Retirement Benefits: What to Expect in 2010

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As if spending your life working hard, earning the respect of others and trying at least to stay one step ahead of the Jones's wasn't enough. I am fairly certain I can identify our countries problem. The lack of imagination of today's young is a direct percentage drop in reading and social skills, the likes of which, even third world countries can not compare to. Nothing I can say or do will make the difference needed to once again be the country all others aspire to immolate. If there just wasn't so much media keeping track of it all. Just maybe the reality check will be at least one, that people can afford upon retirements doorstep. When politicians are given four years only, period. You either make a difference or be replaced. When politicians vote for what is right for all people and not what is only good for their party. When politicians stop proving to the young that it isn't what you know, but, who you know and lastly: Politicians deserve the painting society has given them being what is clearly the dregs of conscious less behavior. By not doing what is needed to better have a chance of being re-elected and not being where needed are not problems any society can take without changing the political norm. I say quit paying the polititians. Give them all four years and when done, be gone. Changes are coming and I for one do not want to get caught in the crossfire.

Artie of CA 1:40PM March 15, 2010

I agree Nona....also...Obama would make more money if he was a Car Salesman...He avoids what needs immediate action.... and blames others for his constant ill decisions & delays ...he is POWER Hungry while us Senior Citizens are FOOD Hungry ! YES....GOD help us !!!!!!

cecil of TX 6:17PM January 30, 2010

My Medicare went up 50% due to a "new law"????? SS is not enough to keep me in my home, heat/cool, food and prescriptions. Guess the heat/cool and prescriptions will have to go and I will also plan to lose some weight!!

Helen of TX 7:22PM January 22, 2010

We can't afford to go to a doctor or buy our perscriptions because we are older !! Who do think built this country if not for us older people?

nona stibor of AZ 3:54PM January 12, 2010

I think Obama has really screwed things up for the older people and those who are natural citizens. Too bad we are not getting the benefits we should after years of working to make the United States a better place to live.
It has gotten to where we can't afford to go to a

nona Stibor of AZ 12:56PM January 12, 2010

My social security is $635 after medicare. I am doing a reverse mortgage for $1,050 a minth. My H.O. dues are almost $600. I am looking for parttime work, I am 71 years old. I am healthy but things are expensive. What little money I have is all tied up. I am a senior prof, comedian that works in my community of Laguna Woods for free to make seniors laugh. I have teeth problems from age. I am no drain on society. I am a good American who is going down the tibes, Thanks,
Obama. I am going tommorrow for the census tests. All the jobs are going to the foreigners. hey work so cheap and truly do not understand.

Marbra Sims of CA 6:00AM January 06, 2010

Dear Emily,
My husband received the email regarding your article December 21, 2009 Retirement Benefits: What to Expect in 2010. We just received our benefit amount forms from social security detailing the amounts charged for Part B and Part D for 2010. I pulled my form for last years dollars. In comparing this year to last year, part D for 2010 went up over 50%. The amount deducted 2009 for Part D was $51.60, and the amount deducted 2010 for part D is $78.00.
After reading your article stating premium increase for Part D by 11% for 2010, I felt pretty good. However, when we received and opened the notification from social security for 2010, I was shocked. If this continues to go up over 50% each year, none of us will be able to afford insurance.
I called Medicare regarding the cost and was just told yes it states $78.00. I asked where in the 2010 manual does it stated that Part D went up over 50%. We do not have Cadillac plans. Social security representative didn't know what to say.
This is for your info.rmation.
Thank you,
Judy Spence

Judy Spence of OH 3:59PM January 04, 2010

I am a retired government worker. I worked for County for 15 years at the mercy of government council members as to salary increases over the years. I worked hard and had to cover 5 counties part of that time using my own vehicle traveling some poorly maintained roads which is hard on a car. I contributed to the Public Employee Retirement Fund for those 15 years and I receive less than $300 a month. Any public employee earns those few dollars and I know the part I didn't pay was paid by a government grant.
I worked for the Federal govenment when I resided in California but when we moved our family back to Indiana we didn't receive any government money except what we had paid into our retirement fund.

Leah Manning of IN 8:36AM December 31, 2009

Emily,
In your article:"Retirement Benefits: What to Expect in 2010", you wrote:
"Workers with a retirement plan who earn less than $66,000 annually ($109,000 for couples) also can contribute up to $5,000 to a traditional or Roth IRA, and workers age 50 and over can contribute up to $6,000."
This is incorrect info. Per the IRS website, an individual or couple can contribute to a traditional IRA regardless of their income. What you are referring to in your above statement is the deductability of their contribution.
Also Roth IRA contribution are not deductible and the income limits for contribution are as follow:
Single: Full contribution with MAGI< $105,000 (married < $167,000)
Single: Partial Contribution With MAGI< $120,000 (married < $177,000)
Single: No contribution with MAGI> $120,000 (married > $177,000)
http://www.irs.gov/retirement/participant/article/0,,id=188235,00.html

Lou of TX 2:08AM December 24, 2009

Public pensions are nothing more than public welfare to gov. employees,paid for in part by property taxes. I have no choice about paying this tax,no pay no house. I have spoken to many public employees who had no idea about this. 25 30 years sounds like a real career,but in the real world that is a walk in the park. I resent the holier than thou,entitlement, attitude of so many public employees. You are owed no more than anyone who works in the real world of put your own money away. It is a privilege for you to "work" for the public,it should have no more guarantees than anyone in the private sector has. You made the choice,but I am forced to subsidize that choice. And from many articles I have read and people I have talked to in the public sector, it seems like they are doing quite well,on my tax money. And,no, public employees are not "at the mercy of the taxpayer" If that was true, I would cut my property tax in half.

L. Holland of CO 4:33PM December 23, 2009