Social Security 2016

SOCIAL SECURITY 2016

The Future of Social Security | Survivor Benefits | Taxable Benefits Retirement Accounts | Spousal Coverage | And More An advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News

S at u r d ay, August 2 7, 2016

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Timing counts when it comes to your social security benefit Social Security can be one of your most valuable retirement assets. The decision of when you start taking your benefit impacts how much you’ll receive.

Call or visit today, and learn how your decision impacts your overall retirement income strategy.

Final decisions about Social Security filing strategies always rest with you and should always be based on your specific needs and health considerations. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

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Sat u r d ay, Au g ust 2 7 , 2 0 1 6

The Future of Social Security

Kirk Larson | Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist

Social Security Board of Trustees Annual Report The Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report in June regarding the long-term financial status of the Social Security Trust Funds. The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds are projected to become depleted in 2034, the same as projected last year, with 79 percent of benefits payable at that time. The DI Trust Fund will become depleted in 2023, extended from last year’s estimate of 2016, with 89 percent of benefits still payable.

In the 2016 Annual Report to Congress, the Trustees announced: The asset reserves of the combined OASDI Trust Funds increased by $23 billion in 2015 to a total of $2.81 trillion.

The combined trust fund reserves are still growing and will continue to do so through 2019. Beginning in 2020, the total cost of the program is projected to exceed income. The year when the combined trust fund reserves are projected to become depleted, if Congress does not act before then, is 2034 – the same as projected last year. At that time, there will be sufficient income coming in to pay 79 percent of scheduled benefits. “Now is the time for people to engage in the important national conversation about how to keep Social Security strong. The public understands the value of their earned benefits and the importance of keeping Social Security strong for the future.� Said Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security.

Other highlights of the Trustees Report include: Total income, including interest, to the combined OASDI Trust Funds amounted to $920 billion in 2015.

Total expenditures from the combined OASDI Trust Funds amounted to $897 billion in 2015. There were about 60 million beneficiaries at the end of the calendar year.

Non-interest income fell below program costs in 2010 for the first time since 1983. Program costs are projected to exceed non-interest income throughout the remainder of the 75-year period.

During 2015, an estimated 169 million people had earnings covered by Social Security and paid payroll taxes.

The cost of $6.2 billion to administer the Social Security program in 2015 was a very low 0.7 percent of total expenditures.

The combined Trust Fund asset reserves earned interest at an effective annual rate of 3.4 percent in 2015.

View the 2016 Trustees Report at www.socialsecurity.gov/ OACT/TR/2016.

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S at u r d ay, August 27, 2016

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3 Tips for Speaking with a Loved One with Hearing Loss

Dr. Anne Simon, Audiologist | Simon Audiology & Tinnitus

This is a common story I hear from my patients. Let’s call the husband, Ben, and the wife, Sharon (and I could just as easily reverse the roles for this story). To Sharon’s delight, Ben, “finally� gets a pair of hearing aids. But, Sharon is still frustrated with Ben because he doesn’t acknowledge her when she speaks from a room or two away.

What words we read. What sounds we listen to. What objects we look at. It’s not all that surprising that your loved one could be unprepared to give you his attention without a little tap on the shoulder. Use their name. Make eye contact. Touch them gently.

Sharon can tell the hearing aids are working because Ben is more comfortable and engaged in social situations. The sound of the TV is at a comfortable volume. Ben takes phone calls again.

Hearing is the key to relationships. And Ben and Sharon have taken only the first step to rebuilding what was lost due to Ben’s hearing loss. Hearing loss creates habits. Some of those habits don’t serve the relationship.

Hands off. When talking, keep your hands away from your face. It can block all of those great visual cues.

The new habits I teach Ben and Sharon would be helpful to anyone who has a loved one with hearing loss.

Gain attention before talking. We all make decisions constantly about what we are going to give our attention to.

Once you have eye contact, maintain it. Facial expressions and body language add vital information to verbal communication. This may be a surprise for you, but we all lip read, naturally. It’s not just reserved for those with hearing loss. Lip-reading helps us to understand speech, especially in difficult to hear, noisy situations. This leads us to our next tip.

If you have a loved one with hearing loss, give these habits a try. It’s OK if you are out of practice. Habits are formed over time, and often beyond our notice. Every now and then we could all use a gentle reminder.

