Those who have reached age 65, the typical age of Medicare eligibility, often have more time to spend traveling.  Although Medicare coverage is generally not available when beneficiaries are overseas, the news may be better for those exploring destinations closer to home. If you have the original Medicare, the answer is simple: You can travel anywhere in the U.S. or its territories and receive health services from any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.  (“Territories” includes

As the U.S. population ages, more non-lawyers are starting businesses that offer Medicaid planning services to seniors. While using one of these services may be cheaper than hiring a lawyer, the ultimate costs may be far greater. If you use a non-lawyer to do Medicaid planning, they may not have any legal knowledge or training. Bad advice can lead seniors to purchase products or take actions that won’t help them qualify for Medicaid and may actually

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling for a review of the so-called fiduciary rule, which was intended to prevent financial advisers from steering their clients to bad retirement investments by requiring these advisers to act in the best interests of their clients. The order delays the rule, which was scheduled to go into effect in April 2017, and the rule may ultimately be repealed. Prompted by concern that many financial advisers have a

Saying that there has been “undue influence” is often used as a reason to contest a will or estate plan, but what does the term mean? Undue influence occurs when someone exerts pressure on an individual, causing that individual to act contrary to his or her wishes to the benefit of the influencer or the influencer’s friends. The pressure can take the form of deception, harassment, threats or isolation. Often the influencer separates the individual from

Passing down a Roth IRA can seem like a good idea, but it doesn’t always make the most sense. Before converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA to benefit your heirs, you should consider the tax consequences. Earnings in a traditional IRA generally are not taxed until they are distributed to you. At age 70 1/2 you have to start taking distributions from a traditional IRA. By contrast, contributions to a Roth IRA are taxed,

Assisted living facilities are a housing option for people who can still live independently but who need some help.  Costs for these facilities can range from $2,000 to more than $6,000 a month, depending on location.  Medicare won’t pay for this type of care, but Medicaid might.  Almost all state Medicaid programs will cover at least some assisted living costs for eligible residents. Unlike with nursing home stays, there is no requirement that Medicaid pay for

Giving your house to your child or children can have tax consequences, but there are ways to accomplish this tax-free. The best method to use will depend on your individual circumstances and needs. Leave the house in your will The simplest way to give your house to your children is to leave it to them in your will. In 2017, as long as the total amount of your estate is under $5.49 million it will not

“Annuity doublers” are being touted as a new alternative to long-term care insurance. But are they a good idea? Long-term care plans have become much more expensive lately, pricing many older people out of the market. As an alternative, some companies are offering annuities that have a “nursing home doubler.” With this option, the amount of monthly annuity income you would normally receive is doubled during any period you’re in a nursing home, which will help

Seniors who are dependent on others due to illness, disability or cognitive impairments may be susceptible to financial abuse and fraud. The culprits may be outside predators, hired caregivers, or in some cases even relatives. If you or a family member is increasingly dependent, there are some simple but important steps you can take to reduce the chance of abuse. The most important step is to have a trusted family member or friend be involved in