Author: TECH

We’re still months away from the official 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), but there’s already a ton of speculation about where it will end up. The latest estimates suggest an above-average COLA is possible, even likely. That might sound like a good thing, but the truth is more complicated. Larger COLAs carry hidden drawbacks worth recognizing so you understand what to realistically expect next year. Image source: Getty Images. The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), a nonpartisan senior group, recently raised its 2027 COLA projection from 2.8% to 3.9%. This would add about $81 to the $2,081 average monthly retirement…

2:27be Well: Tips to help you declutterYour physical space directly impacts your mental space. Let’s face it – getting rid of that clutter can definitely make you feel better. Now, there’s a better way to have something moved, delivered or decluttered – and it’s as simple as tapping on an app. Michael Eshrach, the founder and CEO of Move It, has some tips.

A major change is coming for millions of Social Security recipients who rely on a popular prepaid card to receive their benefits.The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service has selected Fifth Third Bank as the new financial agent for the Direct Express program.The bank will replace Comerica Bank, the Social Security Administration recently announced.Who’s impactedThe change affects those who receive payments via the Direct Express prepaid Debit Mastercard — 3.6 million active cardholders, according to the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service.AdvertisementAdvertisementThose who receive payments by direct deposit into a bank account are not affected.New enrollments with…

As people with dementia and Alzheimer’s age, they often find themselves living in memory care facilities, places that work hard to focus on their safety and medical needs, but often feel institutionalized and sterile. At the Hogeweyk Dementia Village in the Netherlands, however, a different kind of memory care has paved the way for an improved quality of life for older adults across the globe. The idea of the Hogeweyk model is to create a normal neighborhood — not a nursing home. In a small town with independent living quarters, supermarkets, restaurants, and theaters, people living with severe dementia can find support…

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to roll out multiple payment cycles during the first week of next month: specifically on Monday, June 1, and Wednesday, June 3.As it does every month, the SSA will distribute Social Security benefits to retired workers, survivors and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients. It will also send out payments as part of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) scheme – a separate program for certain low-income individuals.Each group is paid on a different schedule under the official calendar. Some receive their money in the opening days of the month, while others are paid…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Women who claimed Social Security at age 62 received about $15,425 annually, while those who waited until age 70 averaged about $27,400.Women receive less Social Security than men no matter when they claim, and the difference can approach 20% by age 70.Because benefits are based on earnings history, delaying benefits and building savings can boost retirement income. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. For millions of American women, monthly Social Security benefits provide an important source of income. But the latest figures show once again that women continue to receive smaller benefits than…

A conversational support platform based on artificial intelligence (AI) developed in Israel can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, form a meaningful therapeutic alliance with users, and provide round-the-clock emotional support. This was discovered by researchers at Reichman University in Herzliya and published in the prestigious journal JAMA Network Open under the title, “Efficacy of a conversational AI agent for psychiatric symptoms and digital therapeutic alliance: A randomized clinical trial.”Led by Prof. Anat Shoshani of Reichman’s Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, and conducted in collaboration with the Kai.ai platform, the study explored whether AI systems could offer an innovative response…

Most of us know that parents’ mental and emotional states have major impacts on their kids. But a 2023 study shows that it might not affect children the way we assume, and that it works very differently between moms and dads.Researchers actually found that slightly anxious and depressed dads provide a benefit to their kids. They grow up smarter and with more self-control than their peers. The same was not true for moms. And while the study findings were unexpected, researchers stressed that good mental health should always be a priority for parents because it models self-care and wellness for their kids.New…

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we often focus on recognizing symptoms, expanding access to care, and reducing stigma, all of which are critical conversations. However, when it comes to young children, mental health begins long before any type of diagnosis, with the everyday interactions that shape how they experience safety, connection and the world around them. For some, the term “infant mental health” may feel unfamiliar or even confusing, but, as physicians, we know that mental health can be nurtured and supported just like physical health. It is important to remember that healthy brain development and emotional well-being thrive in…

Social Security beneficiaries could be heading toward a history-making raise in 2027. Early projections suggest next year’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) may mark the sixth-straight annual increase of at least 2.5%, something not seen since 1997.But even after several years of above-average increases, many seniors’ checks still aren’t keeping pace with essential costs, raising concerns about long-term financial fitness.Here’s what’s driving the increase and why retirees may still feel squeezed.Find Out: 14 moves seniors could benefit from but often forget about.What is the Social Security COLA?The Social Security COLA is an annual adjustment designed to help benefits keep up with inflation.…