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...........................................................................................................THE STATE

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

Life
Life S
Sounds
ounds B
Brilliant
rilliant
Introducing Signia
PRIMAX - PRIme technology MAXimum performance
While many of todays hearing aids provide great amplification, after wearing them for a full day you
begin to feel the fatigue and strain of listening. With the newest technology from Signia by SIEMENS,
listening effort is reduced so all you hear is crisp, clear sound quality all day long in any environment
including restaurants, outdoors, in an airport, at a concert, while listening to music, on the phone - in
short - everywhere. And, this technology, called PRIMA X, is clinically proven to deliver better
than normal hearing that is effortless too*. Come see for yourself!

Call Today for your Appointment, No pressure and Hassle free!!

Affordable Hearing LLC Call (803) 749-6017 Today!

0% 12 MONTHS FREE FINANCING FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFIED

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EXTRA BONUS
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Not valid on previous purchases.

*Studies conducted at University of N. Colorado & Oldenburg Horzentrum showed that Speech Reception Thresholds in party situations improved up to 2.9 dB for wearers with mild to moderate hearing loss using binax
with Narrow Directionality, compared to people with normal hearing. This corresponds to over 25% improvement in speech understanding.

Patient Centered Forward Thinking Quality Driven

ROBIN HUTSON,

Hearing Aid Specialist

National Board certified &
over 25 years experience.

License #405

1060 Lake Murray Blvd.

Irmo, SC 29063

1180 Boulevard St., Ste. C

Orangeburg, SC

(803) 749-6017

(803) 531-6403

www.Affordable-HearingLLC.com

JENN CLARKE,
Hearing Aid Specialist
My 1st priority is patient care.

License #0506

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

65 Year Old Grandmother Ends

Frustration With Dental Anxiety

3G

Experiences Sheer Joy of Gorgeous Strong Teeth, and Re-ignites Her Youth and Love Life

Columbia, SC - Phyllis Hicks had been hiding something. This busy grandmother ran
the family business while taking care of her grandkids. On the outside, it looked like she
had it all, she was struggling with an ever increasingly frustrating problem that plagued
her for 30 years.
Phyllis is very scared of going to the dentist. Worse, she was even more afraid of
being judged or made to feel guilty for her anxiety. Phyllis was not able to eat the foods
that she treasured and loved and was in constant pain with her teeth.
She never smiled and was even embarrassed to be out in public, or even to play with
her grandchildren.

The Miraculous Solution that Most Anxious

Dental Patients have NO Clue About!

Fortunately for Phyllis, startling advancements in sedation dentistry provided her with options that werent available for her in the
past 30 years. Now, Phyllis is laughing, smiling, and enjoying those grandchildren with the confidence and pleasure she desires.
Her friends now admire her new smile and beauty...and some have actually admitted gossiping about what plastic surgery
she had done. After all, she is looking 10 years younger!

Phyllis Got Her Life Back

At this point, you may be wondering...

How Can I Be One of The People to Benefit From This Miraculous Solution, Too?
Dr. Greg Wych, from right here in Columbia, is a leader in providing sedation dentistry to his patients to alleviate their anxiety
and suffering while returning them to a state of overall health.

FREE CONSUMER REPORT REVEALS ALL!

If you are interested in more information, Dr. Wych has created a FREE Report,
Do you experience the paralyzing fear of dentistry?
To receive your FREE Report please call (803) 781-1600. To request an appointment, go to the website www.gregorywych.com.
Dr. Wych, I wanted to tell you what a difference my new
veneers have made in my life. I now find myself smiling
without hesitation. I have a new found confidence. I am
very proud of my teeth, and cannot thank you and your
staff enough for giving me the gift of a beautiful smile.

They were very friendly and made you feel

right at home. Dr. Wych is always kind and
gentle.

-Gwen Brennan
Prosperity, SC

-Virginia Wood
Columbia, SC

(Office) (803) 781-1600

www.gregorywych.com

4G

...........................................................................................................THE STATE

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

Local activities and classes for seniors

CITY OF COLUMBIA
SENIOR PROGRAMS

www.icrc.net/50-better

1111 Parkside Drive; (803)

545-3100; www.columbiasc.
net/parks-recreation/
programs/senior

UPCOMING TRIPS include these excursions.

Day trips are offered approximately once a week.
A May 4, June 2 and July
6, Harrahs Cherokee Casino in North Carolina. $27.
A May 11, Wildlife Walking Trail at the Sewee
Center in Awendaw. $29.
A May 18-19, BBQ , Beans
& Bluegrass in Gatlinburg,
Tennessee: Visit Dollywood
for the BBQ and Bluegrass
Festival and tour Bushs
Baked Beans Museum.
Price depends on occupancy, $170-$255.
A May 24 or 25, Boykin
Mill Complex Tour. $40.
A June 9, Historic Beaufort. $54.
A June 20-26, Tunica and
Memphis, Tennessee. Pricing depends on occupancy,
$581-$826.
A July 21, Fine Arts &
Moonshine in Anderson:
Tour Anderson Arts Center and Palmetto Moonshine Distillery. $38.
SEE THE ACTIVITY
GUIDE, www.icrc.net/
activity-guide, for more.

