Our Blog
Welcome to the blog of R. F. Meyer & Associates, where we share company news and informative articles related to our Elder Law, Probate and Estate Planning legal practice.
Better Than No Loaf: Medicaid ‘Half a Loaf’ Asset Strategies
While it is preferable to conduct long-term care planning well in advance of needing care, if you haven’t planned ahead, there are some strategies available to avoid spending all your assets. Three so-called "half a loaf" approaches allow a Medicaid applicant to give...
Rise in Social Security payments will be biggest in 39 years
The year was 1983: The U.S. invaded Granada. A gallon of gas cost 96 cents. Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ video premiered. That year was also the last time that Social Security recipients saw a cost-of-living increase steeper than the one just announced for 2022. This...
Social Security checks set for healthy 5.9 percent increase in January
Dear Clients and referral partners, This morning, we released our November 2021 Client E-newsletter from R. F. Meyer & Associates. If you did not receive a copy by email, find a link below to the full newsletter in PDF form. On the good news/bad news front: Social...
Online Survey Helps Assess Seniors’ Financial Vulnerability
All older Americans are vulnerable to financial abuse, but there are certain circumstances that make someone more likely to be scammed. An online survey can help older adults (or their caregivers) assess their risk of being exploited based on how they make financial...
Social Security Fund Shortfall Predicted Year Earlier Due to Pandemic
The Social Security trustees are projecting that due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic the Social Security trust fund will be depleted in 2033 -- one year earlier than the previous estimates. Once the fund is depleted, Social Security benefits will be...
MMMNA: Medicaid’s Attempt to Ensure Healthy Spouse Has Income
When most of a couple's income is in the name of the spouse who is receiving Medicaid, the spouse remaining in the community may wonder what he or she will live on. Medicaid has created some protections for the community spouse. Although Medicaid limits the assets...
Is Your Medicare Plan Still Working for You?
Every year Medicare gives beneficiaries a window of opportunity to shop around and determine if their current Medicare plan is still the best one for them. During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7, beneficiaries can freely...
It’s that time again: Medicare Open Enrollment starts next week
Dear Clients and referral partners, A little earlier this morning, we released our October 2021 newsletter from R. F. Meyer & Associates. If you did not receive a copy by email, find a link below to the full newsletter in PDF form. The newsletter this month...
Are You Overestimating Your Social Security Benefits?
Studies have found that workers overestimate how much they will receive in Social Security benefits when they retire. Having a good understanding of the realities can help you plan for retirement. Researchers from the University of Michigan studied the expectations of...