Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Savvy Senior

Dear Savvy Senior, I turn 62 early next year and plan to retire soon after. Most advice says I should wait to claim Social Security because my monthly benefit will be higher. But with all the recent …

Dear Savvy Senior, I had a living will/advance directive prepared about 10 years ago documenting my end-of-life medical wishes, but I’ve read that these documents are often ignored. What can …

Dear Savvy Senior, I keep hearing about AI in the news and how it’s being used in scams. I’m not very tech savvy and find it confusing. What should I know to protect myself? --Cautious Senior …

I have a will – Do I also need a trust?

Dear Savvy Senior. My wife and I were recently talking about updating our will and wondered if we should also set up a trust. How do we know if we need one? --Planning Ahead Dear Planning, …

The letter your loved ones will treasure

Dear Savvy Senior, I want to leave something meaningful for my children and grandchildren, beyond just money or property. I’ve heard about “legacy letters,” but I don’t really know what they …

Low-cost smartphone plans for budget-minded seniors

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the absolute lowest-cost smartphone plans for seniors who mainly talk and text but need a little cellular data for email and occasional use? I’m currently paying $40 a …

Is your aging parent safe at home?

Dear Savvy Senior, After watching the coverage of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, I’m worried about my own elderly mother who lives alone in another state. I want to make sure she’s safe …

How to find a quality nursing home for your loved one

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me some tips on picking a good nursing home for my father? Since his stroke, I’ve been taking care of him at home, but he’s gotten to the point where it’s …

Is long-term care insurance worth it?

#Italics# @BOLD@ Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I have been thinking about getting a long-term care insurance policy, but we hate the idea of paying expensive monthly premiums for a …

How to find a great handyman

Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the best way to find a good handyman or tradesman that can help with small jobs around the house? Almost 75 Dear Almost, It’s a great question. Finding a good …

Beware of the Medicare Advantage trap

Dear Savvy Senior, I will be enrolling in Medicare in a few months and would like to know if I initially enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, am I able to switch back to original Medicare and …

Does Medicare cover vision care and eye exams?

Dear Savvy Senior, What all does Medicare cover when it comes to vision care? I currently have good vision insurance through my employer but will lose it when I retire. – Almost 65 …

How to protect yourself from identity theft scams

Dear Savvy Senior, I am very concerned about Elon Musk and the so-called DOGE team getting access to my Social Security number and personal financial information through their government office …

Where solo agers can find help

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m a divorced 68-year-old childless cat lady and have been thinking a lot lately about who will look after me when I get older and my health falters. What resources …

Driving with dementia and knowing when to stop

Dear Savvy Senior, When should someone with dementia stop driving? My 83-year-old father has some dementia issues but still drives himself around town pretty well. – Concerned …

The surprising dangers of earwax

Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that excessive earwax can cause serious health problems in elderly seniors. What can you tell me about this? – Caregiving daughter Dear …

Best pill boxes and medication management tools

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good pill boxes and medication reminding devices? I’ve recently started taking several new prescription medications along with some vitamins I …

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