THE 2016 SENIOR TRIPS

PROGRAM includes these
excursions:
A June 7 and Nov. 8,
Cherokee Indian Casino.
$34.
A Sept. 10-18, Cape Cod
and Marthas Vineyard in
Massachusetts. $719 (double occupancy). Full payment due June 1.
A Sept. 22, pick apples in
Hendersonville, N.C. $34.
A Oct. 10-13, S.C. Senior
Beach Retreat in Myrtle
Beach. Price based on
room occupancy. Full
payment due July 31.
A Dec. 6, National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, N.C.
Price to be announced.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
A Active Adults Olympic
Games: Evening competitions. Locations vary.
A Senior Expo and Fun
Day: The May event includes health screenings,
vendors, cooking demonstrations and more. Free.
A Bingo Blitz: 1-4 p.m.
on the first Wednesday of
each month at the Eau
Claire Print Building,
3907 Ensor Ave. $3.
A Holiday Seniors Ball:
The semi-formal event
includes dinner, dancing,
prizes and free photos.
CLUBS are available at
these neighborhood parks:
A Drew Wellness Center,
2101 Walker Solomon;
(803) 545-3200.
A Greenview Park, 6700
David St.; (803) 754-5223.
A Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Ave.; (803) 733-8445.
A Keenan House,
801 Wildwood Ave.;

PROVIDED PHOTO Lisa Austin

From left, Melinda Harrill, Josanne Wilson, Candy Waites and Connie Derrick celebrate
after a workout at Koru Group Fitness.

(803) 545-3091.
A Lorick Park, 1600
Lorick Ave.; (803) 6919339.
A Martin Luther King Jr.
Park, 2300 Green St.;
(803) 733-8452.
A Pinehurst Park, 2300
Pinehurst Ave.; (803)
733-8449.
A St. Annas Park, 1301
Liberty Hill Road; (803)
733-8450.
RICHLAND COUNTY
RECREATION
COMMISSION
7473 Parklane Road;
(803) 741-7272;
www.richlandrec.com

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES:
A Black Cowboy Festival
Trip will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
May 7. The festival features horse shows, rodeo
events, arts, music, food
and demonstrations in
Rembert. $35, Richland
County residents; $40,
nonresidents.
A First Fridays dances
are 7 p.m.-midnight the
first Friday of the month
at the Adult Activity Cen-

ter, 7494 Parklane Road,

and feature line dancing
with a DJ. $10 per person.
A Sweet Grass Festival
Trip, noon-7 p.m. June 4,
travels to Mount Pleasant
and Charleston, where
participants can buy sweet
grass baskets and other
arts and crafts, see basketmaking demonstrations,
and enjoy live music and
performances. $40, residents; $45, nonresidents.
A Red Carpet Gala for
Surviving Veterans will be
6 p.m.-midnight Sept. 10
at the Adult Activity Center. Black-tie affair. Free
for veterans.
OTHER CLASSES AND
ACTIVITIES are available
at individual sites. See
www.richlandrec.com/
info/activities for details.
FITNESS ROOMS, $10/
month or $75/year, residents; $15/month or $80/
year, nonresidents.
LEXINGTON COUNTY
RECREATION & AGING
COMMISSION
www.lcrac.com

Community senior centers offer various programs, classes and trips.

Batesburg-Leesville
Andre Bauer Senior Center, 241 Highland Ave.,
Batesburg-Leesville; (803)
532-4536.
Gilbert-Summit Senior
Center, 409 Broad St.,
Gilbert; (803) 892-5745.
Lexington Senior Center,
108 Park Road, Lexington;
(803) 957-7979.
Pelion Senior Center,
210 Pine St., Pelion; (803)
894-4351.
Pine Ridge Senior Center, 2753 Fish Hatchery
Road, West Columbia;
(803) 755-1274.
Swansea Senior Center,
197 N. Lawrence St.,
Swansea; (803) 568-4545.
Tri-City Senior Center,
485 Brooks Ave., West
Columbia; (803) 939-9311.
IRMO-CHAPIN
RECREATION
COMMISSION
5605 Bush River Road;
(803) 772-1228;

MORE
SENIOR RESOURCES
(www.seniorresourcesinc.
org) wellness centers:
A Bishop Avenue Wellness Center, 7429 Bishop
Ave.; (803) 691-1489.
A Blythewood Wellness
Center, 1424 Marthan
Road, Blythewood; (803)
786-2826.
A Eastover/Mamie Hinton Wellness Center, 117
Henry St., Eastover; (803)
353-0532.
A Hopkins Wellness
Center, 150 Hopkins Park
Road, Hopkins; (803)
783-9374.
LOURIE CENTER, 1650
Park Circle; (803) 7791971.

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Active! Your Best

Life after 50
Sunday, April 24, 2016

Sara Johnson Borton

President and Publisher
Bernie Heller
Vice President
of Advertising
Kathy Allen
Director of Marketing
Rebekah Lewis Hall
Special Projects
Coordinator
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

About this
section
Active! Your Best Life after
50 is a new advertising
section of The State Media
Company exploring the
rich lives of senior citizens,
from local activities to
financial planning.
Content was provided by
the Social Security
Administration, StatePoint
Media (which has no
affiliation with The State
Media Company) and staff
reports.
Does your organization
work with Midlands-area
seniors? Contact
rhall@thestate.com about
submitting content.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

On the cover
Candy Waites lifts weights
during a workout at Koru
Group Fitness. Photo
provided by Lisa Austin.
.......................................................