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Sat u r d ay, Au g ust 2 7 , 2 0 1 6

Count on Social Security Survivor Benefits To Protect Your Family

Kirk Larson | Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist

Tragedy strikes without warning. For families who lose a wage earner, it can have a devastating financial impact in addition to the emotional one.

Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin says that Social Security touches the lives of every American, often in times of tragedy and uncertainty. It’s true. Our programs go beyond retirement and disability benefits. Social Security helps care for the surviving families of deceased entitled workers.

If you work, some of the Social Security taxes you pay now go toward survivors benefits for workers and their families. In the event of your death, certain family members — widows, widowers (including your divorced spouse), children and dependent parents — may be eligible for survivors benefits.

Today, in Washington State, there are over 110,000 widows/ widowers and children receiving monthly benefits. The average payment is just over $1,200 per month. Social Security’s survivors benefits may be more valuable than your

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The benefit amount your family is eligible for depends on your average lifetime earnings. The more you earned, the more their benefits will be. Check your Social Security Statement to see an estimate of survivors benefits we could pay. You can create a secure my Social Security account to access your Statement anytime and see an estimate of these benefits.

In certain circumstances, we also make a one-time payment of $255 to your spouse or child if you’ve worked long enough. Survivors must apply for this payment within two years of the date of death.

For more information about how Social Security’s survivor benefits visit our website at www.SSA.GOV. No one likes to think about death, but, unfortunately, it’s inevitable. When it happens, know that you can count on Social Security to be there for your loved ones.

Social Security won’t cover everything.

Do you have a plan?

When it comes to funeral costs, Social Security pays very little, leaving your family with unexpected payments.

Pre-planning provides you with the time needed to make practical, detailed decisions that reflect your standards, lifestyle, taste and budget. We can advise you of the total cost, and the funds you set aside today can help your family in the future.

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S at u r d ay, August 27, 201 6

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Social Security’s Programs Are As Diverse As Those We Serve

Kirk Larson | Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist

From women and children, to the elderly and disabled, Social Security has you covered. Because we value and appreciate the differences that make up our nation, our programs are as diverse as those we serve. We’re with you throughout every stage of your life, and we’re always working to provide services that meet your changing needs.

Social Security administers the largest disability program in the nation. A severe illness or injury robs a person of the ability to work and earn a living. Thankfully, Social Security disability benefits can provide a critical source of financial support during a time of need. For more on disability benefits, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

Our programs serve as vital financial protection for millions of people. When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits. These credits count toward retirement, disability, and survivors benefits. In Washington State today, there are over 1,274,495 people receiving monthly payments. That is over 19.8 billion dollars per year.

When a family loses a wage earner, it can be both emotionally and financially devastating. However, Social Security can help secure a family’s financial future if a loved one dies with survivor benefits. The best thing you can do for your family is prepare as much as possible: get started at www.socialsecurity.gov/survivors.

A program everyone should be familiar with is Social Security’s retirement program. Whether you’re a young adult paying Social Security taxes for the first time or a retiree receiving benefits, this is a program that will affect you during and after your working years. You can learn more about your earnings and potential benefits by visiting www.ssa.gov/retire.

Social Security’s programs are neutral regarding gender, age, race, and orientation — individuals with identical earnings histories and needs are treated the same in terms of benefits. We’re proud the diverse public we serve reflects the programs we offer. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov today to see how we can serve you and secure your today and tomorrow.

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What To Do With Your Retirement Account Before The Next Economic Downturn

MetroCreative

One of the biggest quandaries men and women face during a recession or economic downturn is how to approach their retirement accounts, most notably a 401(k). When the economy begins to struggle, men and women may notice their 401(k) plans are struggling right along with it, losing money that most were counting for their retirements. This can induce a certain degree of panic, as account holders worry about their financial futures and how they are going to get by should the recession last and their retirement accounts continue to shrink.

To avoid succumbing to financial stress, consider the following tips to protect your retirement accounts should the economy once again take a turn for the worse. · Pay attention to your portfolio. Young people just beginning their professional careers are often told to enroll in a 401(k) program as soon as possible, but to avoid making any changes in the near future once the account has been set up. While no investors, young or old, should allow a knee-jerk reaction after a bad financial quarter to dictate how they manage their retirement accounts, that doesn’t mean you should ignore an account entirely. Pay attention to your portfolio, examining it at least once per year so you can make adjustments to your investments if need be. Just don’t allow a sudden reaction to a bad quarter dictate these adjustments, which should only be made after a careful examination of your retirement account’s portfolio and its performance. If you’re happy with the performance, don’t change a thing.

