Senior Benefits
Retirement can be challenging. You may be working with a fixed budget, at the same time that your health costs are on the rise. Fortunately, there is a wide range of senior benefits out there, ranging from health care coverage, like Medicare, and discounts on prescription drugs to supplemental income to help pay utility bills. Finding out what federal, state, local and private senior benefits are available can seem like a daunting task, but it’s worth doing a little research.
A good place to start is with BenefitsCheckUP, a site put together by the National Council on Aging to provide access to benefits for seniors. The questionnaires on the site can take 20-30 minutes to fill out, but it’s time well spent. As they say on the site, “as of February 2010 we have helped 2,433,915 people find over $8 billion worth of the annual benefits they deserve.”
Another place to go for help on the senior benefits available to you is your personal doctor or Medicare provider. If you are unsure of what benefits your Medicare plan covers, talk to your representative, or look at our Medicare section. Your personal doctor might be able to help figure out what other medical benefits you have, especially those that deal with financial obligations.
Senior financial assistance is a great senior benefit. Social security, that pesky little line on your paychecks that has been taking out money your entire life can FINALLY be used! Adding social security to your retirement income, combined with a part-time job cannot only help you live a stable life financially, but also balance your retirement between staying active and relaxing at home.
Another great senior benefit is one that can’t be measured: time. Retirement will give you ample time to go farther with your passions than you’ve ever had time to do before. Have an interest in coaching but never could get off work in time to help out the local little league clubs? Do it now! Make it personal by coaching your grandkids! Always wanted to walk the entire length of the Wall of China but always had a prior commitment stopping you? Do it now!
For more on senior benefits see our sections on Medicare, senior community service groups and senior financial assistance.