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

Introducing
New Made for iPhone
hearing aids

Also introducing
Twin Compressor
Technology:
Allows independent
processing of
speech & music!

Halo 2 h
hearing
aids
are
designed
earing a
ids a
re d
esigned to:
to:
> Deliver pristine audio and exceptional listening clarity
> Help you hear comfortably in any noisy environment
> Stream phone calls, music and more, directly
from your iPhone to your hearing aids

Best Of Award Winner

for 2nd consecutive year!

Michele B. Frazier, M.Ed

Licensed and Certified Audiologist

> Eliminate buzzing and whistling

$600

Kenneth H. Johns, Au.D

Off a pair of Halo 2 hearing aids

Doctor of Audiology

2016 Starkey. All Rights Reserved.

44508-16_4/16
Made for iPod, Made for iPhone, and Made for iPad mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod, iPhone, or iPad, respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet
Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod, iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch
may affect wireless performance. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Halo 2 and TruLink are compatible with
iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad (4th generation), iPad mini 3, iPad mini with Retina display, iPad mini, iPod touch (5th generation) and
Apple Watch. Use of Apple Watch requires iPhone 5 or later.

MIDLAND
Hearing Associates

www.midlandhearing.com

One Wellness Blvd.

Suite 108
IRMO, SC 29063
We accept
most insurance plans

Melissa Kednocker
Audiology Assistant

Call us to schedule your

appointment today!

(803) 765-1919

3 Richland Medical Park

Suite 130
COLUMBIA, SC 29203

For over 20 years, our practice has been dedicated to better hearing, better listening, and better living for all of our patients.

5G

6G

...........................................................................................................THE STATE

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

When to start receiving retirement benefits

input does not match Social
Securitys records.
At Social Security, were
Monthly benefits differ
often asked, What is the
substantially based on
best age to start receiving
when you start receiving. If
retirement benefits?
you live to the average life
The answer is that there
expectancy for someone
is no one best age for
your age, you will receive
everyone, and ultimately, it about the same amount in
is your choice. You should
lifetime benefits no matter
make an informed decision whether you start receiving
about when to apply for
benefits at age 62, full
benefits based on your
retirement age, age 70 or
individual and family cirany age in between. Basicumstances. Ask yourself:
cally, you can get lower
A Would it be better to
monthly payments for a
receive benefits early with longer period of time or
a smaller monthly amount higher monthly payments
or wait for a larger month- over a shorter period.
ly payment that you may
What you initially receive
not receive as long?
sets the base for the
A What are your current
amount you will receive for
cash needs?
the rest of your life, though
A Hows your health?
you do receive annual costA Whats your family
of-living adjustments and,
longevity history?
depending on your work
A Do you plan to work or
history, may receive higher
have other income sources benefits if you continue to
in retirement?
work. Heres an example:
A What are your future
Lets say your full retirefinancial needs and obliga- ment age is 66 and your
tions in relation to your
monthly benefit starting at
future Social Security ben- that age is $1,000. (See
efit?
chart.) Selecting benefits at
Maybe thats a lot to
age 62 means your monthly
ponder, but this is a very
benefit will be reduced to
important decision. One
$750 to account for the
tool that can help you
longer period of time you
decide is the online Retire- receive benefits. This is
ment Estimator. It is a
generally a permanent
convenient, secure fireduction in your monthly
nancial planning tool since benefit. Or, by choosing to
it eliminates the need to
wait until age 70, your
manually key in years of
monthly benefit increases
earnings information. The to $1,320. This delayed
estimator will let you creretirement credit is due to
ate what if scenarios.
your postponing receiving
For example, you change benefits past your full reyour stop work dates or
tirement age. The benefit at
expected future earnings to age 70, in this example, is
create and compare differ32 percent more than you
ent retirement options. Go
would receive per month if
to www.socialsecurity.gov/ you start getting benefits at
estimator and enter the
full retirement age.
requested information
If you die before your
about yourself. You cannot spouse does, he or she may
use the Retirement Estima- be eligible for a survivor
tor if the information you
benefit based on your work

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Social Security Administration

Social Security
by the numbers
59 million number of
Americans who received
benefits in 2015
1 million number of

South Carolinians who

received some kind of
benefit in 2015

1937 the year the first

benefit was paid in a
lump-sum, onetime
payment

$1,334 average monthly

retirement benefit in South
Carolina
90% percentage of

individuals 65 and older

who receive benefits
Social Security Administration
.......................................................

JOHN LUND/SAM DIEPHUIS Thinkstock

record, particularly if you

have earned more than
your spouse has over your
lifetime. If you begin receiving Social Security
benefits early, we cannot
pay your surviving spouse a
full benefit from your record. Also, if you wait until
after the full retirement age
to get benefits, your surviving spouse if he or she is
at least full retirement age
generally will receive the
same benefit amount that
you would have received.
When you reach your full
retirement age, you can
work and earn as much as
you want and still receive

your full benefit payment. If

you are younger than full
retirement age and your
earnings exceed certain

dollar amounts, some of

your benefit payments
during the year will be
withheld. This does not

mean you must limit your

earnings. If we withhold
some benefits because of
work, we will pay you a
higher monthly benefit
when you reach full retirement age. In other words, if
you would like to work and
earn more than the exempt
amount, you should know
that it will not, on average,
reduce the total value of
lifetime benefits you receive from Social Security
and may increase them.
After you reach full
retirement age, we will
recalculate your benefit
amount to credit you for
any month in which you
did not receive some benefit because of your earnings. As long as you continue to work and receive
benefits, we will check
your record every year to
see whether the additional
earnings will increase your
monthly benefit.