· Spread the money around. When contributing to a retirement account such as a 401(k), the standard is to deposit 6 percent of each paycheck into that account. If you’re depositing more than 6 percent into your retirement account, consider decreasing your retirement contribution to the standard amount and depositing the extra money into a high-interest savings account. The savings account won’t put your deposits at risk, and if the economy is faring well, you will still be doing well with your 401(k) while ensuring some of your money won’t suffer should the economy suddenly take a turn for the worse.

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· Reduce your risk as you age. Financial experts can often predict when the economy will thrive and when it will struggle.

But unless you are such an expert, avoid playing with fire. As you age, reduce your risk with regard to your investments.

Young people can afford to take on more risk because they have more time to make up for a risk that doesn’t work out.

Men and women age 50 and older have no such luxury and should reconfigure their retirement accounts as they age so their investments are less risky and more conservative.

S at u r d ay, August 27, 2016

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Will Working Longer Help or Hinder Your Social Security Benefit?

Sponsored by Schrette & Lee Wealth Management

Continued earnings could increase your Social Security benefit depending on your situation. One thing is for sure: working part-time at reduced pay will never cause your benefit to go down.

Continued earnings could increase your Social Security benefit depending on your situation. One thing is for sure: working part-time at reduced pay will never cause your benefit to go down.

A common question among people in their 60s is this: If I keep working, will my Social Security benefit go up?

An even more common question is this: If I take a part-time job at a lower salary, will it cause my Social Security benefit to go down?

To answer these questions, you need to have a basic understanding of how benefits are calculated. First, your benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. When your primary insurance amount (PIA) is calculated at age 62, the

Social Security Administration (SSA) tallies up all of your earnings as reported by your employers over the years (or as reported on your tax return if you are self-employed). Each year’s earnings are multiplied by an indexing factor to adjust for inflation. For example, annual earnings of $25,000 in 1980 might count for $90,000 after indexing.

The highest 35 years of inflation-adjusted earnings are totaled and divided by 420 to come up with the average indexed monthly earnings, or AIME. The AIME is then multiplied by three different percentages (called “bend points”) to determine the primary insurance amount. These bend points are adjusted for inflation and are different for each age cohort.

If you worked more than 35 years, the excess years would

Find out which of the 567 ways to claim Social Security can maximize your retirement benefits.

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Schrette & Lee Wealth Management has no connection or affiliation with the Social Security Administration, the Health Care Financing Administration or the Department of Health and Human Services.

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not be counted. If you worked fewer than 35 years, the missing years would be filled in with zeroes. So the question is this: what effect will additional earnings have on your earnings record for Social Security purposes? The answer depends on which category you fall into: 1) You already have 35 years of earnings. If you already have at least 35 years of earnings, an additional year of earnings will go onto your earnings record as usual. If the additional earnings are higher than the lowest year of earnings, the lower year will drop off and your AIME will be adjusted to account for the new year of higher earnings.

If the additional earnings are lower than any of the 35 years of earnings already on your record – say you take a part-time job and earn less than you were making before – it will have no effect on your Social Security benefit because those lower earnings will simply not be counted.

2)You do not have 35 years of earnings.Let’s say you got a late start in your careeror took time out of the work force to raisechildren. When your earnings record istallied up, there may be fewer than 35years of earnings. In this case, the missingyears will be filled in with zeroes. The totalwill still be divided by 420 (the number ofmonths in 35 years), and this will cause yourAIME to be lower than if you had 35 yearsof positive earnings. So for you, workinglonger can replace some of those zeroes andimprove your Social Security benefit.

Let’s face it. Any additional wages you might earn immediately before or after retirement would be valued mostly for the earnings themselves: The additional income will allow you to draw less from your retirement accounts, and if you don’t need it all for spending you may even be able to create a bigger cushion for yourself.

But Social Security adds up, especially if you maximize Social Security’s lifetime, inflation-adjusted income by living a long life. Even people who already have 35 years of high earnings might see some benefit. Here’s why: those early earnings, even though they are inflation-adjusted for the AIME, still count for less than you may be earning today. Replacing a year of lower earnings might cause your PIA to go up by only about $15 per month. But when you add in delayed credits for applying after full retirement age, and cost-of-living adjustments over your (and your surviving spouse’s) lifetime, it adds up.

