Update

is ON THE MOVE!

March is going to be a special period for those who served during what is known as the Vietnam period (I believe the date are 19551975) either in the war zone or on active duty in any service branch elsewhere in the world.) Our Post is having a special event on Sunday, March 26th including a buffet (free to the veteran) between the times of 11:00 – 20:00 hours. Come mingle with fellow vets and enjoy the special items and programs being offered for that special welcome back. Look for more information on our new sign as the date approaches.

Also in March on March 29th at 11:00 AM, DeSales University in affiliation with the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council will host a program entitled National Vietnam War Veterans Day at the University located in Center Valley. Special Vietnam Commemoration metals will be given to former members of our Armed Services during the Vietnam War era as outlined above. A special guest speaker is lined up for this ceremony. After the ceremony they plan to offer refreshment to attendees. To be part of those called forth for presentation of the Commemorative Medal, we ask you to contact Director, Wendy Badman, at 610-2821100 extension 2075. The address of DeSales University is 2765 Station Avenue, Center Valley, Pa 18034. Our local color guard will be there as part of this important “Welcome Home” on this 50+ year celebration of those who came forth to protect freedom and liberty throughout the world.

As a veteran of that period I welcome all the gestures of thankfulness for service we receive today that were seriously overlooked as we returned home from overseas. I thank all those who in the past few decades who have stepped forward to heal that wound inflicted back in the 50’s through the 70’s as we transitioned back to civilian life after we were ready to give our all for our country.

~ For God & Country, Dick Helm

Lists on the Cellar Door

While watching the Super Bowl, I noticed a few of their very expensive commercials showed that little boxed computer symbol that you could get information on their product from in an instant on you cell phone. Yes, that piece of equipment most carry in their pocket to do many functions and many times are not used to “talk to people.”

As the minutes dwindled down and I had to witness a loss by our local team who are to be congratulated on a wonderful year, my thoughts wandered back to the days when we in the Quakertown area were really rural.

Many of our youth would not know what the term, “Buying on Tick” means. When I go to the grocery store or make a nominal purchase elsewhere, I too use my credit card to get the bonus points on the monthly payoff amount. Back in the day on Friday night, as I mentioned in the past, I too stood in the long lines at the Bucks County Trust Company Bank, to have the cash I needed and to pay my Christmas Club. When you made a purchase, you paid in cash. Sometimes small country grocery stores would let certain people they knew come in and make a purchase, and they would record that purchase in a small black book. When Friday night came, the patron would come to the grocer and pay what he had “bought on tick” during the week in cash. I helped at a gas station occasionally in the evening and was aware of such a book with “certain” names in it that could make gas purchases in this way. The lists on the cellar door that I am telling you about were mainly from either the “Coffee Man” or “Fuller Brush man.” Weekly the coffee man would come in his enclosed delivery vehicle. (It resembled a station wagon but had no windows in the back and had a set of rear double doors. Our coffee man was from the “Grand Union Company.” He not only had coffee or coffee with chick-o-ree; he would sell all kinds of household products. When he arrived, he would come with my Mom’s normal order for coffee, he would also have the “Special Product” they were offering. It could be a special aluminum pan or even a portable record player. Obviously, the normal housewife did not have extra cash at home; so he would fill out a card with weekly payments listed for that particular item. (Lay way payments). Each week my Mom would have the cash for the coffee and the extra items listed on hard cover cards that the coffee man would initial until the final 100 % figure was reached. As incentive, the coffee man would have a special offering that ONLY could be purchased with “Credits” from other dry good products sold. This special card was reviewed from time to time when something of real interest was shown to Mom. Thus, we always had those lists on a string hanging on the cellar door. It was always exciting to get the fancy thing that Mom was paying on far a few months!

