Senior Living
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America: Is learning about Medicare’s options stressing you?
Dear Toni,
I am an American turning 65 in September and am confused about my Medicare decision. I don’t know where to start or what to do.
Can you please help me with what my Medicare options are? Thanks, Toni.
—Stephanie from Orlando, Fla.
Hi Stephanie:
Don’t feel alone, because there is a person entering Medicare every 8 ...Read more
Social Security and You: No Magic Answers
There is probably no question I am asked more often than some version of this: "When should I file for Social Security?" And I've discerned from my emails over the years that there is no issue senior citizens fret over more than the answer to that question.
To answer it, many people prepare spreadsheets. They construct matrices. They buy books....Read more

Here’s the salary you need to claim the maximum $5,108 monthly Social Security benefit
The average Social Security benefit for a retired worker in February 2025 was $1,980 per month. That’s enough to help cover a few bills, but it’s far from what you may need for a comfortable retirement.
Many people dream of locking in the maximum Social Security benefit when they retire — and it’s easy to understand why. As the cost of ...Read more

After 2 decades of military service, 'the Viking sub' learned he had a tear in his aorta
During multiple tours in Afghanistan, Jeff Pharris conducted countless combat patrols and narrowly survived two bomb blasts. After 20 years of U.S. Army service as a communications specialist and combat advisor, he was honorably retired from active duty.
Soon after, he started substitute teaching at his local middle school and elementary school...Read more
How does Medicare’s fall enrollment affect me?
I’m stressed about what I need to do to enroll in Medicare because I am working part-time with no benefits, only individual health insurance. I turn 65 in November and need my Medicare and Part D plan to begin Nov. 1.
How does Medicare’s fall enrollment period affect me, since I will be applying for Medicare this fall? How can I ensure I...Read more
Social Security and You: Social Security Benefit Computation Tidbits
I've written many columns explaining how Social Security benefits are figured. So, I'm not really going to do that today. Instead, I'm going to answer some emails from readers that get into some quirky features of the whole process. But first, to set the stage, here is a fairly routine question.
Q: I'm in my late 50s and am starting to think ...Read more
Social Security and You: Social Security Administration Service Still Gets High Marks
Well, the votes are in. (Actually, they are still coming in, but I had to cut them off at some point and compile results.) Anyway, I'm shocked! Several weeks ago, I asked my readers to rate the service they got from the Social Security Administration in the form of stars: 5 stars for good service, down to 1 star for poor service. 148 of you ...Read more

Beautiful' bill cuts seniors' food stamps. That's ugly
When you’re in Washington, D.C., surrounded by fellow members of Congress, it’s probably easy to distance yourself from the human cost of your actions back home. So when the vote comes on a bill that will slash America’s largest anti-hunger program, you say yes.
In another era, it would have been a complete non-starter to go after a ...Read more

KC’s WWI Museum employs tech used at Vegas Sphere to bring war stories to life
The National WWI Museum and Memorial has undergone some big changes over the last three years. The latest is a one-of-a-kind, immersive exhibit to its already loaded walls.
Encounters, the new exhibit, uses storytelling bolstered by state-of-the-art audio and video technology to share first-person narratives from individuals whose lives were ...Read more

Florida seniors on food stamps are 'counting pennies.' Now, Congress is, too
MIAMI — Easing herself into the sofa in her Cutler Bay studio apartment, Alida Gonzalez said she’s been trying to relax recently. But, she continued, living in a daily state of “counting pennies,” particularly at the grocery store, takes its toll. And that’s even with the help of the roughly $100 she receives each month from the ...Read more
Get ready … hurricane season starts June 1
Dear Toni,
I am retired and have moved to North Carolina to help my mother and older brother, Johnny, rebuild our family home after the devastation from Hurricane Helene last September. My brother was not prepared, and so I need to help Johnny put together an emergency plan.
What can we do to be prepared for another hurricane, tornado or ...Read more

Travel Trending with Kathy Witt: Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I and Victory II make a historic and victorious return
This is the little ship that could. And did so, beautifully.
Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I made her much anticipated 2025 inaugural voyage in early April to the delight and enthusiasm of a large and loyal fanbase — many of whom were onboard for the voyage from Portland, Maine, to Toronto.
Leading up to this sailing, Victory I and sister ...Read more
Why did I have to sign a Medicare form in the ER?
Hello Toni:
I have Original Medicare with a Supplement. In March, I was ambulanced to the emergency room for heart issues. I had a big surprise when a hospital employee asked me to sign a Medicare form while I was waiting in the ER to see if I was to be admitted as an inpatient or sent home. I was lucky that the doctor sent me home.
Did I ...Read more

He recognized the signs of his own stroke – and got treated within 30 minutes
Jim Johnson woke up at his usual time of roughly 6 a.m. Something, though, was different.
His right side felt numb.
He shifted onto his back, thinking that changing positions would make a difference. It didn't.
"This could be bad," he said to himself.
He managed to get out of bed but noticed his right leg was dragging.
Definitely bad, he ...Read more
Social Security and You: Will Your Social Security Check Follow You if You Move Overseas?
I've been getting more than a few emails lately from folks who say they plan to move overseas. Some told me they just want to escape the political turmoil in this country. Others probably have a bad case of wanderlust. I'm sure others are just thinking about retiring and returning to their ancestral home, or perhaps still others see some of the ...Read more

Honey, sweetie, dearie: The perils of elderspeak
A prime example of elderspeak: Cindy Smith was visiting her father in his assisted living apartment in Roseville, California. An aide who was trying to induce him to do something — Smith no longer remembers exactly what — said, “Let me help you, sweetheart.”
“He just gave her The Look — under his bushy eyebrows — and said, ‘...Read more
Burnout is real. Experts say you should follow this advice to ease stress
MIAMI — Are you happy?
Happiness — laughing with loved ones, a purpose in life, something to look forward to — is a factor in whether a person will live a healthy and long life, experts say.
Eating healthy, sleeping well and staying active — critical lifestyle changes that can promote healthy aging — are easier to track. But ...Read more

In this senior league, where love of the game never gets old, softball is 'better than medicine'
PICO RIVERA, Calif. -- Infielder Eddie Castorena, 75, wore two braces under his Old Spice uniform, one for his knee and one for his back.
Big Red catcher Tony Spallino, 67, was moving pretty well behind the plate, hoping he won't need a second hip replacement.
His teammate Agustin Quezada, 83, limped through the dugout between innings, leaning...Read more
I’m turning 65 with retiree benefits … why do I need Part B?
Good day, Toni:
We saw your article about Medicare Part B enrollment in our local newspaper, but my wife’s and my Medicare enrollment situation is different. We will both turn 65 this year, me in June and Carol in September. I have signed up for Medicare Part A only and Carol will enroll for Part A soon.
I retired when I turned 63 with ...Read more

In this senior league, where love of the game never gets old, softball is 'better than medicine'
PICO RIVERA, Calif. -- Infielder Eddie Castorena, 75, wore two braces under his Old Spice uniform, one for his knee and one for his back.
Big Red catcher Tony Spallino, 67, was moving pretty well behind the plate, hoping he won't need a second hip replacement.
His teammate Agustin Quezada, 83, limped through the dugout between innings, leaning...Read more