News
If You're Retiring Early, an ACA Subsidy Now Could Be a Tax Headache Later
3+ hour, 15+ min ago (852+ words) Health care subsidies can be a valuable benefit in early retirement, but locking them in now can mean higher taxes later. Here's what you need to consider. Many people who retire before age 65 rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA)…...
We're retiring at 63 with $5. 7 million. My wife wants to buy long-term care insurance, but I want to self-insure. Who's right?
1+ week, 4+ day ago (974+ words) Even with our solid nest egg, it's not clear how we should pay for long-term care. Question: We're retiring at 63 with $5. 7 million. My wife wants to buy long-term care insurance, but it's very expensive. I think we can just self-insure....
Why Your Medicare Premiums Are $200 Higher Than They Should Be
1+ week, 5+ day ago (214+ words) Here's how overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans are driving up Part B costs for every Medicare beneficiary. This fiscal gap doesn't just impact the federal deficit; the alleged overpayments trigger a mandatory "premium pass-through" that forces those in original Medicare…...
Regret Your Move to Medicare Advantage? Two 'Safety Nets' Can Help: But Act Fast
2+ week, 4+ day ago (838+ words) Discover the federal protections (one expires on April 1) and state-level hurdles you'll face when switching from Medicare Advantage back to original Medicare. However, once that 12-month clock expires, the path back to original Medicare becomes significantly more treacherous in most…...
Prior Authorization for Traditional Medicare Patients Has Started in 6 States
9+ mon, 4+ day ago (519+ words) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented prior authorization requirements for certain traditional fee-for-service Medicare services in six states starting this year. Six states " New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Washington " were selected to use the…...
We're retired with $4. 6 million. My wife chose our Medicare Advantage plan for the $0 premium, but I want original Medicare's freedom. Is it too late?
3+ week, 5+ day ago (614+ words) Our Medicare Advantage plan limits coverage when we travel or see a specialist. How can I convince my wife to switch? Question: We are retired with $4. 6 million and are comfortable, but health care is still complicated and expensive. My wife…...
Ask the Editor, March 13: Questions on Medicare Premiums and IRMAA
4+ week, 2+ day ago (516+ words) In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, Joy Taylor answers five questions on monthly Medicare premiums, IRMAA and tax-deductible medical expenses. Each week in our Ask the Editor series, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter editor, answers questions on…...
Feeling Frustrated With Your Medicare Advantage Plan? You're Not Alone " Member Trust Is Falling
1+ mon, 5+ day ago (355+ words) Satisfaction with Medicare Advantage plans dropped last year, with overall satisfaction among members declining amid a drop in trust and policy changes. Sent five days a week Kiplinger A Step Ahead Sent twice a week Sent weekly for six weeks…...
How Medicare Advantage Soaks Taxpayers " and Retirees
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (342+ words) With private insurers set to receive $1. 2 trillion in excess payments by 2036, retirees may soon face a reckoning over costs and coverage. The latest comes from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, which projects $1. 2 trillion in overpayments over the…...
It's Time to Bust These 3 Long-Term Care Myths (and Face Some Uncomfortable Truths)
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (1231+ words) None of us wants to think we'll need long-term care when we get older, but the odds are roughly even that we will. Which is all the more reason to understand the realities of LTC and how to pay for…...