The point is that even if you have a history of maximum earnings for Social Security purposes, working longer will never cause your benefit to go down, and it may even cause it to go up. And if you have a few zeroes on your earnings record, you can only improve your Social Security benefit by continuing to work.

Elaine Floyd, CFP®, is Director of Retirement and Life Planning for Horsesmouth, LLC, where she focuses on helping people understand the practical and technical aspects of retirement income planning.

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What’s Next After Retirement?

MetroCreative

Scores of people spend their working days dreaming of the moment they are eligible for retirement. They may have retirement counted down to the minutes and seconds, particularly if they’ve been in a job that hasn’t been the most enjoyable. But many people find that once they retire they do not know what to do to fill their time. Boredom actually may be a side effect of retirement, and some people actually want to go back to work.

Much of the focus when planning for retirement concerns finances. All other factors take a backseat. Therefore, there may be emotional issues that arise during retirement, and retirees are not always prepared to deal with such issues. Having a post-retirement plan in place can mean the difference between happiness and having a hard time adjusting, according to experts. Here are some tips that can help anyone ease into the golden years. · Establish goals. After working for years, the idea of setting goals can seem counterintuitive. But goals can give life direction and have you looking forward to things in the future. Goals also motivate retirees to get up in the morning now that a commute to work isn’t part of the daily schedule. · Donate time or money. Giving back to others, whether to the community or to a charitable organization, can feel good and give

retirees some structure. Volunteering your time at a place can give life some sort of purpose outside of a job. · Start a home-based business.Just because you retire doesn’t mean you have to fully retire. Now may be the opportunity to start a business venture you have always dreamed about, whether that is something hands-on or just serving as a consultant. · Try new things. Part of goal-setting is to add things to the list you’ve never done before, which can boost feelings of excitement. You may discover a new interest that becomes a passion. Now that you have time to explore new hobbies, they might prove more rewarding. · Meet with people. Part of what makes work fulfilling is the opportunity to get out of the house and interact with others who are not members of your family. It’s easy to fall into a rut when you are not being mentally stimulated by conversation from different people. · Realize it’s alright not to love retirement. Just because the grass seemed greener in someone else’s yard, doesn’t mean it always turns out to be that way. It is OK to accept that maybe retirement isn’t entirely what you expected and to make changes that can enable the experience to be better.

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Are Your Social Security Benefits Taxable?

Kirk Larson | Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist

If you have recently begun receiving Social Security benefits or plan to apply in the near future, you may be wondering: are Social Security benefits taxable?

The short answer is: sometimes.

Some people have to pay Federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return) in addition to your Social Security benefits.

There is never a case when a person pays tax on more than 85 percent of his or her Social Security benefits, based on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules. Now, let’s get down to the numbers.

If you file a federal tax return as an individual and your income is between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50 percent of your benefits. If your income is more than $34,000, then up to 85 percent of your

benefits may be taxable.

If you are married and you file a joint return, and your combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50 percent of your benefits.

If your combined income is more than $44,000, then up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable.

If you think you are going to pay income taxes on your Social Security Benefits, you can request that part of your monthly payment be withheld by calling our toll free number 800-772-1213.

In January, you will receive a Social Security Benefit Statement (SSA-1099) showing the amount of the benefits you received last year. You can use this statement, when completing your federal income tax return to find out whether some of your benefits are subject to federal income tax. If you didn’t receive it, you can request one at www.socialsecurity. gov/1099.

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Hobbies for the Golden Years MetroCreative

Whether retirement is on the horizon or has already begun, more free time equates to an increased opportunity to fill your days with enjoyable activities.

Individuals facing busy schedules are often forced to push hobbies to the sidelines, as more pressing things, such as a job, household responsibilities, and parenting tasks, are accomplished. Once retirement arrives, a newfound freedom in your schedule may occur, and there can be plenty of hours to devote to the hobbies and pastimes you find enjoyable.

According to research, hobbies can have many benefits. They may serve as an emotional outlet or a way to relax. Hobbies can keep the mind and hands active. They also allow for quiet time and mind wandering -- which can free up creative thinking.

Hobbies can also serve as a means to connecting with people and opening up new groups of friends.

There are many hobbies you can consider, depending on physical health and abilities. These may be hobbies you once enjoyed in the past or new activities to expand your horizons. And hobbies need not be crafty in the traditional sense, just about any activity -- even being a mentor -- can be a form of a hobby.

When deciding on a hobby, you can first take an inventory of your skills and interests. If you have always been handy around

wood and construction, perhaps a woodworking hobby will be enjoyable and also may work as a source of income revenue.

