what is the number 1 reason yahoo answer participants won't have medicare retirement benefits when they turn65
548668
I'm not a nurse and you see it first hand.  Your concern is legitimate. What I don't agree with is the second persons comment about getting a brain - there is actually life outside the USA. What all people need to understand is your life, my life, has concerns that involve where we live. We might care about what happens in other places in the world but we can't live our lives totally removed from where we are day to day. I think you have a life and have the right to voice your opinion. It is now something i am curious about and will look into.
318921
ohh don't get me started on the social security issue it pisses me off. i'm losing like a grand a year for someone else and the money won't even fuckin be there when it's my turn. there was actually a bill up for approval that would have allowed you to have your personal social security but it was rejected.
1026669
Did you know you have to work at the same job for at least 20 years to collect a pension, 30 years to collect a full pension and can't collect till you are 62...year after year the government takes your money and again you have to wait till you are in your 60's to get a small portion back from social security...hats off to people who worked hard all their lives and still have good health and able to work in their 60's & 70's!\nGreedy????
767240
Your friend is fortunate to have you!  Medicare --and the Part D prescription drug benefit --can be confusing.  To start, you might  check out the Medicare.gov website to find out basic information about Medicare.\n\nIf you would like more specific help in answering your questions from real people--I would recommend that you contact the Area Agency on Aging where you live. \n\nIf your friend is confused about the peculiarities of Medicare Part D, you would want to have the listing of all the prescriptions your friend is taking, the dosages prescribed and also the pharmacy that  your friend prefers to do business with. \n\nProfessionals at the Area Agency on Aging provide guidance in helping seniors like your friend--and their caregivers-- deal with the peculiarities of  Medicare every day. You and your friend will most likely find the professional staff there friendly and helpful--and they are not selling any particular Medicare plan or product. They will explain Medicare benefits and answer your questions in an easy-to-understand way. They also know the latest "scoop" on changes that are still happening with Medicare Part D in your state. (Yes, even now more changes are happening within these plans!)\n\nYour local Area Agency on Aging may also provide you some direction concerning your friend's need for a new computer. This may be a trickier problem to solve, yet, there probably is a solution-- and your Area Agency on Aging is a good place to start! \n\nIf you live in the United States or one of the territories, there is an Area Agency on Aging serving where you live. You can call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the one serving you. \n\nIf you do contact your local Area Agency on Aging and like the help that they give you, let your local county officials and your folks in Congress know. Area Agencies on Aging are funded under the Older Americans Act and they don't have big budgets for advertising. Your contribution to help provide this important information and assistance services to your older friends and neighbors would be appreciated--but is absolutely not necessary to get the help you and your friend are seeking. \n\nGood luck and best wishes!
478170
That depends, are you just poor, or just old, or just old and poor? Medicare is for the elderly and disabled, Medicaid is for the very poor. I think a healthy individual (non-disabled) can begin drawing Medicare at 65, the disabled can draw it any age. Medicaid you can get at birth, through age 18. After that, to get Medicaid you have to be a pregnant woman or elderly.
1017174
I would contact the Social Security Administration.  Congrats on finally hearing from them.  Many wait for years.  I only had to wait my 5 month waiting period.
301807
Are you near retirement for SS (62-65)?\n\nOr are you trying for SS disability benefits?\n\nIf you are trying for SSI then the following information may help:\n\nUnder SSI, income includes cash, checks, and other things you get\nthat can be used for food, clothing, or shelter. It even includes\nitems you wouldn't have to report for federal, state, or local\nincome taxes. Following are examples of income. \n\n* Wages from your job, whether in cash or another form; \n* Net earnings from your business if you're self-employed; \n* The value of food, shelter, or clothing that someone gives you,\n  or the amount of money they give you to help pay for them; \n* Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits;\n* Railroad retirement and railroad unemployment benefits;\n* Annuities, pensions from any government or private source,      \n  workers' compensation, unemployment insurance benefits, black   \n  lung benefits, and Social Security benefits; \n* Prizes, settlements, and awards, including court-ordered\n  awards; \n* Proceeds of life insurance policies; \n* Gifts and contributions; \n* Support and alimony payments; \n* Inheritances in cash or property; \n* Interest earned, including interest on savings, checking, and   \n  other accounts; \n* Rental income; \n* Strike pay and other benefits from unions.\n\nThe following items are not income. \n\n* Medical care and services; \n* Social services; \n* Receipts from the sale, exchange, or replacement of things you\n  own;\n* Income tax refunds; \n* Earned Income Tax Credit payments; \n* Payments made by life or disability insurance on charge\n  accounts or other credit accounts; \n* Proceeds of a loan; \n* Bills paid by someone else for things other than food,\n  clothing, or shelter;\n* Replacement of lost or stolen income; \n* Weatherization assistance.\n\nI left a resource link below.\n\nJeff\nhttp://www.Effective-Resume-Writing.com
830842
In 1936, the federal government published an informational pamphlet on Social Security.  It stated:   \n\n"…and finally, beginning in 1949, 12 years from now, you and your employer will each pay 3 cents on each dollar you earn, up to $3,000 a year.  That is the most you will ever pay."\n\nhttp://www.ssa.gov/history/ssn/ssb36.html\n-----\n\nHELL YES !!!\nBut I guess I'm just too stupid to take care of myself, so politicians will do it for me.  Yep, I'm too stupid to save my money properly.  Yep, I'm too stupid to buy the proper insurances to protect myself from unforeseen events.  Yep, I'm just too stupid.\n\n.