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

7G

Introducing ageless,
natural-looking hair.
You Deserve it!

Financial advisers: Save for

retirement throughout career
StatePoint

Its never too early or too late to save

for your retirement, whether youre a
young saver or approaching your retirement years.
There are actions you can take to help
boost your retirement readiness at key
points throughout your life, says Jamie
Ohl, president of Retirement Plan Services at Lincoln Financial Group.
According to a 2015 Lincoln Financial
Group M.O.O.D. of America study, 92
percent of Americans agree that putting
money into a retirement plan, like a
401(k), contributes to a more secure
financial future. Ohl and the professionals at Lincoln are offering retirement
savings tips for various life stages that
can help all savers take full advantage of
their workplace retirement plan and
become more confident about their retirement readiness at every step along
the way.
GETTING STARTED
It may be tempting to spend your new
paycheck exclusively on items you want
or need now, and delay saving for retirement altogether at this point. Lincolns
M.O.O.D. study shows that 78 percent of
millennials feel that payments they need
to make now, like bills, housing, and
other necessities, make it difficult for
them to put money toward their future.
However, your monthly budget should
include a line for retirement savings.
Now is the time to create a habit of contributing regularly to your retirement
savings plan at work. As soon as its available to you, enroll in your employersponsored plan and save at least up to the
company match. Saving a small but
steady amount early on can compound
over time and pay off down the road.

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baby boomers would like to put more

money into saving for retirement, but
cannot due to present financial constraints.
Now more than ever, keep up the momentum. A financial professional can
help you evaluate your retirement savings picture and identify ways to maintain savings growth. As you navigate your
career and make job changes, be sure to
evaluate a potential employers benefits
offering including a retirement savings
plan as part of your overall compensation. Learn about what options are available to you, such as a company match,
investment choices and other resources
to help you stay on track and keep a holistic view of your savings.

IN THE HOME STRETCH

At this point, you have done most of
the hard work, and the retirement youve
envisioned is in sight. Continue to save
and set aside extra money from income
boosts or bonuses. Work with a financial
consultant to reset your savings strategies
and learn about other savings tools like
income guarantee options that may be
KEEPING IT UP
available in your plan. Familiarize yourLife can get complicated as you get
self with Social Security benefits, and any
older. From mortgage and car payments
other income sources youve secured
to education expenses to raising kids,
throughout your career.
competing financial priorities can distract
For more retirement preparation tips,
you from retirement savings goals. Resist visit www.lincolnfinancial.com.
the temptation to stop saving altogether
Being prepared for retirement requires
or borrow from your plan. Lincolns 2015 some work and planning. For a more
American Consumer Study shows that 49 comfortable financial future, dont delay
your efforts.
percent of generation X and younger

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Changing jobs or retiring?

What options do you have for your retirement plan assets?
You generally have four options for your retirement plan assets!
1. Roll over your assets into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
2. Leave your assets in your former employers plan, if allowed by the plan
3. Move your assets directly to your new employers plan, if allowed by the plan
4. Take your money out and pay the associated taxes and, possibly, penalties.
Each of these options has advantages and disadvantages and the one that is best depends
on your individual circumstances. You should consider features such as investment choices,
fees and expenses, and services offered. Your Financial Advisor can help educate you
regarding your choices so you can decide. Be sure to speak with your current retirement plan
administrator and tax professional before taking any action.
Call us today.

Peter B. Wint
Managing Director Investments
1901 Main Street, Suite 650
Columbia, SC 29201
Direct: (803) 758-2937
peter.wint@wellsfargoadvisors.com
https://home.wellsfargoadvisors.com/peter.wint
Investment and Insurance Products:

NOT FDIC Insured

NO Bank Guarantee

MAY Lose Value

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. 2009, 2014-2016 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.

8G

...........................................................................................................THE STATE

Ex-spouse
benefits
and you
Social Security Administration

Mid-April features both ExSpouse Day and Tax Day. These

two observances are extra important if you are an ex-spouse because Social Security pays benefits
to eligible former spouses. And
you may need to claim this income on your tax forms.
If you are 62 or older, unmarried and divorced from
someone entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you may be eligible to receive benefits based on his or her
record. To be eligible, you must
have been married to your exspouse for 10 years or more. If
you have since remarried, you
cant collect benefits on your
former spouses record unless
your later marriage ended by
annulment, divorce or death.
Also, if youre entitled to benefits on your own record, your
benefit amount must be less than
you would receive based on your
ex-spouses work. In other words,
well pay the higher of the two
benefits for which youre eligible,
but not both.
You can apply for benefits on
your ex-spouses record even if
he or she hasnt retired, as long
as you divorced at least two years
before applying. The same rules
apply for a deceased former
spouse.
The amount of benefits you get
has no effect on the benefits of
your ex-spouse and his or her
current spouse. Visit Retirement
Planner: If You Are Divorced at,
www.socialsecurity.
gov/retire2/divspouse.htm to
find all the eligibility requirements you must meet to apply as
a divorced spouse. Our benefits
planner gives you an idea of your
monthly benefit amount. If your
ex-spouse died after you divorced, you can still quality for
widows benefits. Youll find
information about that in a note
at the bottom of the website.

