Isolation among aging retirees can harm their social, cognitive, and physical well-being. However, initiatives like the Indiana Pathways for Aging program help seniors stay engaged and thrive in their communities. Let’s explore the downside of isolation on aging retirees, the benefits of social and civic engagement, and the Indiana Pathways for Aging program. Negative Effects of Isolation on Aging Retirees Isolation among aging retirees has profound negative effects on their overall health. Social isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness. Loneliness, in turn, can contribute to depression ..read more

Introduction Is your homeowner’s insurance coverage complete and up-to-date? You might think, “My insurance coverage is fine.” Tragically, a 2023 tornado destroyed homes on the Indiana and Illinois sides of the Wabash River and exposed some families’ insurance gaps the hard way. If you haven’t reviewed your insurance coverage lately, you might find yourself out in the cold without enough to replace your home after a fire or storm. This article explains the need for updating homeowner’s insurance coverage and issues you might have overlooked. What is Homeowner’s Insurance? As we explained in Wh ..read more

In today’s digital age, managing your money through online accounts is not just convenient; it’s smart! Whether it’s shares of stock through CompuServe, life insurance policies, annuities, investments, or banking, going online makes it easier for you. Let’s break it down so you can see how easy and beneficial it can be. Why Should You Use Online Accounts to Manage Finances? Folks who’ve never used online accounts may ask, “Why use online accounts to manage finances?” You can still manage your accounts with paper forms at most banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. Howev ..read more

In today’s digital age, managing your money online is not just convenient; it’s smart! Whether it’s shares of stock through CompuServe, life insurance policies, annuities, investments, or bank accounts, going online makes it easier for you. Let’s break it down so you can see how easy and beneficial it can be. Why Should You Use Online Accounts to Manage Finances? Folks who’ve never used online accounts may ask, “Why use online accounts to manage finances?” You can still manage your accounts with paper forms at most banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. However, your fi ..read more

Did you know that Hoosiers can cause their money and property to pass after death to their family members through pay on death (POD) and transfer on death (TOD) arrangements? This Article explains POD and TOD ownership and the POD and TOD pitfalls and opportunities. POD and TOD Beneficiary Designations Indiana’s Transfer on Death Property Act lets Hoosiers pass their money, homes, farms, vehicles, and other assets to beneficiaries after death with simple POD and TOD beneficiary designations. While POD and TOD mean nearly the same thing, POD causes a bank to pay money on the owner’s death, and ..read more

JTEN parties are tied to each other, like in a 3-legged race, until one dies or they stop the JTEN. Does your name appear with someone on a bank or investment account? If so, you and the other people may be joint tenants with rights of survivorship (JTEN). Indiana law refers to people sharing a JTEN account as “parties.” This article discusses why people make JTEN accounts and some hidden JTEN headaches and heartaches. WHY MAKE JTEN ACCOUNTS? Many folks make JTEN accounts for when they get sick or die. They hope the other JTEN parties will help pay bills during their illness or after their dea ..read more

Elder law attorneys’ Medicaid services are essential for many older people needing long-term care. Sadly, Medicaid misinformation leads many people to pay too much money or needlessly avoid essential care. Part of the misinformation comes from unlicensed companies claiming to be “Medicaid specialists” that offer “senior planning services.” This Article explains why people should seek elder law attorneys’ Medicaid services when their family members experience long-term health problems. Misinformation about Medicaid and Nursing Homes These are some of the misunderstandings and false beliefs man ..read more

United States Treasury Building in Washington DCIntroduction US Savings Bonds are traditionally secure and dependable investments. They offer great opportunities to save money while supporting the federal government’s funding needs. However, it’s important to understand how inflation and rising interest rates affect US Savings Bonds. This Article discusses inflation, interest, and savings bonds, and why some banks reject paper savings bonds. The Relationship of Inflation, Interest, and Savings Bonds Inflation signifies a general price surge, leading to a decrease in money’s purchasing power. T ..read more

Convert to Digital Savings BondsConvert to Digital Savings BondsWhat are US Savings Bonds? US Savings Bonds are government-backed investments that grow over time. They’re a good way to save money for the future. You may have some paper savings bonds, which look like fancy certificates. But did you know you can make them digital? If you have paper US Savings bonds, it’s a smart move to convert to digital savings bonds. It makes managing your savings easier now and simplifies things for your family later. Why Digital? Digital Savings Bonds Are Easy to Manage When your savings bonds are electroni ..read more

Estate planning is an essential process involving many financial, legal, and personal decisions. Organizing records and information properly can make this process smoother and more efficient. We get many questions about storing and organizing records at our public speaking events, so this article offers tips and links to helpful checklists and questionnaires to prepare for estate planning. 1. Organizing Essential Records and Information for Estate Planning A well-organized estate plan starts with gathering all necessary documents and information. Records and information for estate planning in ..read more