Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) renews the federal guidelines that seek to protect individuals whose spouses are applying for or receiving Medicaid long-term care benefits.

These protections, known as the Spousal Impoverishment Standards, help to support the financial well-being of seniors who continue residing at home while their spouse on Medicaid lives in a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home.

Qualifying for Medicaid Long-Term Care Benefits
Long-term care is prohibitively expensive for many, so a large share of adults aged 65 and older rely on Medicaid to help cover the costs.

To qualify for Medicaid long-term care benefits, however, one must generally have very limited resources. In most states, the asset limit is set at $2,000. (Certain assets, such as personal belongings and the applicant’s primary residence, do not count toward this limit.) The applicant’s income typically goes to the nursing home as well, with some exceptions.

So, what happens if a person who qualifies for Medicaid long-term care is married? How can their healthy spouse afford to remain on their own at home? This is where the Spousal Impoverishment guidelines help.

2026 Spousal Impoverishment Figures
Note that most of the latest figures, outlined below, will go into effect January 1, 2026.

Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) A spouse who continues living at home while their partner receives long-term care coverage through Medicaid can keep up to $162,660 in assets starting in 2026.

The healthy spouse, or so-called “community spouse,” then has a minimum amount of assets to live on without rendering their Medicaid spouse ineligible for benefits. This special protection is known as the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA). The maximum CSRA generally rises each year; in 2025, it was $157,920.

Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA)
In addition to CSRA, the federal government offers another level of protection for the community spouse: the Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA).

The MMNA ensures that the healthy spouse who continues to live in the couple’s home maintains a certain amount of monthly income while their partner receives their Medicaid long-term care coverage. (Learn more about the ins and outs of MMNA.)

In 2026, the maximum MMNA will be $4,066.50 (up from $3,948 in 2025). Again, this is the most in monthly income that the community spouse can keep while their spouse lives in a long-term care institution. If the healthy spouse does not make enough income to live on, this allowance comes from the income of the spouse on Medicaid.

Note that the minimum MMNA for 2026 can vary depending on your state. Alaska and Hawaii typically have slightly higher minimums. The federal government updates the minimum MMNA each July. (As of July 2025, the federal minimum was set at $2,643.75).

A Note on Income Cap States
Certain states have in place a Medicaid income cap. If you reside in one of these income cap states, you will not qualify for Medicaid if your income equals more than $2,982 (in 2026) – unless you have a certain type of trust in place. This trust, known to many as a Miller Trust, must hold any income you receive that is above that cap.

As of 2025, the income cap states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

Home Equity Limits
As mentioned above, Medicaid does not consider the primary home of an applicant as a countable asset, unless the applicant’s equity interest in their home is above a certain amount.

Your home equity equals your home’s value minus the sum of any loans you owe on the home. For 2025, the home equity limit was set to $730,000, with some states raising this limit to $1,097,000. (These figures are adjusted annually for inflation and 2026 updates are expected to follow the recent COLA trends).

Work With an Elder Law Attorney
Planning for Medicaid and navigating the Medicaid application process can be daunting. For expert assistance, consider consulting an experienced elder law attorney near you.

Access the 2026 Spousal Impoverishment Rules via the Medicaid website.

Social Security wasn’t meant to be a primary source of income for retirees when it was first created in 1935. It sought to provide an umbrella of protection for people who couldn’t save enough for retirement. Most Americans didn’t think much about Social Security, perhaps because they were living shorter lives and relying on guaranteed incomes.

Nowadays, however, you might wonder how you can increase your Social Security retirement benefits. In fact, you may be able to double or even triple your monthly checks. Read on for potential strategies available to you.

Simple Strategies to Boost Your Retirement Benefits
To help you get the most out of your Social Security retirement benefits, you can use more than one of the following strategies, though some of them have conditions regarding who can use them:

1. Work at Least 35 Years
How much you get from Social Security depends on the years during which you earn the most money. Your payout decreases if you haven’t worked for at least 35 years.

If you work for more than 35 years, a year with higher earnings will cancel out a year with lower earnings when figuring out your Social Security income. (Read more on how the Social Security Administration, or SSA, calculates retirement benefits.)

2. Work Until Your Full Retirement Age
You can file for benefits payments as early as age 62. Yet early retirement means getting smaller monthly payments from Social Security. Your full retirement age will vary depending on the year you were born.

For example, for people born after 1960, full retirement age is 67 years. You’ll always incur a penalty if you claim before you reach your full retirement age.

Note that if you file for Social Security before you reach full retirement age and then keep working, you might not get all your benefits immediately.