Other activities that require the use of the hands and mind include knitting, needlepoint, painting, puzzles, quilting, scrapbooking, and crocheting. These can keep the mind active and improve dexterity and fine motor skills.

Next, you may want to consider the costs surrounding a hobby.

While something like taking photos may have relatively low costs, collectibles, exotic sports, sports cars, and travel could become expensive. It’s important to weight the costs against your finances to ensure that you will be financially comfortable while engaging in this particular hobby.

Explore what your friends are doing. If you want to get into a new hobby, ask neighbors and friends what they do to keep busy -- and try it out. You just may find that you’re naturally inclined to do this type of activity and enjoy it.

Visit a local hobby shop or craft store and browse through the aisles. See where your attention is drawn and give that activity a try. From building model trains to cultivating an herb garden, there are dozens of ideas to try.

Remember, the days are now yours to fill, so enjoy them.

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Your Spouse May Be Covered

By Social Security

Kirk Larson | Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist

If you have a spouse who does not earn an income or who earns less than you do, your spouse (including a same-sex spouse) may be entitled to Social Security spouse’s benefits based on your record.

not decrease your benefit amount.

If you have already reached full retirement age, you can apply for retirement benefits and request to have the payments suspended until as late as age 70. This would let you earn delayed retirement credits that will mean higher payments later, but still would allow your spouse to receive a spouse’s benefit on your record.

Social Security can be an important financial asset for married couples when the time comes to apply for retirement benefits. In many cases, one spouse may have earned significantly more than the other, or may have worked longer.

People can also apply for spouse’s benefits based on Or it could be that one spouse stayed home to do the work the earnings record of an ex-spouse if married for at least of raising the children, caring for elderly family members, or 10 years. Spouses can consider a number of options and managing the household while the other focused on a career. variables. We make it easier to navigate them. A good place Whatever your situation is, Social Security will look at all to start is our benefits planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/ possibilities to ensure both spouses receive the maximum planners. Look under the “Benefits as a Spouse” section.

Social Security benefits possible, whether based on each Note the rules for Survivor benefits are different and you can spouse’s earnings record or the higher wage-earner’s record. find out about those benefits by reviewing our webpage.

Your spouse can apply for benefits the same way that you apply for benefits on your own record. He or she can apply for reduced benefits as early as age 62, or for 100 percent of the spousal retirement benefit at your spouse’s “full retirement age.” Not sure what the full retirement age is? To learn your and your spouse’s full retirement ages, based on birth year, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.

The benefit amount your spouse can receive at full retirement age can be as much as one half of your full benefit. If your spouse chooses to file for benefits early, age 62 for example, the benefit may be as little as a third of your full benefit amount. Note that benefits paid to your spouse do

If you are ready to apply for benefits, the fastest, easiest, and most convenient way is to apply online! You can do so at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline and complete your application in as little as 15 minutes.

Due to a Supreme Court decision, we now are able to pay benefits to some same-sex couples. We encourage people who think they may be eligible to apply now. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/ same-sexcouples.

Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Choices.

Social Security gives you choices that can provide a foundation for your retirement income. Contact me to discuss your options and how to maximize Social Security in your financial plan.

Donald Montgomery

Financial Advisor 1630 23RD AVE STE 201B LEWISTON, ID 83501-6350 O: 208-746-4366 dmontgomery@advisors.com

Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your independent advisor about any tax or legal statements regarding your personal situation prior to making financial decisions. • Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through Waddell & Reed, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC and Federally Registered Investment Advisor.

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How To Choose Your Next Career

MetroCreative

The days when professionals would spend their entire professional lives with a single firm are largely a thing of the past. In fact, many people not only switch companies multiple times before retirement, but some even switch professions before retiring.

As exciting as it can be to pursue a new career, men and women over 50 know that such a decision is not without risk. While younger professionals with few obligations can often handle bumps in the road on their way to a second career, older professionals making a similar move often must consider the potential effects such a pursuit might have on their families, finances and futures, including their retirements.

But as difficult as it may seem to pursue a second career after your fiftieth birthday, there are steps men and women over 50 can take when pursuing a new career to ensure their second act is as successful as the first. · Decide what you want, and not just what you want to do.

