Richard L. Newman, Esquire Featured in the Intelligencer - July 5, 2010

Achievers

By: CRISSA SHOEMAKER

Bucks County Courier Times

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Getting Good Care in a Nursing Home

Nobody wants to go into a nursing home. In addition, nobody wants to see a family member go into a home. However, there are many situations where long term care in a nursing facility is the best option available. It is important to remember that someone who is about to move into a facility is entitled to and should expect THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE! This article will hopefully shed some light on how to ensure a high level of care.

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Identity Theft

Identity theft has become a major problem in the United States. A survey conducted by the Federal Trade Commission in 2003 revealed that 27.3 million Americans had been victims of identity theft in the preceding five years. That survey also indicated that the victims of identity theft had suffered five billion dollars in out of pocket expenses. A survey by Gartner, Inc. reported that 15 million Americans were victims of some kind of identity theft-related fraud in the 12 month period ending in mid-2006.

There are, however, ways to reduce the risk of identity theft.
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Medicare and Medicaid: A Basic Understanding

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 years of age or older, some disabled people under 65, and people with end stage renal disease. People already receiving Social Security benefits automatically are enrolled into Medicare beginning the first day of the month in which they turn 65. Those not receiving Social Security at age 65 are not automatically enrolled. These people may sign up for Medicare benefits at any Social Security office during the initial enrollment period, which begins three months before they turn 65 and ends three months after their 65th birthday.
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The Impact of the Deficit Reduction Act on the Use of Annuities

The use of annuities in Medicaid planning has grown in recent years, especially since the passage of the Deficit Reduction Act in 2005. In order for the purchase of an annuity to qualify as an effective transfer of assets, however, certain requirements must be met.
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Long Term Care Insurance-Deal or No Deal?

On July 17, 2007, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed the Long-Term Care Partnership Program Act. The purpose of that Act was to permit the sale of Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership policies which were mandated by the United States Congress in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Recently, the Commonwealth has begun mailing to its residents information about this program. In light of these developments, this article will explain the concept of Long-Term Care Insurance and focus on the partnership program. It will also give some insight as to who would most benefit from these policies.
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Social Security Benefits: An Introduction

The purpose of this article is to give a brief overview of Social Security Retirement Benefits, Family Benefits and Survivor Benefits. The complexity of these programs makes it impossible to fully explain all that is involved; however, it is important to at least have a basic understanding of these extremely important entitlements.
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Reverse Mortgages

The use of reverse mortgages has grown considerably over the last several years. In fact, according to the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, in the 2006 federal government’s fiscal year, the number of federally insured reverse mortgages had increased by 77 percent. According to Peter Bell, President of NRMLA, “Through proper education, more retirees are recognizing that the home they have lived in for so many years can now take care of them, by using a reverse mortgage to access the equity accumulated over 20, 30, or 40 years, to help them live more comfortably.” The reality is, however, that reverse mortgages are not for everybody, and can ultimately do someone much more harm than good.
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Special Needs Trusts

Special needs trusts or "supplemental needs" trusts allow a disabled beneficiary to receive gifts, lawsuit settlements, or other funds without losing his or her eligibility for certain government programs. These trusts are drafted so that the funds will not be considered to belong to the beneficiary when eligibility for public benefits is being determined.

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Interview with Brian Duke, the Director of the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging

Brian, can you give the readers an overview of what the Area Agency on Aging is?

The Bucks County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has its origins in work begun by the County of Bucks in 1966 to help older citizens of Bucks County. Area Agencies on Aging were formed as a result of the Older Americans Act. Through planning and the implementation and provision of a variety of services and programs, the AAA seeks to enhance the quality of life of the older persons of Bucks County.

Specifically the AAA works to develop, offer and manage services to help persons 60 years of age and older maintain their independence in their homes and communities.

The office of the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging is located at 30 East Oakland Avenue in Doylestown PA and can be reached by calling 215-348-0510.
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The Five Year Look-Back Period: Its Meaning and Significance

Many times when talking to clients about planning for long term care they tell me that they are aware of something called the “five year look-back period.” Unfortunately, many of these people have no idea what the relevance of this look-back period is. This article will attempt to explain what is meant by that term and why it is such an important concept when planning how to protect your assets from the cost of long term care.

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Will I Lose My House to a Nursing Home?

    One concern that many people have upon being confronted with the reality that skilled nursing home care is required is that they will be forced to give up their homes in exchange for going to the nursing home.   This concern becomes even greater when a married couple is involved and one spouse is planning to remain in the family home.   The good news for all who are worried about this issue is that nursing home care does not require a person to relinquish their house.

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Veterans Pension Benefits

Unfortunately it appears that very few of the men and women who served in our armed forces are aware of the benefits to which they may be entitled.  For example, one of the most useful and under utilized benefits is the Veterans’ Pension Plan.  This article will attempt to provide some information about program’s benefits and the eligibility requirements.

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