What Retirement Benefits are You Missing Out on?
When people retire, they may often focus on Social Security and Medicare as the most important parts of their support and care. However, a number of other benefits are available that many people may not know about.
Don’t get left behind as you try to move on into the most relaxing part of your life. These additional retirement benefits can help to make your retirement easier and more cost effective. Use them in addition with what you already know about your financial situations and circumstances to make the most of what you can expect in years to come.
Claiming Your Dependent Benefit on Social Security
Many may not be aware they can begin to claim the spousal benefit of Social Security as soon as they reach the age of 62. Though, you may also choose to receive the spousal benefit, and later claim benefits under your own earnings when you reach full retirement age.
If you choose to keep working and accrue a higher benefit on earnings, you can claim up to age 70. Don’t forget to take into account how much you earned to see if claiming can be beneficial in your situation.
Benefits on an Ex-Spouse’s Account
If you were married for at least 10 years, you are eligible for spousal benefits under their earnings account. This rule applies regardless of how many times the wage earner has married. You must also be divorced for at least two years to be eligible for this benefit. Talk to your benefits provider to make sure this is the case in your situation.
Help with Home Care
If you are of retirement age and still living in your own home, your community may provide help with home maintenance, lawn care, or snow shoveling under federally funded programs to help seniors.
Many of these services are free, or cost a reduced amount. Contact your local elder’s affairs office for more information on transportation services for seniors in your community. Your city may also offer these kinds of services in special situations or for a small fee.
Help With Transportation
The need for transportation to go to doctor’s appointments, shopping, and on other errands can be a problem for retirees who no longer drive. Fortunately, many communities have instituted a van service that can be arranged by appointment to drive you to and from points within the community.
The transportation service may be free, or may require a small fee. Talk to your public transport service to see if you are eligible for any discounts or special services as a senior.
Veteran’s Aid for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
One of the lesser-known programs available for veterans of the military is the Aid and Attendance Pension. This pension offers financial help for veterans who require in-home care, or an assisted living facility when they are ill or incapacitated.
The program also extends to spouses of veterans who are ill, and to surviving spouses of veterans. Although the program is not well known, it can provide a significant sum to help with expenses involved in providing care during the retirement years.
Planning for retirement can take a significant amount of research, but the time you spend on this effort can pay off in additional help when you most need it. Check out other programs offered from private services like Sunshine Retirement Living for discounts on travel, and health management as well.
These private providers often get you better discounts than you could anywhere else. You don’t want to miss out on anything that could help you through some of the most trying years.
Category: Retirement
