By Betty Berry Wednesday, February 25, 2009   Q: I am a fairly recent widow and at a bit of a loss when it comes to issues concerning finances. I know I should be reviewing the legal papers we had prepared and do some planning, but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any suggestions?

A: When it comes to legal issues and making important decisions, I believe that many people, men and women, feel at a bit of a loss.

To ease into this complex subject, I would like to suggest you mark your calendar for the next “Solving the Aging Puzzle” seminar being offered by Senior Concerns.

The “Estate Planning — Don’t Leave Your Family in the Dark” presentation is scheduled for March 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Senior Concerns Adult Day Center, at 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks.

This most informative presentation will be facilitated by Cheri L. Kurman, attorney at law. She is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a certified specialist in estate planning,...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, February 18, 2009    Q: Every day I seem to have a mailbox full of invitations to free seminars on living trusts and financial planning. I’m not really sure I need to be concerned with such topics, but if I do, would these seminars provide me with the information I need?

A: This is not only an excellent question but also a very timely one, since many people are now concerned about how, where and when to invest their money.

It also is one I would like more seniors to ask before they sign up for one of these “free” presentations.

Will attending such a seminar provide you with the information and services you need? The answer is maybe yes — but more likely no.

These community seminars address the issue of estate planning or financial planning in a general manner, and the right strategies needed for an individual to make proper decisions depend on that individual’s unique circumstances.

What might be the right action for your neighbor will most likely...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, February 11, 2009   Q: In the past I have had my taxes done at my local senior center. Will they be doing them again this year?

A: Yes, preparation of income tax returns is being provided again this year. Services started Feb. 1 and will run through April 15 and are for those 60 and over and for those under 60 whose income is $45,000 or less.

As in the past, taxpayers whose returns include Schedule E (rental income) or Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business ) are not eligible.

Participants should be prepared to present a picture ID, their Social Security card and a copy of their 2007 federal and state income tax returns. They should have with them all 2008 documents (W-2s and 1099s) showing income from wages, Social Security, interest, dividends, investments, self-employment and pensions.

Some senior centers are requiring appointments while others are running on a first come, first served basis.

To check the days and hours, call your local senior...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, February 4, 2009   Q: My parents are very private about their finances and personal records. Until now this hasn’t been a problem, but they are beginning to need my assistance and I don’t have the information I need to help them get the care and services they require. Do you have any suggestions about what would be useful for me to ask them to provide?

A: Your situation is not uncommon. We all are guilty to some degree about lack of planning for future situations.

Planning for the future should include among other things getting our financial and personal records in order and at least letting a family member or close friend know where the records are kept should an emergency arise.

While each person’s situation is unique and requires different action, there is specific information and basic documents that should be available.

The following suggestions may help to organize personal and financial records not only for your parents but perhaps also for yourself.

...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 28, 2009  Q: I am planning to bring my mother here to Thousand Oaks and beginning to look at various types of housing and frankly I am most confused. Is there any one place I can go to get this information?

A: Housing is a very complex subject. It is more than a place to live. Consideration must be given to cost as well as whether the person seeking housing can live independently or if some type of assistance is needed.

There are several organizations that work with housing needs, but each is geared to a particular type of housing.

To get a good bird’s-eye view, I think you might want to mark your calendar for the next Solving the Aging Puzzle seminar offered by Senior Concerns.

The presentation Housing — Knowing Your Options is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Senior Concerns Adult Day Center, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks.

This will be a panel presentation with Doug Tapking, executive director of the Area Housing Authority,...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 21, 2009 

Q: My friends and I have been discussing long-term-care insurance and have differing views as to whether we should or should not purchase such coverage. We don’t feel informed enough about other options or the selections needed to be made to purchase a policy. Can you provide some basic information?

A: The decision to purchase long-term-care insurance is very important and one that shouldn’t be made in a hurry. There is no right or wrong answer. Each person’s situation is different and your comfort level is part of that decision-making process.

Before you shop for long-term-care insurance, you should investigate not only different insurance companies but also learn about what long-term care encompasses. Check to see what services are available, what type of facilities are available, what type of facilities provide such care and the cost of that care.

To pay long-term-care costs you have four choices: You can “self-insure” by paying for all...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 14, 2009   Q: My husband was considered disabled by his employer yet when he applied for Social Security disability he was turned down. Can you provide an explanation?

A: It is not unusual for a person to be turned down when first applying for Social Security disability. Perhaps Social Security just needs some additional information. I always suggest appealing the decision. You have 60 days from the time you receive the letter.

Not all disability programs are alike, and eligibility for various programs depends on that program’s definition of “disability.” Some programs will pay for partial disability or short-term disability. Social Security does not.

Social Security has a very strict definition for disability. Under Social Security disability is based on the inability to work. Applicants will be considered disabled if they cannot perform the work they did before the illnesses or accidents that caused the disabilities and if Social Security determines...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 7, 2009  

Q: I have read that many health problems and trips to the hospital are the result of incorrect handling or taking of medications. Could you address the importance of understanding how to handle and take medicines?

A: Now might be the perfect time to address this subject because most seniors have just completed an annual review of their medications to determine if they needed to change insurance carriers for Medicare Part D prescription coverage.

This is a good time to review those prescriptions with a physician to make sure you understand why they have been prescribed and any special rules associated with them.

I checked with a friend who is a pharmacist to see if there were any particular areas that could cause a potential problem and was surprised at some of what I learned.

It all starts with making sure your doctor or doctors know what other herbs, vitamins, supplements or over-the-counter medications you are taking. The combination...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 31, 2008 

Q: Each year there are changes in Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. Could you recap these changes for 2009 so I have them all in one place?

A: I would be happy to. These changes take effect tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 1.

First let’s mention the Social Security cost-of-living increase in your January check. The increase is 5.8 percent and the largest in many, many years. The average increase will be $63.

In 2009, the monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical coverage) that is deducted from your Social Security check will again be based on your adjusted gross income taken from your 2007 income tax return.

Basic monthly premium for singles earning $85,000 or less and for married couples earning $170,000 or less will remain at $96.40, the same as in 2008.

For single individuals earning between $85,001 and $107,000, the premium will be $134.90; between $107,001 and $160,000, it will be $192.70; between $160,001 and $213,000,...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 24, 2008 

Q: My mother is considering moving to California from another state, and I will be helping her make that move. I need to know what steps I should take to make sure her Social Security benefits will be properly transferred.

A: Prompt notification of a change of address always helps make a smooth transition, and notifying Social Security of a change is basically no different.

You didn't indicate whether your mother receives her Social Security benefits in check form or if she has selected the easy and safe option of automatic deposit.

If she receives her benefits in check form all she needs to do is notify Social Security of the new address. However, since it will take at least 30 days for the change to take effect, you want to make sure you provide the post office with her change of address information so that if a check is mailed to her former address it can be forwarded to her new location.

This might also be a good time to consider...