Expect a Little Better Service From Social Security Soon

If you’ve ever experienced a long wait to get help from the Social Security Administration, the agency has some good news for you: the pace is about to pick up a bit. Repeated cuts to the agency’s administrative budget over the past decade by Congress … Continue reading

Expect a Little Better Service From Social Security Soon

If you’ve ever experienced a long wait to get help from the Social Security Administration, the agency has some good news for you: the pace is about to pick up a bit. Repeated cuts to the agency’s administrative budget over the past decade by Congress … Continue reading

Shopping for the New Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits

Beginning this year and continuing into 2020, Medicare Advantage plans (ones from private insurers typically for people 65 and older) have increased flexibility to provide coverage for what the government calls supplemental benefits. These are services… Continue reading

OPINION: How the U.S. Could Afford Medicare for All

(This article originally appeared on The Conversation site.) Health care is Americans’ No. 1 priority, based on recent polls, so it’s no wonder it’s been a hot topic in the Democratic primary. Every candidate is offering a plan, ranging from Vice Presi… Continue reading

401(k) Early Withdrawals Will Be Easier: Be Careful!

Taking money out of your employer’s 401(k) plan while you’re still on its payroll is about to get easier. The federal government’s new rules about “economic hardship” withdrawals from retirement savings plans like 401(k)s go into effect in January 2020… Continue reading

Shopping for Medicare? What to Know About the New Plan Finder

(The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated its Medicare Plan Finder on October 9, 2019, to address one of the flaws that the Next Avenue story on October 8 had pointed out. The story now reflects that.) The Fall Open Enrollment Period for … Continue reading

Gov. Gavin Newsom: Creating a Master Plan for Aging in California

When he ran for governor of California in 2018, Democrat Gavin Newsom pledged that if he won, he’d create a Master Plan for Aging for the state and its residents. One reason: the Golden State’s 65+ population is projected to grow almost 90% by 2030, to… Continue reading

What to Read About Climate Change

(Climate change is a top election issue for Next Avenue readers. So, we’ve enlisted the expertise of Craig Miller, a science journalist who has been reporting on the subject since 2008. Here is his first article. Since this is a new topic area for us, … Continue reading

The ‘Badass Grandmas’ Who Fought Corruption and Won

When Dina Butcher’s 17-year-old grandson Owen and his friend Cole saw early promotional material from a group calling for tough anti-corruption reforms in North Dakota, Cole said: “Is that your Grandma? Wow, she’s a badass!” The “Badass Grandmas” monik… Continue reading

Short-Term Side Hustle: Becoming a Census Worker

Think of the gig economy and your mind probably turns to Uber and Lyft drivers and freelancers. But if you’re looking for a short-term side hustle with competitive wages ($13.50 to $30 an hour), you might want to apply for one of the new temp jobs from… Continue reading