5 Major Money Issues for Seniors in 2011

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Who said life would be any easier when we retire that it was when we were 20? It includes less money and excitement now, replaced by more time to peacefully enjoy life, memories, the joy of watching grown children and grandchildren, and the satisfaction of watching the next generation take the world they found and fashion it into a new world of the future. And the security, however limited, of a retirement income.
Whining, worrying and helpless wringing of hands will improve nothing. Life in a bed of roses includes a lot of thorns.Time and energy are available in everyone's life to spend on meeting challenges and creative problem solving.
I eat mostly food pantry allotments and food made from scratch. (Most of us boomers had the opportunity to learn basic cooking.) I use warm blankets and nightwear instead of heating the whole house at night. I give Christmas gifts made with love from low or no-cost materials. My grown childrenn give me free home repairs and other necessities, and I am grateful!
Our parents survived the Great Depression and World War II on the motto "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" along with a well developed appreciation for the important things that will really last.
It is up to us boomers to show those who follow us that life is not about getting everything, when you want it, without work, planning or sacrifice. It is about loving and working with those around us, taking a can-do attitude, enjoying what we have instead of stewing about what others have.

Nancy of KY 3:25PM January 04, 2011

A greedy person don't share their blessings and want more.
A poor person is considered a minority.
A child of God will make it in hard times and bless the ones who have and have not abundance.

Bessie McDonald of MO 1:33PM November 29, 2010

In the weather of every second counts, like hair in your head (in the bible) is weird. Well, maybe there is payable and receivable case, that hair cut is one another way.
Money machine or printed cash policy should described clearly for anybody publicity in order to get fairness and justice.

Andre Budianto 8:14AM October 29, 2010

With the rising cost of living what are the elderly to do? It seems social security just does not pay enough to keep bills paid and out of debt. Some elderly did not have 401k plans when they were working. Many of them knew little to nothing about investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or annuities. Many seniors who are living off of social security alone are struggling financially just to have money left over to buy food after paying their bills. I do not know about the rest of America but I thought we elected a President who was all about changing this type of living conditions. I am offended that the President will bend over backwards to try to create more jobs and money for education but just let the elderly perish. I wander if his mamma ever taught him anything about respecting his elders. I wander how he would feel if it were his grandma who was struggling just to pay bills and eat. If he wants to do right by the American people I think he needs to take a step back and just imagine himself in someone else's shoes. If he could only imagine what it must be like for a Senior to apply for Food Stamps and only recieve $15.00 per month and have to go to the grocery store to try to buy food. If he could only imagine the hunger pains a senior might be going through month after month because there is just very little money for food. Those seniors who go through these things day after day and month after month do not care about promises they need results of helping actions being done.

David Webb of TX 11:13PM October 27, 2010

There was no legislation introduced in 2010 to extend the moratorium on the RMD for seniors 70 1/2 and older. When the bill was first introduced by Sen Olmpia Snowe (R) it was for a 3 year moratorium, 2008, 2009 and 2010, to give seniors IRA accounts time to recover from the nosedive they took in 2008 when the market crashed and left many of us with retirement accounts that went down by as much as 40%. Congress in its infinite wisdom only passed it for tax year 2009. Now we are stuck with taking the minimum withdrawal or faced with a 10% penalty. This coupled with no COLA for the last two years is the last straw. This Democratic Party controlled Congress showed their true colors and they have no interest in the elderly and they make no pretense about it.This greatly influenced how I will vote in November.

Candor of CA 12:57AM October 22, 2010