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| Illustration: Ingo Fast |
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A column from AARP Bulletin providing answers to important questions affecting older Americans. This month's topics: collecting Social Security benefits while living abroad, the truth about the National Do Not Call Registry, and collecting your pension from a previous job while working at a new company. |
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Consumer Alert. . . Rosemary McDougall got an unsolicited phone call at dinnertime from a telemarketer selling automotive warranties, just one day after she had taken her car to the dealer for repairs. |
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Everything You Need to Know About the Economic Stimulus Payments Find out what you need to do—even if you don't normally file taxes—to receive your check from the Internal Revenue Service. |
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The Earned Income Tax Credit—Free Money on Tax Day! Many eligible Hispanic taxpayers overlook the Earned Income Tax Credit. It’s like free money, so we tell you how to take advantage of this benefit—no matter which income tax form you use. |
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Refinance to Save Your Money…and Your Home The paperwork’s signed—the home is your own. Now all you’ll have to do is make your monthly payments. But wait: it may not be so simple. |
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The nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service helps millions of taxpayers every year. Can it help you? |
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Consumer Alert... As foreclosure rates soar, predatory "rescue" lenders are promising 11th-hour help—then disappearing with your money, leaving you homeless. |
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Stop paying full price at the checkout line: smart tips to help you pocket a few extra dollars. |
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Get Above Water: When You Can't Make the Mortgage Payments Many homeowners are struggling to make their mortgage payments and too many now feel that they are drowning in debt and at risk of foreclosure. If you have that sinking feeling, there are some things that you can do to save your home. |
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Virtual Meetings With Family and Friends Overseas With today's technology, you can call family and friends around the world for free or at low cost. |
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Jane Bryant Quinn says that the traditional safety nets of Social Security, pensions and personal savings are no longer enough to support us in our retirement. |
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Travel insurance equals peace of mind, and many travelers agree: sales have tripled since September 11. Despite the cost—4 to 8 percent of the trip's total price—nearly a third of all travelers insured their vacations in 2006. |
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A Tradition of Financial Planning Retirement planning is a self-taught skill for most Hispanics. The Merlos are taking what they've learned and teaching not only their children, but also their grandchild, how to be financially secure. Plus: What is your retirement strategy and how are you teaching your family good habits? Let us know on our message board. |
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Under new Internal Revenue Service guidelines, if you use direct deposit for your refund, you can divide it among up to three checking and savings accounts. |
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Americans 45-plus think they know the costs of long-term care services, and long-term care insurance can provide security for a rainy day. But can you afford it? |
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Hispanic-owned banks offer greater cultural sensitivity and customized products and services. Knowing what they offer can help you get the best service from a bank in your community. |
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Put Your Retirement on Remote Control With target-date lifecycle funds, you make just one decison: when you want to retire. The fund company does the rest. |
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Hispanics spend more time on their cell phone than their non-Hispanic counterparts. As companies roll out cell phone plans with bells and whistles designed to capitalize on this statistic, choosing a plan carefully becomes even more important. |
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Trying to save extra money for retirement, education, vacations, or something fun? Use our tips and find, in everyday places, extra cash to stash. |
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Many credit card companies are introducing savings programs that use your credit purchases to help build your bank account. |
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Special Report: Building Financial Security Learn simple steps from some of the most trusted voices in personal finance to reach financial security at 50, 60, 70, and beyond. Web Exclusive: AARP Segunda Juventud Online puts the power in your hands: |
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Simplify the maze of information on life insurance. It isn't for you; it's for the people who rely on your income and who will continue to need your help when you're gone. |
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That hefty tax refund you may be looking forward to might seem like a windfall, but it comes at a price. |
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Helpful and simple ways to keep to a budget and share in the gift-giving during this holiday season. |
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Building Blocks: A Look at Reverse Mortgages Find out how to use the equity in your home to help clear your debt, pay for your grandchildren's education, or help with your everyday expenses. Plus: Use our Web-exclusive reverse mortgage calculator to find out how much you could borrow. |
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Does it matter which investments you put into your tax-deferred retirement account and which go into your taxable brokerage or savings bank account? You bet! It mattered under old tax laws, and it still matters under the new ones. Here’s what you need to know. |
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Long-Term Care: When the Quality of Life Carries a Price Historically, the Hispanic community has taken care of their elders but that is beginning to change. Follow these tips to help you make some smart financial decisions early in the process. Plus, find out how Puerto Rico is trying to provide sufficient services to a rapidly aging population as it faces an impending long-term care crisis. |
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Protect yourself - and your money - with these guidelines for finding a competent financial planner. |
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Today's low interest rates might be bad news for some retirees but a gift from heaven for others. |
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If you are one of those people who gets to the end of the week and cannot account for where all the money has gone - you know who you are - then read on, this AARP program may be just what you are looking for. |
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Our guide to estate planning: seven vital steps to protect your family's future. |
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Some people may find themselves buried in debt before they have had the opportunity to learn how the system works and how to build a good credit record. Read on and learn how to avoid being seduced by easy credit. |
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Unlocking the Door to Your Own Home More and more Hispanics can now buy their own homes, but they still have obstacles to overcome, like high prices and a lack of information in their own language. |
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Video: Alma Awards
AARP is rallying individuals, policymakers, and business leader to make positive social change: from creating incentives to save for retirement to strengthening Social Security. 
Year-long Health Calendar |
