage plan details change each
year, so the policy that was the least
expensive or best match for you in 2019 may
not be right for 2020. Changes to premiums, deductibles and co-pays can
be costly. A recent eHealth analysis of people using eHealthMedicare.com
to compare Medicare plans found that fewer than one in ten were enrolled
in the lowest cost plan for their personal prescription drug regimen.

2. Look out for drug coverage changes. It’s common for insurance
companies to tweak their list of covered drug and prices. That can mean
higher out-of-pocket expenses. Check to make sure that the medications
you need are still covered by your plan in 2020, and pay close attention to
any special rules you need to follow to get the most coverage for your
medications. Online tools, including eHealthMedicare.com’s prescription
drug coverage comparison tool, can help you find the best option for 2020.

3. Make sure your doctors are still covered. The doctors and hospitals
that participate in your Medicare plan’s network often change each year as
well. Make sure your preferred providers are covered under your current
plan or any new plan that interests you. The amount you’ll pay when you
get care from a doctor or hospital that does not participate with your plan
will be higher than what you’ll pay if you stay within your plan’s network,
and some health insurers won’t cover out-of-network providers at all,
except in an emergency.

4. Compare benefits. Along with price comparisons, be sure to review
the full range of services and benefits offered by competing Medicare
plans. These can include everything from preferred pharmacy and mail-
order prescription discounts to dental, vision, hearing and even fitness
benefits.

5. Work with a professional to understand your choices. To make sure
you’re viewing a wide range of plans available on the market, work with
an expert in Medicare products that represents more than just one insurance
company. It doesn’t cost anything extra.

(262)898-9000 KENOSHAPAIN.COM

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Offering cost-effective quality care that is personalized for individual needs.

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Page 8 HAPPENINGS November 14, 2019 www.hap2it.com K

senior I'm realizing that I don't have that many years left to spend with my SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE • SENIOR UPDATE
family, but I can't help but feel dissatisfied. I've lived a long happy life for
update myself. But I don't feel that the next generation is setting a good example
for my descendants.
Dear Doug
Guest Etiquette How can I deal with the disappointment?

Q: My wife and I have always hosted Thanksgiving at our house. A: For your own sake, stop focusing on what other people
It's our favorite holiday, and we've always loved to have our "should" do. Part of passing the mantle onto the next generation
entire family in one place to enjoy one another's company. This is realizing that your successors have to find their own paths.
is the first year that we can't fulfill our tradition. I had a serious health scare Their lives are not your own.
earlier this year, and we made the decision to skip the stress of hosting a
large meal. Luckily, one of our children offered to host the dinner. They're Stop holding your loved ones up to your standards. Judge them by their
excited to take on our family's old traditions and are getting geared up for own goals and standards.
the opportunity. What makes a good holiday guest?
Ultimately, we have no control over others' actions; we can only affect
A: Apply the knowledge you've gained from hosting family ours. If you want change, rethink your own role and actions. Change your
holidays. As a host, what type of guests have you appreciated attitude and offer help and advice to enable your children. Holding them up
the most? That said, a few basic guidelines will help steer you to your standard is unlikely to bear fruit.
right. An important but overlooked rule is to show up at the appropriate
time. Use the time you have left to connect with younger generations. Share
your life wisdom with those who can benefit from it. Instead of looking to
Many families are pretty relaxed about timing on major events, critique, acknowledge the positive aspects of life. Disappointment and
especially when many people are gathering in the same place. However,
bad timing can get in the way of celebrations. pride are choices we make. -- Doug

Arriving early can put major stress on the hosts, especially if they're still Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a
arranging the house or hors d'oeuvres. Arriving late can put a damper on Southern California retirement community. You
holiday cheer, especially as the food grows cold or guests start to get can find his column in every issue of Your Smart
hungry and irritable. Make sure that no one has to wait for you to show up.
Even if guests are arriving at staggered intervals, avoid interfering with the Reader, available at most grocery stores and
planned mealtime. pharmacies where you find Happenings

If you bring a dish, let the host know ahead of time. This can help them Magazine. Contact him at [email protected].
plan their menu. Bringing an item or two can reduce the burden of cooking Emma, Doug's granddaughter, helps write this
and coordinating cook times. Avoid bringing a dish that needs extra
preparation before serving: The oven and serving dishes will be under column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry
heavy demand. and read features by other Creators
Syndicate writers and cartoonists
If you don't bring a dish, consider bringing a small host gift such as visit the Creators Syndicate website
flowers or a bottle of wine. Hosts appreciate a gesture acknowledging the at www.creators.com.
huge effort of taking on a holiday meal. When you're there, offer to help
out with the cooking or other small tasks. A small amount of effort can take
away a lot of the stress of hosting.

Most importantly, show up prepared to have a good time. Holidays
inevitably come with some chaos, and a pleasant attitude will get you
through with cheer. -- Emma

Dealing with Disappointment

Q: I'm frustrated with my family. Even though I love my children,
I feel like they aren't living up to their potential. Neither of my

children has been as successful in life as they should have been.

One had a nasty divorce and a string of bad relationships, and the other

hasn't been ambitious in her work life.

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(262) 583-5100
Ext. 1502

• Assisted Living • Memory Care • Respite Care Beautiful
Providing a safe and Specialists in memory Short term stays for Brand New
homelike environment. care. We tailor respite care or Construction
Offering Personalized care support to the resident recovery support. Call Today
& fostering independence ensuring continued
3 nutritious meals a day dignity, comfort & Respite care can be the for a Tour
plus snacks peace of mind.
Recreational & social best thing for you...and (262) 583-5100
activities
for your loved one. Ext. 1502

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