Anyone under full retirement age who gets Social Security retirement benefits and makes more than $21,240 in 2023 will have $1 taken out of their check for every $2 they make over the cap. The cap will increase to $22,320 in 2024. The year you’ll reach full retirement age, the most you can earn goes up to $56,520 (in 2023), and the penalty goes down to $1 being taken out for every $3 you earn over the cap.

Once you reach full retirement age, however, you can work and get Social Security without a penalty. The SSA will recalculate your benefits to account for delayed past benefit payments and continued earnings.

3. Delay Claiming Social Security Until You’re 70
You don’t have to claim your Social Security benefit immediately if you don’t need the money. If you delay your payments past your full retirement age and wait longer, you may become eligible for delayed retirement credits that increase your monthly payment. Eventually, you may get more each month.

Every year until age 70, payments will increase by about 8 percent. After that, waiting to sign up for Social Security won’t benefit you in any way.

For example, if you are 67 and can start getting $1,000 a month from Social Security, you could get $1,240 a month if you wait until you turn 70. These higher payments will continue for the rest of your life, and every year, they rise to help in keeping up with inflation.

Many financial planners suggest their clients use other financial resources, such as retirement funds, if that allows them to delay filing for Social Security.

SSA workers sometimes tell people wrongly that they can’t suspend their payouts; visit the SSA website to get the facts.

4. Get Social Security Benefits for Your Spouse
If you’re married, there are also strategies that may allow you to get more out of Social Security.
Spouses who don’t make as much money as their partner might get more from a spousal benefit than from their own retirement benefit. You can get up to half of what the person who makes more money receives when they reach full retirement age.

The spouse making more money must receive retirement benefits in order for their partner to get a spousal benefit. (Learn more about how the SSA calculates these benefits and its other requirements.)

When couples decide how to use Social Security, they should consider the benefits for a surviving spouse. A widow or widower may be able to get survivor payments as a surviving spouse.

Suppose the benefit amount from the deceased spouse is greater than the surviving spouse’s current benefit. In that case, the surviving spouse may be able to get the deceased partner’s survivor benefit while their own benefit grows. At a later age, the surviving spouse can switch to their own benefit.

It can be complicated to coordinate benefits with a spouse. You might want to use a Social Security claiming calculator to determine your choices. You can pay for services such as Social Security Solutions or Maximize My Social Security; or, use AARP’s free calculator.

5. Investigate Divorced Spousal Benefits
If you’re not married right now but were previously married for at least 10 years, you may qualify for spousal benefits based on your ex-spouse’s work record.

Benefits can be up to half of the worker’s total retirement payout. You must be at least 62 years old to access these benefits, and you don’t have to be receiving a benefit of your own. (This differs from regular spousal benefits, where the primary worker usually has to apply before the spouse can get anything.) However, if you remarry, divorced spousal benefits stop.

If your ex-spouse died and you were married for at least 10 years, you may get up to 100 percent of their survivor benefits.

You can get divorced survivor benefits even after getting married again if you are 60 or older (or 50 or older if you have a disability). You may also be able to receive these benefits at any age if you’re caring for your ex’s child who is under age 16 or disabled (in this case, you need not have been married for 10 years). People getting survivor benefits can switch to their own benefits later if they are bigger; the same goes for the other way around.

Survivor benefits are based on how much your ex was getting or how much they would have received at full retirement age. (If your ex delayed starting benefits until after the full retirement age, the delayed retirement credit is added to the survivor benefit.)

Again, if you claimed benefits before you reached full retirement age, your payouts will be lower.

6. Look into Children’s Benefit Payments
Suppose you are retired, get Social Security benefits, and have dependent children under age 19. In that case, your children may be able to collect Social Security payments based on your work record. Those who are eligible may get up to half of a parent’s full retirement income, up to certain limits, each year.

Usually, eligible kids must be younger than 18, single, in full-time high school until 19 years old, or have incurred a serious disability before they turned 22.

Keep in mind that a family maximum limits how much a family can get based on the earnings record of one worker. The most a family can receive is between 150 percent and 188 percent of a worker’s monthly payout at full retirement age. If your total family benefits exceed the limit, the worker would still get a full check, but the payment would decrease for the kids.

Family benefits, like child and spousal benefits, are subject to Social Security’s earnings test. If the primary worker gets benefits early but still works, the payout may be cut or even removed.

7. Earn More if Possible
Whether you ask for a raise or secure a side job, earning more money may help protect you in the long run against risks like market instability, inflation, and taxes. If your wages consistently meet what the SSA refers to as the maximum taxable earnings, it will not tax you beyond that amount.