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

Social Security survivor benefits

cord, the agency will check to

see if you can get more as a
widow or widower. Youll need
to provide your spouses death
certificate to process your claim
unless the funeral director has
already sent proof of death.
How much a family receives
depends on the average lifetime
earnings of the deceased. Contact the SSA soon after the
death of the worker because
benefits may not be retroactive.

Social Security Administration

It does not matter whether

its unexpected or after a
lengthy illness. The painful
numbness one feels after the
death of a loved one is oftentimes hard to bear alone. Emotional and sometimes financial
support from family and friends
is essential.
Social Security survivor benefits can be key in helping families
after the death of a worker and
assure a legacy of hope for orphans and widows. In fact, survivor benefits can be worth more
than some life insurance policies.
In 2015, benefits paid to a surviving spouse on average were
$1,285 per month; a surviving
spouse with two children received, on average, $2,647.
In addition to your spouse
and minor children, other people who may qualify for benefits
if you die include your dependent parents, your divorced
spouse, and disabled adult children who were disabled before
age 22. Its important that you
are aware of these benefits in
planning the financial security
of your family. You should
know who can get benefits and
how much. Your family should
know how to apply for survivors benefits and how work or
other sources of income may
affect the benefits they receive.
WHO CAN GET BENEFITS?
Widows or widowers may
receive full benefits at full retirement age or reduced benefits as early as age 60 (50 if
disabled). A surviving divorced
spouse may qualify for benefits
as long as the marriage lasted
10 years.
The surviving divorced widows benefit will not affect a
current widows benefit. Dependent children of the deceased in a surviving spouses
care are paid at any age until
the youngest child reaches age
16, or as long as a child who is

ANDREA OBZEROVA iStock

disabled before age 22 remains

disabled.
If you receive survivor benefits and you remarry before age
60, benefits will generally stop.
Remarriage after age 60 will
not prevent you from getting
benefit payments based on
either the deceased spouses or
current spouses work (not
both). At age 62 or older, you
should also inquire about receiving under your personal
Social Security number.
Children: Unmarried children
younger than 18, or up to 19 if
they are still in high school
full-time, may receive benefits.
Your child can get benefits at
any age if he or she was disabled before age 22 and remains disabled. Benefits may
also be paid to your stepchildren, adopted children or
grandchildren under certain
circumstances.

Dependent parents: If you are

paying more than one-half support for your parents, they may
also qualify for benefits when
you die if they are age 62 or
older.
Perhaps youve seen the TV
ads for life insurance benefits
that feature an elderly lady
describing her deceased husbands Social Security survivors
benefit as a lump-sum death
payment, Its only $255 not
enough to bury him. But Social
Securitys survivors benefits
are a lot more than just a lumpsum payment; payments can
amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases.
Should you already receive
benefits as a wife or husband on
your spouses record, the Social
Security Administration will
change your payment to survivor benefits. If you receive
benefits only on your own re-

WORK AND BENEFITS

While most types of income
will not affect your Social Security checks, there are two types
that may.
A Wages (or self-employment
net earnings) over the annual
earnings limit will reduce your
survivor benefit. If you are
younger than your full retirement age, the reduction rate for
2016 is $1 in benefits for every
$2 in earnings over $15,720. If
you reach full retirement age in
2016, your benefits will be reduced $1 for each $3 you earn
over $41,880. The month you
reach full retirement age (see
full retirement age ranges at
www.socialsecurity.gov), you
can receive full benefits no
matter how much you earn.
A Your benefit amount may
be affected if you work in a
government job that is not covered by Social Security and you
earn your own pension. This is
called government pension
offset, which means your Social Security spouse or survivors benefit may be reduced by
two-thirds of the amount of the
government pension.
The chance of collecting
survivor benefits is greater than
most people realize. Therefore,
it is good to know that virtually
all workers have Social Security
survivor protection.
For information on this important Social Security protection, visit www.socialsecurity.
gov or call 1-800-772-1213. You
also can visit your local Social
Security office.

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

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SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

Thinking about Medicare?

Heres what you need to know
Social Security Administration

Has Medicare been on your

mind lately? Whats this Part A
and B stuff? And why would
someone get one and not the
other? Here are the nuts and
bolts.
A Part A (hospital insurance)
helps pay for inpatient care in a
hospital or skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay, some
home health care, and hospice
care.
A Part B (medical insurance)
helps pay for doctors services
and many other medical services
and supplies not covered by
hospital insurance.
A Part C is a Medicare advantage plan that allows you to
choose your health care coverage through a provider organization. You must have Part A
and Part B to enroll in Part C.
This plan usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage
and may include extra benefits
and services at an additional
cost.
A Part D is prescription drug
coverage. There is a separate
monthly premium for this plan;
however, people with low resources and income may qualify
for extra help with Medicare
prescription drug costs from
Social Security. Visit www.social
security.gov/prescriptionhelp to
see if you qualify.
If you are within four months
of turning 65 or older, want to
receive Medicare benefits only,
plan to delay applying for
monthly Social Security benefits
for four months or longer, and
reside in the United States or
one of its territories or commonwealths, you should consider
filing online (www.social
security.gov). It takes less than
10 minutes.

