The Good News

Last Sunday I read that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has to cut spending by about 2.5 Billion because they can not borrow the money, and the revenues are down. That is good news. The bad news is that the good people will be cut, the loafs will stay. Usually the way it is.

Fred
 
...I just sent out my ballot for our Guild contract vote. Considering the current economic situation: 1. I still have a secure career with benefits 2. the contract will give me a 25% pay increase over 5 years. Hopefully, the contract will be ratified. We'll see.
 
We'll also have an opportunity to vote away our 5.3% state income tax as well. It will be interesting to see the outcome and consequences.
 
.....SleepyC is parked with full fuel tanks and the weather for the weekend is said to be warmer, not raining and the new trailer winch is here.

and Marty, How long can you hold your breath :?: :wink:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Huh? What? Sorry, I was just dozing off...... :wink:

MartyP
 
Marty said:

1. The Phillies are in the World Series

2. Social Security Benefits go up 6% 1/1/09
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/16/news/ec ... /index.htm

and....
Click to expand...

Marty, ones a professional sports game and the other is the government.

A sure bet, well that is why they call it betting :roll: :cry , and I would personally only hold my breath for a sure thing :smile .

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
From a cynic's point of view, the cost of medicare will go up 7% if social security checks go up 6% (and we will have a net loss)....My retirement and social security increases have never kept up with the increased costs of medical care premiums.
The other part of the bad news--is that inflation seems to be back...
 
Thouoght I read/heard that medicare costs to us are NOT going up. I still use my company plan anyway, it's cheaper than part B..

Charlie
 
thataway":1y3tqzrv said:
From a cynic's point of view, the cost of medicare will go up 7% if social security checks go up 6% (and we will have a net loss)....My retirement and social security increases have never kept up with the increased costs of medical care premiums.
Click to expand...

Captains Cat":1y3tqzrv said:
Thouoght I read/heard that medicare costs to us are NOT going up. I still use my company plan anyway, it's cheaper than part B..

Charlie
Click to expand...

Uh, I may be a bit financially dense in my old age, Doc, but my Social Security check is at least 15 times what I pay for Medicare Part B and I've already experienced a few "Part B" increases and my SS still gets bigger albeit not anywhere near Cost of Living. Could you 'splain how raising Part B by about $5 will result in a net loss for you?

Charlie be very careful with holding off on paying Part B. When you eventually do switch, you may be faced with a much higher payment since you will start paying what every new Medicare recipient pays at that time - not based at when you were initially eligible. The soon to be "New Improved" Administration may ask you to bend over....

Some huge companies have prior arrangements with Medicare, but if you happen to change insurance companies any time in the future, it can come as a rude surprise.

Oh, I forgot. You're Tricare for Life, yes? Makes no diff. You still pay Part B, right?

Don
 
Yes Don, I am TFL. And no, I don't think I have to pay Part B if I use that. I probably will though, and it's so much cheaper now to use the company plan ($160/month for both of us) than Part B that I'll suffer the consequences later if I have to. I don't have to face that for 5 years or so unless our business takes a downturn and it's not likely to with the contracts that we have.

I think everyone will be paying what I pay for Part B when/if I do take it. There's no penalty (I think) for delaying.

Anyway, that's the way it is...I think...

Charlie
 
I've got medi care plus my union supplemental plan. I looked at part B when I became eligible and the drug coverage for me was far better with the supplemental plan which is only $150 per month so I didn't sign up for the part B. The way I understand it the price of part B is higher the longer you wait to sign up but my savings in the mean time is a far better option.
 
Hi Marty,

How is the "Series" going for you?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Great so far!
 
howbout dat Joe da pitcher!

MartyP
 
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