The desire to pursue a second career no doubt stems from more than just dissatisfaction with a current profession. Many people switch jobs or even careers because they find their current careers too demanding, leaving little time for family or hobbies that have nothing to do with work. If what you really

want is more time at home or more time to pursue a particular hobby, then keep this in mind when looking for a second career, and make sure that career won’t demand too much of your time. For example, if your goal in finding a new career is to get more worklife balance, then starting your own business, which can require long hours at the outset and even after the business has established itself, might not be for you.

But if what you want is a more challenging career and to be

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your own boss, then you will likely find the cost of achieving that goal, even if that cost is more demands on your time, is worth it. · Assess your skillset. Professionals over 50 have lots to offer, but it’s still important for such men and women to make an honest assessment of their skillset and find a career in which those skills are transferable. Some men and women might want to pursue a second career that will make little to no use of their skillset, and that’s perfectly alright. But extra schooling might be necessary in such situations, and going back to school oftentimes requires a considerable commitment of both time and money. For those who simply want to put their existing skills to use in a different field or environment, assess those skills and look for lines of work in which they figure to be especially valuable. If there are any particular aspects of your current job that you want to avoid in the future, consider that when assessing your skills and choosing a second career. Even if they don’t know it, established professionals over 50 have many transferable skills, and such skills can be a considerable asset when pursuing a second career, especially when those skills have been assessed and can be applied to a new profession. · Make a trial run. Nowhere does it say that professionals can’t take a trial run at a second career while still fully engaged in their first career. In fact, testing the waters before you jump in is a good way to gauge your interest in a potential second career and how well your skillset applies to

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that field. A trial run, which can be conducted by volunteering with a nonprofit organization or through a part-time job or simply offering your services to a company free of charge in exchange for a chance to learn how the business operates, can shed light on the inner workings of a particular industry, showing you how things work behind the curtain. Testing the waters may reaffirm your belief that a certain line of work is for you, or it might send you back to the drawing board.

Either way, it’s valuable experience that may reassure you that whatever decision you ultimately make is the right one. · Don’t go it alone. Switching careers after 50 carries some risk, but it’s certainly a risk that many before you have been willing to take. If you know any people, be it a friend, family member or former or even current colleague, who has reinvented themselves professionally, then speak with these people and ask for any advice they might have. If you know you want out of your current career but aren’t quite sure of what you want to do next, those who have faced a similar fork in the road may be able to help you narrow down your options. The notion of changing careers is exciting, and you can expect your personal and professional confidantes to share your excitement and be willing to help you in any way they can.

Making a career change after 50 can be a risky yet ultimately rewarding move, especially for those men and women who take a thoughtful approach to finding their second careers.

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Not Your Normal Retirement Homes

MetroCreative

As the Baby Boomer generation enters retirement age, there has been an increased demand for services that meet the needs of this segment of the population. Amenities such as active-living communities that boast top-of-the-line features typically are the first things individuals seek.

Age-restricted, 55-plus communities cater to what the name implies -- people who are age 55 and older. However, these home developments are a far cry from what they used to be.

Now they rival some of the best resorts in their features and are designed entirely around the needs of a group of active, amenity driven people. There are many choices with regard to active adult retirement communities. Here are some of the benefits that these communities boast.

Community companionship Due to the age-restricted nature of active-adult-homedevelopments, the residents are all in a similar age range, and may have similar interests. At a time in life when friendships from work may waver due to retirement, and older children may be busy with their own lives, these communities can help foster new friendships. Whether through community-sponsored activities or just through home proximity, residents can enjoy one another’s company.

Low- or no-maintenance living

homes are built to provide worry-free living. Included in the home ownership fees are provisions to take care of much of the interior and exterior maintenance. This peace of mind enables residents to pursue interests rather than worry about the upkeep on their homes. Many times the community is expertly manicured, helping to create an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Activity-based fun Many communities build activities into the living plan. Therefore, there may be a workout room, the game center, exercise classes, movie nights, and many other attractions to keep residents busy.

Active-adult communities may be similar to all-inclusive vacations and cruises in that they have their own activities coordinator on staff. Should residents prefer solo activities, the property on which these homes are built are often created with recreation in mind.

Security Individuals who are no longer bogged down with work requirements may be more likely to take vacations or go visiting.

In a traditional home, there may be worries about leaving the home unattended for a period of time. However, in 55-plus residences, homes may be in gated communities or have security patrols. Also, the sheer number of homes in a townhouse-style building can camouflage homes that are currently vacant, easing the minds of those who are planning on going away.

One of the biggest attractions to active-adult living is that these

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