RYAN MCVAY ThinkStock

People who already are receiving Social Security retirement or

disability benefits automatically
will be enrolled in Medicare and
do not need to complete the
online application.
When you become eligible to
apply for Medicare Part A, you
also have the option of enrolling
in Part B for a monthly premium. Some people initially decide
not to, but they may rethink that
decision as medical needs
change. Thats where enrollment periods come into play.
When you become eligible for
Part A, you have a seven-month
initial enrollment period in

which to sign up for Part B. It

begins three months before your
65th birthday and ends three
months after you turn 65. After
the initial enrollment period,
you can only sign up during a
later years general enrollment
period, which is Jan. 1 through
March 31. Coverage begins the
following July. For most people,
the monthly premium increases
10 percent for each 12-month
period you were eligible for but
did not enroll in Part B.
Some people pay a higher Part
B premium because they have a
higher income. If you have experienced a significant reduction

in your overall income, Social

Security might be able to reduce
the amount of your Medicare
Part B premium as well.
The significant reduction in
income can be due to a number
of changes: marriage, divorce or
annulment; death of a spouse;
work reduction; work stoppage;
reduction of income due to a
loss of income-producing property; and loss or reduction of
certain forms of pension income.
If any of these events has
happened to you, just provide
Social Security evidence of the
event and explain how it has

reduced your income. Evidence

could be a death certificate, a
letter from your employer about
your loss of work, or something
of that nature. If you filed a
federal income tax return for the
year in question, well need to
see your signed copy of the documents. If your income will not
change until the following year,
you can estimate what you think
your income will be. Once you
show us evidence of the event
and provide proof or an estimate
of your reduced income, Social
Security will update the records
and, if appropriate, adjust your
Medicare Part B premium. You
can request a new decision and
ask that the agency use more
accurate tax return information
if one of the following is true:
A You amended your tax return for the year we used to
determine your premium and it
changes the income we count.
A You provide proof from IRS
of an error in the tax return
information we used to make
our decision.
A Your tax filing status for the
year we used to determine your
premium was married filing
separately and you did not live
with your spouse at any time
during that year.
So, if you wish to report a
significant reduction in your
income so we can adjust your
Medicare Part B premium or
youre trying to decide when to
apply for Medicare, visit our
website at www.socialsecurity.
gov and select Medicare at the
top of the page on the right side.
You can also call us toll-free at
1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1800-325-0778) or visit your
local Social Security office.
Medicares website at
www.medicare.gov has great
information, too.

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

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735 Saturn Pkwy. Columbia, SC 29212

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SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

4 tips to live better

in retirement
StatePoint

PROVIDED PHOTO StatePoint

A walk-in tub, pedestal sink and raised-height toilet are key bathroom safety features.

Home design tips for baby boomers

StatePoint

There are about 76.4 million baby

boomers in the U.S., according to the
Population Reference Bureau. As this
population ages, it will become important that features on their houses promote safety, are easy-to-maintain, and
last a long time.
Whether building from the ground up
or remodeling a current home, take
aging in place into consideration every
step of the way. Here are some great
projects to consider with strong payback.
A BETTER BASEMENT
When building a new home, choose
your foundation carefully. Not only is an
uninsulated basement a source of heat
loss, but its throwing away space that can
enhance your life. A liveable basement
can be designated as a grandkid zone, a
home office or a crafting workshop.
You can use a pre-cast insulated concrete foundation system, such those
from Superior Walls, to create an energy-efficient damp-proof basement. This
foundation will help reduce utility bills
for long-term savings. Reinforced concrete walls create a permanent barrier
against water, and pre-engineered access
for wiring or plumbing features are a key
element to whatever vision you have for
this subterranean space.
FIRST-FLOOR PRIVACY
Many seniors opt to spend more of
their time at home on the easy-to-navi-

gate ground floor. But dont compromise

privacy in pursuit of accessibility.
Privacy windows can alleviate concerns
you have about neighbors seeing you go
about your business. For example, those
from Hy-Lite are offered in numerous
styles and designs, including opaque decorative glass, acrylic block and true glass
block windows. Silkscreen glass designs
can complement the overall style of the
home. From your master suite to your
bathroom to the main rooms of your
home, avoid prying eyes with this crucial
component of stylish first-floor living.
SAFE, COMFORTABLE BATHROOMS
As mobility and coordination decline,
slips and falls can make bathrooms a
hazardous place. Think of the years ahead
by seeking bathroom features compliant
with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Taller toilets that are easier to rise
from, pedestal sinks that allow wheelchairs and walkers access, and walk-in
tubs that promote easy entries and exits,
are all bathroom features people may
need as they age, says Jean Dimeo, a
certified aging in place specialist.
Brands like Mansfield Plumbing are
accommodating the boomer population by
offering selections of SmartHeight toilets,
pedestal, under counter and wall mounted
sinks. A popular product, Restore walk-in
tubs, come with whirlpool and inline heater options to sooth aching muscles and
joints. With many high-design fixtures and
fittings available, a safe bathroom does
not need to be just a utilitarian one.

