Older Americans

CFPB: Things to Consider before Borrowing a Reverse Mortgage to Delay Collecting Social Security

For most people, the amount of money you bring in each month decreases after you retire. Yet your expenses, particularly for health care, may not follow suit. So the question on the minds of many approaching this life stage is: how do I replace or supplement my monthly income when I retire? The most obvious…

CFPB: Report Warns that Taking out a Reverse Mortgage Loan can be an Expensive Way to Maximize Social Security Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today issued a report warning older consumers about taking out a reverse mortgage loan in order to bridge the gap in income while delaying Social Security benefits until a later age. The CFPB report found, in general, the costs and risks of taking out a reverse mortgage…

CFPB: Don’t Let Marketers Tell You How to Age in Place

We often hear that older Americans want to “age in place.” Aging in place means living at home in the community, rather than in an institutional setting, like a nursing facility. This is the choice most people want to make even if they need services and support to do so. With over ten thousand people…

Census Bureau: The Nation’s Older Population is Still Growing

The nation’s population has a distinctly older age profile than it did 16 years ago, according to new U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released today. New detailed estimates show the nation’s median age — the age where half of the population is younger and the other half older — rose from 35.3 years on April…

HUD: Report Calls for Greater Action to Reduce Injuries to Seniors in Their Home

WASHINGTON – Approximately one-third of adults age 65 years or older fall in their home, resulting in injury, long-term disability and premature institutionalization. By 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the cost related to these kinds of injuries to be nearly $60 billion a year. In an effort to reduce and prevent…

CFPB: Preventing Financial Exploitation on World Elder Abuse Day

By Stacy Canan June 15, 2017, marks the twelfth annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day , or WEAAD. This day isn’t likely to show up on your calendar, though it is recognized globally. Elder financial exploitation is one of the most common and devastating forms of elder abuse. It can destroy the financial security of…

CFPB: Helping People Plan of Retirement

With help, consumers can better visualize outcomes, plan their decision-making, and make the best decisions about their retirement finances. By Irene Skricki In a recent study, we tested ways to help people better visualize the results of their retirement choices and plan ahead for significant decisions. When people approach retirement age, they have to make…

ABA: How to Protect Your Loved One from Financial Abuse

ABA Foundation offers tips to help families and individuals stop elder financial abuse ​WASHINGTON — Financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of abuse committed against older Americans. According to a Metlife study, an estimated $2.9 billion is lost annually to scams explicitly targeting seniors.  In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day…

CFPB: Thinking About When You’ll Claim Social Security Benefits Is Time Well Spent

How much will you receive from Social Security when you claim your retirement benefits? If you don’t know, you’re not alone. According to a recent study , one in five people are guessing how much their Social Security retirement benefit will be each month. As it turns out, your prediction might be off by quite…

ABA: What You Need to Know About the Grandparent Scam

​WASHINGTON — According to the Federal Trade Commission, the agency received more than 400,000 complaints in 2016 from consumers reporting they were victims of impersonation scams. One of the most common is called the “Grandparent Scam,” which uses impersonation tactics to deliberately target and exploit older Americans. To commit this crime, fraudsters call claiming to…