The Benefits of Social Security & Medicare Planning—Together
October 14, 2024
Hosted by Ron Roel
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
As you approach traditional retirement age, you probably know the importance of enrolling on time in Social Security and Medicare—the bookends of retirement planning. But what you may not be aware of is that only a small percentage of recipients maximize their benefits, which could have a significant impact on their standard of living in their later years. Both programs are designed to support retirees, but optimizing one’s benefits requires careful planning and strategic decisions. In today’s episode, I talk with Todd Whiton, the president of Colby Jackson Advisors, a veteran Social Security and Medicare expert who offers an integrated approach in providing effective planning strategies for the two programs together. Todd reviews a litany of key provisions people need to consider when evaluating their coverage; mistakes people make or misconceptions they have about these programs; and what significant changes may be coming down the pike in 2025.
45 Forward
Monday at 12 Noon Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel
Thanks to advances in medicine and health, most of us are just at half-life when we reach our mid-40s, with many potentially productive years ahead. But there’s no road map to prepare us for this period. That’s where 45 Forward comes in.
My show provides you with strategies to shift the traditional waiting-for-retirement model to a journey of compelling life chapters. Each show tackles an aspect of health, finance, family and friends, housing, work and personal pursuits as part of an integrated plan. Experts discuss topics like revitalizing relationships, creating mini-retirements, managing the maze of technology, finding your next homestead and caring for aging parents.
The show instills confidence, and hopefully some comfort, amid the stresses permeating today’s society. Fear of the future is not knowing how to prepare for it. 45 Forward does not proffer prefabricated answers, but helps you shape your life amid the daily anxieties of our time.
Ron Roel
I’m a veteran journalist who spent a wide-ranging career covering business, politics and social issues, the last two decades focusing on the blend of diverse life skills I call successful aging.
I have written extensively on aging topics, spoken at conferences, radio and TV shows, and launched several entrepreneurial ventures, discovering along the way that the path to aging well also requires an unexpected entrepreneurial vision. I spent 20 years as a writer and editor at Long Island’s daily newspaper, Newsday, helping to found Act 2, a weekly section for 50-plus readers. I created Roelresources.com, a website offering practical advice and inspirational essays for people ages 40 and above. I have been a volunteer and consultant to AARP Long Island, writing articles, advocating for seniors, and developing action plans for the AARP Age-Friendly Communities initiative.
I am active in programs and organizations that support seniors, such as the National Aging In Place Council and the Senior Umbrella Network. I have developed a special expertise in family caregiving, as one of four brothers who took care of their mother for almost 25 years. I regularly collaborate with many professionals who provide services and support for older Americans, and I am completing a book for caregivers on Long Island, “The Caregiving Navigator/How to Plan, What to do, and Where to Turn When Caring for you Aging Loved Ones. And Yourself,” scheduled for publication in early 2021.
Episode Directory
October 2024
- 10/21/2024: A Substance Abuse Counselor’s Unique Approach to Recovery: S Coming Soon
- 10/14/2024: The Benefits of Social Security & Medicare Planning—Together Listen Now
- 10/7/2024: Advocating for Older People through Grassroots Empowerment Listen Now
September 2024
August 2024
Show Links