The conceptions and

realities of retirement have
changed a great deal over
the past several decades,
giving many seniors misgivings about the future.
But your golden years can
be happy, healthy and
productive, say experts.
For many individuals,
confusion, fear and an
overwhelming sense of
powerlessness accompany
the prospect of growing old
in America. The good news
is that we have power to
address these concerns,
says Scott Page, author of
the new book Its Never
Too Late: Getting Older,
Wiser, and Worry-Free in
our Golden Years.
Are you retired or approaching the end of your
working life? Are you concerned about an older parent or loved one? Here,
Page offers expert tips on
living better:
LIVING IDEAS
Reducing housing expenses can have an extra
upside. For example, downsizing your empty nest
offers you the benefit of
less house to maintain.
Moving to a region of the
country cheaper than your
current area may take you
somewhere sunnier, warmer and better suited for
aging.
Another popular way to
live more frugally is to consider taking on a roommate.
Co-living arrangements
like the The Golden Girls
are becoming more popular
with single or widowed
seniors. It helps save money
and can be beneficial for
socialization and support,
says Page.

PRESSMASTER Fotolia.com

MAKE MONEY
You can rake in extra
income that doesnt feel
like work. Review your
talents and hobbies. Are
you an excellent baker, a
talented woodworker or
musician?
Seniors often have a lot
of time on their hands, and
they may be able to transform hobbies or interests
into a way to make a little
money, says Page, who
points out that such activities can also be an excellent way to stay engaged
and active, keeping minds
and bodies vibrant.
SAVING TIPS
Dont be shy about using
the age card. After all, you
have worked hard for it.
Senior discounts are available at restaurants, stores,
on travel, adult education
classes and gym memberships, and sites like Restaurant.com or Groupon have
special bargain days for
seniors.
You can also save by
eliminating unnecessary
expenses. For example do
you still need that landline
telephone? Can you bundle

certain services to help

reduce costs?
Do an inventory of your
possessions to determine
which objects to keep and
which to discard or sell.
Free worksheets, available
at scottpage.com/freetools, can help you make
smart decisions.
CONNECT WITH
FRIENDS
Consider planning meals
with a support network.
Maybe Sally takes Monday nights, Judy takes
Wednesday nights and
Sarah takes Friday nights,
says Page. Cooking for
more than one person encourages community, and
can be cost-effective if
everyone is sharing in the
responsibility.
Maintain an active social
media presence online to
stay connected to friends
and family. Those with the
same interests as you are
just a mouse click away.
More information about
the book can be found at
www.scottpage.com.
With smart strategies you
can free yourself from
worry about aging, while
getting wiser over time.

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

Navigating tax forms for

Social Security benefits
Social Security Administration

If you receive Social Security benefits,

one of the documents you will need when
filing your federal income tax return is
your Social Security Benefit Statement
(Form SSA-1099).
Your Social Security benefits may be
taxable. This includes monthly retirement,
survivor and disability benefits. About
one-third of people receiving benefits must
pay taxes on some of these benefits, depending on their amount of taxable income. Usually, tax is due only if you have
other substantial income such as wages,
self-employment, interest, dividends, and
other income that must be reported on
your tax return in addition to your benefits. You will never have to pay taxes on
more than 85 percent of your Social Security benefits, based on Internal Revenue
Service rules.
To find out whether you must pay
taxes on your benefits, you will need your
Social Security Benefit Statement (Form
SSA-1099). You should automatically
receive your 1099 form each January. It
shows the total benefits you received
from Social Security in the previous year
so you know how much Social Security
income to report to the IRS. The 1099
form is not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income, as
SSI payments are not taxable.
You can get an instant replacement
1099 form quickly and easily by using your
secure online My Social Security account.
If you dont already have an account, you
can create one in minutes. Follow the link
to the My Social Security page, and go to

The

FriendShip

The FriendShip is a non-profit organization that offers

p
rograms aand
nd sservices
ervices tto
o iits
ts m
embers w
ho aare
re aage
ge 5
0
programs
members
who
50
and over, who wish - and are able - to age-in-place.
CREATAS ThinkStock

Sign In or Create an Account. Once

you are logged in, select the Replacement
Documents tab to obtain your replacement 1099 form. If you create a My Social
Security account, you can also use it to
keep track of your earnings each year,
manage your benefits and more.
You can also obtain a replacement
1099 form by calling us at 1-800-7721213, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by contacting your local Social
Security office. If you live outside of the
United States, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
With a my Social Security account,
gathering your Social Security information for tax season has never been easier.
Open your personal My Social Security
account today at www.socialsecurity.gov/
myaccount.

Helping Seniors Stay Home

Owned by the author of The Caregivers Training Program

803-791-9115 seniorsfirsthomecare.com

Seeking volunteers and members!