The baker and milkman were different. My Dad would let a certain amount of cash home for these deliveries. The milkman, Leroy Weiss, would come early in the morning and deliver Freeman’s “Best by Test” milk by leaving the glass bottles in the insulated box on the back porch. An envelope would contain the money for payment with our empty bottles. In the spring he would offer strawberry milk and he always-offered Chocolate milk. We very seldom got flavored milk and I preferred the chocolate milk way over the strawberry. Reds Nace would deliver the bread in the evening and always had a special bun with him as he knocked on the door. By this time my Dad was home from work and this was always a good selling point for him, as my Dad could not resist homemade buns. Our previous bake, Brunner’s Bakery would deliver during the day and we missed out on Pop’s temptations. But we still would enjoy their Moravian Buns or Trolley Buns from time to time.

Now people buy the groceries on line and I see the store delivery truck pass early in the morning as I walk with our dog Brandi. I still can’t imagine buying bananas over the phone and not being able to see how ripe, bruised, or large they are! Guess I still have that old instinct of seeing the product I buy. Oh well, back to the football game. Maybe some people pointed their phone at the screen for more information, I must go now, believe it or not my phone still rings and I TALK to people!

Important Birthdays Over 50

Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-ahalf” to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last.

When you are older, “and-a-half” birthdays start making a comeback. In fact, starting at age 50, several birthdays and “half-birthdays” are critical to understand because they have implications regarding your retirement income.

Age 50

At age 50, workers in certain qualified retirement plans are able to begin making annual catch-up contributions in addition to their normal contributions. Those who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans can contribute an additional $6,500 per year in 2022. Those who participate in Simple Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or Simple 401(k) plans can make a catch-up contribution of up to $3,000 in 2022. And those who participate in traditional or Roth IRAs can set aside an additional $1,000 a year.1,2

Age 59½

At age 59½, workers are able to start making withdrawals from qualified retirement plans without incurring a 10% federal incometax penalty. This applies to workers who have contributed to IRAs and employer-sponsored plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans (457 plans are never subject to the 10% penalty). Keep in mind that distributions from traditional IRAs, 401(k) plans, and other employersponsored retirement plans are taxed as ordinary income.

Age 62

At age 62 workers are first able to draw Social Security retirement benefits. However, if a person continues to work, those benefits will be reduced. The Social Security Administration will deduct $1 in benefits for each $2 an individual earns above an annual limit. In 2022, the income limit is $19,560.3

Age 65

At age 65, individuals can qualify for Medicare. The Social Security Administration recommends applying three months before reaching age 65. It’s important to note that if you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (medical insurance) without an additional application.4

Age 65 to 67

Between ages 65 and 67, individuals become eligible to receive 100% of their Social Security benefit. The age varies, depending on birth year. Individuals born in 1955, for example, become eligible to receive 100% of their benefits when they reach age 66 years and 2 months. Those born in 1960 or later need to reach age 67 before they’ll become eligible to receive full benefits.5

Age 73

In most circumstances, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from a traditional Individual Retirement Account and other defined contribution plans. You may continue to contribute to a traditional IRA past age 70½ as long as you meet the earned-income requirement.

Understanding key birthdays may help you better prepare for certain retirement income and benefits. But perhaps more importantly, knowing key birthdays can help you avoid penalties that may be imposed if you miss the date.

1. If you reach the age of 50 before the end of the calendar year. 2. IrS.gov, 2022 3. SSa gov, 2022

4. SSa gov, 2022. IndIvIdualS can declIne Part b coverage becauSe It requIreS an addItIonal PremIum Payment. 5. SSa gov, 2022 tHiS artiCle waS Submitted by bob Podraza of robert JameS inveStmentS at 1313 weSt broad Street, QuaKertown He Can be reaCHed at 215-583-5013 or at robertJameSinveStmentS Com

The answers to the puzzles on this page are found elsewhere in this issue.

Think Local. Play Local. Be Local.

Have something to share with your community? Send it to us! UBFP • 582 S. West End Blvd, Ste 2 • Quakertown, PA 18951 info@ubfp.org • fb.com/ubfreepress • www.ubfp.org

Barracuda Beetle Bison

Blackhawk Bluebird Bobcat Bronco Cheetah

Cobra Colt Cougar Eagle Firebird Fox Hornet

Impala Jaguar Lark Lynx Marlin Mustang Pinto Puma

Rabbit Ram Spider Stingray Thunderbird Viper Wildcat