Raising a Grandchild (Part 1)
It is estimated that 2.7 million grandparents are raising their minor grandchildren in their homes. The reasons for this are varied. The birth parents may be unable to care for their children because of physical or mental illness, substance abuse, incarceration, homelessness, poverty, or unemployment. In many
The Declining Pool of Caregivers
Another article, this time in the Wall Street Journal caught my eye the other day. It’s about how this country is running out of family caregivers at a time when the need for those caregivers is increasing. Some of my recent posts have included statistics showing the continued trend
Searching for a Support System (Part 3)
In last week’s blog post I explained some options for our hypothetical client, Jane Doe, who has a limited family and friend support system. Neighbors, friends from different walks of life and professionals both on the health care and legal/financial side can be alternatives. I have found
Searching for a Support System (Part 1)
I received a reader email a few weeks back asking me to write about aging seniors who have no family or friends to rely on. I wrote about this topic last January (see blog posts 1-2-17 and 1-9-17) but we are seeing the scenario with increasing frequency,
The Continuing Rise in Long Term Care Premiums
A few years ago I wrote about the number of clients calling our office who are getting notices of substantial rate increases on their long term care insurance policies. Since then it has been a problem that has only increased in frequency. An article this week in
What Happens When a Reverse Mortgage Borrower Dies
A home equity conversion mortgage, commonly known as a reverse mortgage, allows seniors to tap into the equity in their home. Unlike a traditional mortgage, the borrower does not make ongoing monthly payments to pay off the loan. Repayment is not required until the home is sold,
Preparing for a Natural Disaster
With all the news stories about Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the destruction caused to Texas, Florida and Caribbean islands, and their aftermath, one story caught my eye. The deaths of 8 nursing home residents in Hollywood, Florida highlights the especially vulnerable position that the elderly face in
What is a QLAC? (Part 2)
In last week’s post I told you about QLACs, qualified longevity annuity contracts. This week I’ll delve into the pros and cons. As I stated last week distributions under a QLAC begin at a specified starting date that you choose but no later than age 85. There
What is a QLAC?
Chances are a QLAC is not something you’ve heard of but over time that may change. It stands for Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract and it’s a relatively new investment option. The term “qualified” may be a tip off to some that it is a type of retirement account investment.
Anatomy of a Scam
As far as scams go, it is not one that will cause anyone to lose their life savings. Maybe calling it a scam is not entirely accurate. At the very least the letter Joan received was misleading and confusing. As part of an asset protection plan we placed Joan’s