1139299
Look to the retirement states.  Arizona, Florida, Virginia, etc.  These folks are afraid of outliving their income hence annuities prevent this from happening, and provide more options for retired persons.  These folks also want to leave more money for the heirs as well and Annuities provide guar. growth with loss of principle.
290925
We Baby Boomers are getting old.  Therefore, anything which deals with the needs of seniors is a growing field.  Medical professions, of course, and leisure time activities, hobbies, entertainment suitable to seniors.  \n\nOne area of growing interest is collectibles.  We all had so much stuff run through our fingers that we now wish we could have back.  There's a book out for doll collectors titled "I Had That Doll!"  The exclamation point in the title tells it all:  I let it get away from me, and I want it back.  Only now, it's very expensive.\n\nAnother important field is investments.  We mostly all have fears that the Social Security system will be a joke by the time we get to it, if it isn't already.  We have IRAs and 401Ks, and we need young, savvy, computer literate investment counselors to help us stop being afraid of old age and running out of money.  (Come to think of it, the collectibles field is also an investment field, if done with smarts.)
251662
I wouldn't count on it.  If you're young, you don't need to depend on receiving SS when you retire.  It would be a wise idea to participate in your employer's retirement program or invest some money some way so that you are preparing for your future.
101632
THis sign up system was designed for 40 year olds, unfortunately the age in which one must sign up is 65 and up.  How many people at that age use a computer.  The cast majority of elderly do not use a computer, or are in too poor of health to make a decision or learn to use a computer/  I do not know who all is to blame but it is a shame that all this oney was spent when anyone could have told them it was going to fail.
1135716
Usually Parts A and B are good enough but with the new part D that can get confusing. I work with medicare health claims, and i would suggest not getting a medicare HMO.
719922
Medicare coverage does not allow a Maximum Plan Benefit Coverage expenditure limit.\n\nBut, some hospital benefits are limited.  For example, if you are in the hospital for >60 days, you pay not only the inpatient deductible amount, but additional copays for day 61 and after.\n\nMuch more info here http://www.medicare.gov/spotlights.asp#medicare2006
371431
It has always been my experience that people who dont want to pay are not worth working for.Senior citizens that want a challenge can get plenty of those by volunteering for the Red Cross or any one of a thousand charity orgs.That's where you can find most of them right now.
954705
Most US citizens get Medicare Part A for free when they turn 65 (or if disabled).  You then get the option to pay $88 a month for Part B (which you do).  This will cover 80% of most medical procedures, hospital stays, and doctor visits.  The other 20% gets paid by you, unless you get a supplemental insurance policy which I would highly recommend.  If you have private insurance or an HMO through your retirement (check to see if they will drop you when you turn 65) Medicare becomes the primary and they become the secondary.  If you don't have to pay for that coverage, keep it.  If you do, or they will drop you at 65, or your insurance doesn't come with retirement, look into a supplemental policy about 6 months before you turn 65.\n\nMedicaid is Welfare health care for the severely impoverished.  You must have very limited assets to qualify.  They will pay for your doctor bills, prescriptions, and long term care facility, but they want you to be completely broke, and if you own a house they will put a lein on it.  Stay away from Medicaid if you can afford to.\n\nHope that helps.  Contact an insurance company in your area that offer supplements about 6 months from your 65th b-day and get quotes.  Go with one that the agent provides and processes your claims.  Much easier for you in the later years when you may not be able to deal with the paperwork.  State Farm, Bankers Life & Casualty, Mutual of Omaha those are some of the big ones.
1135460
Most people over 60 are looking to retire in the next 5 to 10 years, if not sooner. Now any individual may be an exception to this, but Generally speaking, most people of that age will not be with an employer very long.  I know I plan to retire at that age, myself.  Because of this, many employers are not willing to spend the time, energy, and money necessary to train someone who will probably not be with the company in 5 or 10 years.  I'm not saying it is the right attitude for an employer to have, I'm just saying that is the typical mindset.  People over 60, even healthy ones, have historically had more medical costs too, which is a drain on a Corporation's insurance plan.