Edmonds Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Dear Savvy Senior, Who qualifies for Social Security survivor benefits? My ex-husband died last year, so I would like to find out if I or my 17-year-old daughter are eligible for... — Updated 10/21/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are looking for the simplest and least expensive way to dispose of our bodies when we die. We hate the idea of wasting a lot of money on... — Updated 10/14/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, Does Social Security offer any special help to beneficiaries who struggle managing their benefits? My aunt, who has no children, has dementia and struggles... — Updated 9/16/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you tell me what I need to do to replace a variety of important documents? Our house burned down a few months ago, and we lost everything including our home... — Updated 8/19/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I will both be retiring in a few years and are interested in relocating to a warmer climate, but could use some help. What resources can you... — Updated 7/22/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you offer for downsizing? My husband and I would like to relocate from our house into a retirement community condo near our daughter, but need to ge... — Updated 6/17/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the best Medicare coverage options for COVID-vaccinated retirees who are eager to travel? My wife and I will both turn 65 over the next few months and... — Updated 5/20/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 60 and would like to find out the best way to go about locating senior discounts. – Looking to Save Dear Looking, One of the best, yet... — Updated 4/22/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me some tips on how to pick a good nursing home in the COVID era? My mother had a stroke a while back and can’t use her legs any longer. I’ve bee... — Updated 3/18/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, I am interested in getting my mom, who lives alone, a medical alert system with a wearable pendant button that will let her call for help if she falls or has a... — Updated 2/18/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, I understand that a portion of my Social Security benefits may be taxable when I retire. Can you tell me how to calculate this? – Ready to Retire Dear Ready,... — Updated 1/21/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, My mom, who’s 76, has become more forgetful lately, and is worried she may be getting Alzheimer’s disease. What resources can you recommend to help us get a... — Updated 12/17/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Will my Medicare benefits be affected if Obamacare is overturned by the Supreme Court? – Concerned Beneficiary Dear Concerned, Unfortunately, yes. If the... — Updated 11/19/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any resources that you know of that can help seniors detect fake news? My 75-year-old mother shares a lot of misinformation with her family and friends... — Updated 10/28/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about reverse mortgages? The coronavirus damage to my retirement account has me considering it, but I want to make sure I know what I'm... — Updated 9/23/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any financial assistance programs you can refer me to? The coronavirus pandemic has cost me my part-time retirement job and has shrunk my measly IRA... — Updated 8/26/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, I lost my job last month because of the coronavirus crisis. With little savings, I’ve been thinking about starting my Social Security benefits early to help me... — Updated 7/17/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, I manage a large doctor's clinic that treats hundreds of seniors each month. We are moving to more telehealth visits to help keep our patients safe at home... — Updated 6/18/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good grocery and/or meal service delivery options for seniors? My 78-year-old mother has always shopped for herself, but since the... — Updated 5/21/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Amid all the troubling coronavirus news, I've also read that there are various coronavirus scams going around right now taking advantage of innocent people who... — Updated 4/20/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Amid all the troubling coronavirus news, I’ve also read that there are various coronavirus scams going around right now taking advantage of innocent people who... — Updated 3/19/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, What kinds of legal documents do I need to prepare to help my family after I’m gone? I would like to get my affairs in order but could use some help. ... — Updated 2/21/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, My husband, who lives at home, has dementia and I worry about him wandering off and not being able to get back. Can you recommend some monitoring technology... — Updated 1/24/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you write a column on ethical wills and how to make one? The attorney that made up my will recently suggested I write one as a tool to explain the intentions... — Updated 11/21/2019

Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend to help make a home safer for aging-in-place? My 76-year-old mother wants to stay living in her own home for as long as possible, but... — Updated 12/27/2017