Call 803-799-2919 x122 or visit
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Lead workshops and seminars
Provide online or telephone mentoring
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Serve in a leadership capacity with SCORE
Serve within other capacity at SCORE
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Have flexibility with your volunteering time

Enjoy the satisfaction of contributing to the success of others

Share great experience with other SCORE volunteers
Provide leadership in the business community Gain recognition and respect as a business mentor
Grow professionally and personally Make new friends Participate in lifelong learning

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www.midlands.score.org 803-765-5131 email: score230@bellsouth.net

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SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

Help parents
plan someday
Social Security Administration

Since your parents have done a lot for

you over your lifetime, this is the perfect
time of year to return the favor by helping
them find their someday at
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
In May, we honor mothers on Mothers
Day, and in June, we thank our fathers on
Fathers Day. In July, we get to show our
appreciation for both. Parents Day, celebrated on July 27, is a great time to make
sure your parents take the necessary steps to
have a comfortable someday in retirement.
Even if theyre still young, its never too
early to help your parents start planning for
their retirement or help them imagine what
their Someday might look like. When you
ask them about their retirement plans,
encourage each of them to open their own
secure My Social Security accounts at
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Its
quick, easy and free to do!
My Social Security features several tools
to guide your parents through the retirement process, whether theyre just starting
to think about it or theyre already retired.
Before retiring, your parents can view their
Social Security Statement to verify the accuracy of their earnings records and find
out what benefits they can expect to receive
at age 62, full retirement age, and at age
70. They can also get personalized benefit
estimates using the Retirement Estimator
at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. The
Estimator shows different scenarios, including how future wage changes or alternate retirement dates will affect their
future benefits.
Once your parents have retired and are
receiving Social Security benefits, they can
use their accounts to:
A Check benefit information.
A Get an instant letter with proof of their
benefits.
A Change their address and phone number.
A Get a replacement SSA-1099.
A Get a replacement Medicare card.
A Start or change their direct deposit or
electronic payment method.
Retirement is a big life change, so let
your parents know youll be there for them
just as theyve been there for you! When
you help them sign up for My Social Security at www.socialsecurity/myaccount,
youre showing that their someday
means something to you.

PROVIDED PHOTO StatePoint

Caring for older relatives

environment, living with
strangers, says health care
It can be difficult for famsystems expert Jack Zhang,
ilies when an elderly loved
President and CEO of the
one starts to weaken physical- fast-growing health techly and mentally. While nursing nology company, Vitall Inc.
homes are an option, most are
Caring for older parents
extremely expensive, and
and relatives doesnt necesmost seniors would prefer to
sarily need to involve relocaremain in familiar surroundtion or spending tens of thouings. Fortunately, there are
sands of dollars annually.
now more choices available
Zhang says there are a few
that can provide seniors the
important things to consider.
freedom to continue living
TECH UPDATES
safely in their own home.
New technologies make
The average cost of an
looking after and staying
assisted living facility is
connected to the seniors in
$43,200 annually, and the
your life easier and more
cost of a nursing home with
private room can top $90,000 affordable. For example,
HeyMomDad, the worlds
a year, according to the 2015
first two-way communication
Genworth Cost of Care Surand wellness monitoring
vey. Such a huge, ongoing
system, allows loved ones to
expense can impact the average family, whether they have see and hear in real time that
elderly relatives are safe
prepared financially or not.
simply by opening an app on
Even for families where
their smartphones.
such costs are not prohibSeniors need only press one
itive, parents are often relucbutton to talk to loved ones,
tant to leave homes filled
with years of memories, and notify them that help is needed, or to just say hello. Likebe placed into an unfamiliar
StatePoint

wise, with one tap, users can

instantly see, hear and talk
back to parents through the
high-quality HD video and
two-way audio component.
The camera can be controlled
through the smartphone and
directed to any location in the
room, permitting a 270-degree view. It also includes
night vision optics for clear
viewing in dark rooms.
BEYOND MONITORING
Most seniors are reluctant
to call 911 in an emergency
because theyre embarrassed
or dont want to cause a fuss
or incur an expense which
can be as high as $1,200,
even for false alarms where
paramedics were dispatched, says Zhang.
HeyMomDad gives seniors
two different alert options.
They can choose to alert only
family and friends, or alert
family, friends and 911. In
addition, the HeyMomDad
Bed Monitor tracks heart
rate, breathing rate and
movement at night.

STAYING INDEPENDENT
For many seniors, one of
the most difficult parts of
aging is loss of independence.
When possible, families
should consider making
homes senior friendly, adding safety bars in the shower
and bath, eliminating tripping hazards, improving
lighting in hallways and outdoor walkways, and making
kitchens more accessible
with countertops and cabinets that can rise or lower
with the push of a button.
And new two-way communication and monitoring
systems can add further
peace of mind. More information can be found at
www.HeyMomDad.com or
1-800-352-0887.
Before making big decisions
about your parents and aging
relatives housing and care,
take new innovations into
consideration. These alternatives can save your family
thousands of dollars, give you
peace of mind and improve
your familys quality of life.

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

TRADE IN YOUR

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

WINDOWS
LD WINDOWS
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Trade in to be used towards the purchase of new energy efcient windows.

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12 Windows = $900
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Call Today for a FREE In-Home Estimate!

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www.SouthernSidingColumbia.com

735 Saturn Pkwy. Columbia, SC 29212

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StrongHold Gym

SUNDAY APRIL 24 2016

Over 30 of Columbias Fitness legends here To serve you!

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Also, special instruction on how

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For Our
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Proper form and technique
Which exercises are correct for your body
Nutritional tips on keeping muscles tight
A complete training program fit for you!

StrongHold Gym 667-9060

*see clubs for details.

*Also 3 months of free

climbing for members &
family at our Huger St. gym.