New Medicaid and VA Figures for 2016 #2016Medicaidnumbers
Each year, many of the programs that, as elder law attorneys, we deal with daily, such as VA Aid and Attendance and Medicaid, are adjusted for inflation through a cost of living adjustment. For 2016, the Social Security Administration announced that Social Security recipients will receive no increase, the
Medicare Numbers for 2016 #Medicare2016
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid has announced 2016 numbers for Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurances. Once again, the basic Medicare Part B premium will remain the same at $104.90. That number has not changed for the past 3 years. However, approximately 30% of beneficiaries will receive an increase
Major Changes to Social Security on the Horizon (Part 2) #SocialSecuritychanges
Last week we were discussing some of the changes to Social Security that will be happening in 2016. Let’s look at some more. Under current rules, if a married beneficiary applies for Social Security benefits between age 62 and full retirement age (currently 66), he/she will receive whichever is
Major Changes to Social Security in 2016
Budget negotiations between Congress and President Obama have resulted in some significant changes to Social Security that will take away some of the strategies that married couples can use to increase their benefit payouts. The “File and Suspend” strategy will be gone by May, 2016. Under this option the
I Just Got a Rate Increase on my Long Term Care Insurance Policy (Part 3)
Last week I was reviewing with you Jim’s dilemma. He received a notice of a rate increase frin his long term care insurance company. I went through with you the options outlined in that letter. For some people in Jim’s situation Option B may be the way to go,
I Just Got a Rate Increase on my Long Term Care Insurance Policy (Part 2)
Last week I was telling you about a call we get with increasing frequency. Jim received a letter notifying him of a rate increase of 60% on his long term care insurance premium. He wanted to know what he should do. The letter explained that the increase is not
I Just Got a Rate Increase on my Long Term Care Insurance Policy
It’s a call we are getting with increasing frequency. Jim just received a letter from his long term care insurance company that they are increasing his premium by a whopping 60%. If that’s not bad enough, the letter warns that he should expect further increases in future years. Jim
Estate Planning – Changing as We Age (Part 4)
Last week I was telling you why the New Jersey probate process can be easy but the tax waiver system designed to protect the State’s ability to collect estate and inheritance tax can tie up your money for years. That’s because the law requires financial institutions to freeze ½
Estate Planning – Changing as We Age (Part 3)
Last week I was talking about what we call senior estate planning and something called a tax waiver. New Jersey probate – the process of administering an estate after someone dies – is easy in some respects but not so easy in others. Let’s go back to Jack and
Estate Planning – Changing as We Age (Part 2)
Last week we were talking about how estate planning and what’s in your legal documents need to change as you age. Our hypothetical couple, Jack and Diane, have reached their 60’s. The focus of their plan needs to shift to what we call senior estate planning. One of the