HEALTH:
Scientists Warn Americans Are Expecting Too Much from a Vaccine: The White House and many Americans have pinned their hopes for defeating the COVID-19 pandemic on a vaccine being developed at “warp speed.” But some scientific experts warn they’re all expecting too much, too soon. Kaiser Health News, Oct. 28.

Five Ways to Reduce Your Stroke Risk: Strokes can happen any time, anywhere and at any age, which is why it's important to know how to reduce your risk. HealthDay, Oct. 28.
Is Your Mouthful of Metal Healthy? Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also weighed in on mercury fillings. In updated guidance issued Sept. 24, the FDA said that the silver fillings, also known as dental amalgam, may cause health problems for some people in high-risk groups. Next Avenue, Oct. 30.
 
Colon Cancer Screening Should Start Earlier, at Age 45, U.S. Panel Says: The draft recommendation acknowledges a trend of higher rates of colon and rectal cancer in generations born since 1950. The New York Times, Oct. 27.
Teletherapy On the Rise: Tips to Make the Most of It: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, talking to your therapist over the internet may be here to stay. Where you may have once traveled to a therapist’s office and sat face-to-face for an hour, you can now boot up your computer and log onto a secure, encrypted video platform like Zoom or Skype to chat with your mental health provider. Next Avenue, Oct. 26.

You’re Not Too Old to Talk to Someone: Studies have shown that older people do as well in psychotherapy as younger ones. But finding and affording therapy can prove difficult. The New York Times, Oct. 31.
MEDICARE:
Medicare Will Cover Early Vaccines for Covid: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Wednesday announced a rule change that will allow beneficiaries get a free Covid-19 vaccine if approved via emergency-use authorization. CNBC, Oct. 29.
 
What happens to Medicare if Obamacare/ACA is Overturned? If the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—also known as Obamacare—gets repealed by the Supreme Court next year, it will weaken Medicare and increase costs for beneficiaries. Tri County Sentry, Oct. 28.
MONEY:
401(k) and IRA Penalties That Don’t Apply in 2020: Individual retirement accounts and 401(k) plans often impose penalties if you take money out of a retirement account too soon or too late. But you don't need to worry about triggering these retirement account fees this year. U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 26.
 
Bad News on IRA and 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2021: Retirement savers will be disappointed with the contribution limits for next year, but at least more people will qualify for retirement tax breaks in 2021. Kiplinger, Oct. 26.
HSA Contribution Limits and Other Requirements: Annually adjusted contribution limits, health plan minimum deductibles, and limits on out-of-pocket medical expenses must be met if you're covering health care costs with a Health Savings Account. Kiplinger, Oct. 29.

Should You Roll Over an IRA to an HSA? You can tap money from your IRA tax-free by rolling it over to a health savings account. Find out who can benefit the most from this strategy. U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 30.
 
How Losing Obamacare Could Cost You: If the Supreme Court tosses out the Affordable Care Act, it could dramatically affect your Medicare benefits, finances and choices. Nerd Wallet, Oct. 29.
 
As COVID-19 Causes Money Distress, New Employer Programs Offer Relief: With Washington policymakers unable to come up with a second stimulus bill, the question is a reality for millions of people right now, including many in their 50s and 60s nearing retirement. Next Avenue, Oct. 29.
What a Cash Out Refinance Means for Retirees: A cash out refinance for your home could lead to a lower interest rate on your mortgage and allow you to take out some of your home's equity. However, a cash out refinance has several long-term implications for retirees living on a fixed income. U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 28.
 
Can I Have a 401(k) and an IRA? Short answer: Yes, you can contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA, but if your income exceeds the IRS limits, you might lose out on one of the tax benefits of the traditional IRA. Nerd Wallet, Oct. 28.
 
What Is the 4% Rule? The 4% rule may not be the best approach for determining how much to withdraw from your retirement accounts. The Motley Fool, Oct. 28.
Tax Planning During the ‘Gap Years’ in Retirement: An IRS incentive for workers to contribute to their employers' plans and for that money to grow tax-deferred has been so great that people have socked money away in these retirement plans like wildfire. U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 26.
SOCIAL SECURITY:
Social Security Seemed Like a Future Problem. The Virus Changed That: Even before the pandemic, Social Security’s finances were under growing pressure. The next president and Congress will play a crucial role in what happens next. The New York Times, Oct. 28.

3 Social Security Changes to Look Out for in 2021: Millions of seniors rely on Social Security to pay the bills in retirement. The program is constantly evolving, though, and with a new year comes new changes you should be aware of. Here are three big ones to look out for in 2021. The Motley Fool, Oct. 31.

Make This Simple Move to Boost Your Social Security Benefits: The average Social Security benefit for retired workers is about $1,519 per month, but you don't have to settle for the average. There are several strategies to increase your Social Security checks, and the simplicity of some of them may surprise you. The Motley Fool, Oct. 30.

Not Knowing These 3 Critical Social Security Rules Could Wreck Your Retirement: Social Security may be complicated, but here are three rules you can't gloss over. The Motley Fool, Oct. 26.
LEGAL ISSUES:
Estate Planning During the Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic has made 2020 a nightmare for many people around the world, and inadequate estate planning can exacerbate the pain. Kiplinger, Oct. 28.

Once You Create a Living Trust, Don’t Forget to Fund It: Your real estate holdings, life insurance, bank accounts and retirement savings won’t magically flow into your trust. You have to put them there. Failure to do so could mean months of probate court hassles for your heirs. Kiplinger, Oct. 26.
TECHNOLOGY:
WORK:
What It Takes to Make Yourself 'Forever Employable': Even in a pandemic? A recent report from The New School's Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis' Retirement Equity Lab found that unemployment rates for workers 55 and older have exceeded ones for mid-career workers throughout the pandemic. Next Avenue, Oct. 28.

Older Workers Are Struggling to Find Jobs Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic: You would think having decades of experience should help in a job search. Yet it’s holding many older unemployed workers back during the coronavirus pandemic. CNBC, Oct. 30.
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