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2 12, 2021

What It Means to Need ‘Nursing Home Level of Care’ for Medicaid Eligibility

By |2021-12-02T11:05:48-05:00December 2nd, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

When applying for Medicaid’s long-term care coverage, in addition to the strict income and asset limits, you must demonstrate that you need a level care typically provided in a nursing home.  

2 12, 2021

Medicare Premiums to Increase Dramatically in 2022

By |2021-12-02T11:05:48-05:00December 2nd, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

Medicare premiums are rising sharply next year, cutting into the large Social Security cost-of-living increase. The basic monthly premium will jump 15.5 percent, or $21.60, from $148.50 to $170.10 a month.

2 12, 2021

IRS Issues Long-Term Care Premium Deductibility Limits for 2022, and They Look Pretty Familiar

By |2021-12-02T11:05:48-05:00December 2nd, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the amounts taxpayers of different ages can deduct from their 2022 income as a result of buying long-term care insurance, and the figures are almost the same as in 2021.

4 11, 2021

In 2022, Social Security Beneficiaries Will See the Biggest Increase in 39 Years

By |2021-11-17T06:01:30-05:00November 4th, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

Rising inflation due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means that in 2022, Social Security benefits will go up 5.9 percent, the sharpest upsurge since 1983. 

4 11, 2021

Better Than No Loaf: Medicaid Planning Using “Half a Loaf” Strategies

By |2021-11-17T06:40:00-05:00November 4th, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

While it is preferable to conduct long-term care planning well in advance of needing care, if you haven’t planned ahead, there are some strategies available to avoid spending all your assets. 

4 11, 2021

Hiring a Caregiver: Should You Employ One Yourself or Go Through an Agency?

By |2021-11-04T10:39:48-05:00November 4th, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

Many families will eventually have to hire a caregiver to look after an aging relative. There are two main ways to hire someone: directly or through a home health agency.

4 11, 2021

COVID Vaccination Information Added to Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare Site

By |2021-11-17T07:02:21-05:00November 4th, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

Individuals who are researching nursing homes can now see staff and resident vaccination rates along with other quality and safety measure information at Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare website.  

4 10, 2021

It’s Medicare Open Enrollment Time: Is Your Plan Still Working for You?

By |2021-10-04T13:35:57-05:00October 4th, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

Every year during Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7, Medicare gives beneficiaries a window of opportunity to shop around and determine if their current Medicare plan is still the best one for them. 

4 10, 2021

Online Survey Helps Older Adults Assess Their Financial Vulnerability

By |2021-10-04T13:35:57-05:00October 4th, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

All older Americans are vulnerable to financial abuse, but there are circumstances that make someone more likely to be scammed. An online survey can help older adults assess their risk of being exploited based on how they make financial decisions. 

4 10, 2021

Social Security Shortfalls Are Predicted to Begin a Year Earlier Due to the Pandemic

By |2021-10-04T13:35:57-05:00October 4th, 2021|Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Family Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Retirement Accounts, Special Needs, Taxes, Trust Administration, Wills & Probatesssss|

The Social Security trustees are projecting that the Social Security trust fund will be depleted in 2033 -- one year earlier than the previous estimates. Once the fund is depleted, Social Security benefits will be reduced unless Congress takes action.