In 2025, this maximum taxable earnings cap is $176,100. Every year, the limit adjusts; in 2026, the limit will rise to $184,500. Let’s say your wages met the maximum taxable earnings limit for 35 years and you also held off on filing for Social Security until full retirement age. You would likely be among the few retirees to qualify for Social Security’s highest possible benefit payout.

This may not prove achievable for many workers. That’s why it’s crucial to pursue any number of other strategies that can help boost your retirement income.

For example, waiting until full retirement age to file means you’ll be paying more Social Security tax over time. Paying a bit more in taxes could later lead to a steady stream of higher income that considers inflation and helps to settle debt, pay for education, and meet household emergencies.

8. Lower Your Social Security Taxes
You may need to pay federal income taxes on some of your Social Security in retirement.

If your annual combined income is between $25,000 and $34,000 (or between $32,000 and $44,000 for a couple), you may have to pay taxes on up to 50 percent of your Social Security benefit. If your combined income totals more than $34,000 ($44,000 for a couple), up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable.

To get the most out of your retirement income and lower these taxes, there are plans you can pursue ahead of time to help reduce your combined income. For example, this might include having a Roth IRA from which to withdraw income, tax free, during retirement. At a certain age, you may also consider making a charitable donation from your IRA. A qualified financial planner can assist you in figuring out a range of strategies that will best suit your situation.

9. Withdraw Your Social Security Application
You may not have realized that filing early for Social Security would ultimately reduce your benefits. Within the first year after applying for Social Security, you can change your mind and request to withdraw your application. You must do so in writing and pay back all the benefits you’ve earned. Note that you can only do this once.

Withdrawing your application is not the same as suspending your benefit. Once you hit full retirement age, you can suspend your benefits anytime by contacting the SSA.

10. Look Over Your Records
The SSA keeps a record of your Social Security earnings. You can sign up for a MySocialSecurity account to access your statements each year.

You can use your W-2 form, tax return, or pay stub to check your earnings history. Check your records and verify their accuracy.

If you need help navigating Social Security benefits, visit the SSA website, call the SSA at 800-772-1213 on weekdays, or contact an experienced elder law attorney.

Medicare’s open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7, is the time for millions of Americans to review their health coverage, compare plans, and make changes for the upcoming year. A second open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans will follow from January 1 through March 31.

Unfortunately, these times also bring a surge in Medicare-related scams, as fraudsters exploit a confusing health insurance system and the flood of legitimate marketing to trick beneficiaries into giving up personal information or switching to fake plans.

How Scammers Target Medicare Recipients
During open enrollment periods, beneficiaries are bombarded with advertisements for Medicare Advantage plans and Part D prescription drug plans. This legitimate activity provides cover for scammers, who mimic real insurers and use deceptive tactics to steal personal data, commit identity theft, or enroll people in unauthorized plans. Common scams include:

• Unsolicited phone calls or robocalls: Scammers pose as Medicare representatives or licensed agents, offering “better coverage” or claiming your current plan is expiring. They often pressure you to share your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account information.
• Phishing emails and text messages: Fraudsters send messages that look official, often using Medicare logos or similar language. They may direct you to fake websites that collect your personal information.
• Door-to-door visits: Though some legitimate insurance agents do home visits, Medicare itself never sends representatives door-to-door. Scammers may use this tactic to obtain sensitive documents or signatures.
• High-pressure sales tactics: If someone insists you must “act now” or lose coverage, it’s a red flag. Legitimate agents are required by law to give you time to review your options and cannot enroll you without your consent.
• Fake enrollment forms or plan offers: Some scammers mail counterfeit materials that appear to be from Medicare or well-known insurance companies. These forms often ask for personal or financial information that can later be used for fraud.

What to Know About Plan Solicitations
Remember that Medicare will never call you unsolicited to sell a plan, ask for payment, or request personal information. You should also be wary of anyone claiming to be a “Medicare representative.” Though licensed insurance agents may contact you, they must follow strict rules, including getting your permission before calling and providing clear information about the plan they represent.
To make changes to your coverage or explore new options, the safest ways to do so are:

• Visit the official Medicare website at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
• Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP counselors provide free, unbiased, and confidential help with Medicare choices. Find your local program at shiphelp.org.
• Work directly with your current plan provider using the phone number on your plan card.

How to Protect Yourself
From Medicare ScamsYou can minimize your risk of becoming a victim by following a few simple precautions:

• Guard your Medicare card and number like a credit card. Only share it with trusted health care providers or verified plan representatives.
• Hang up on unsolicited calls claiming to be from Medicare or an insurance company. Use the official number on your card to verify anything.
• Avoid clicking on links in emails or texts about Medicare plans. Go directly to the Medicare or insurer website instead.
• Do not feel pressured to make quick decisions. Take your time comparing plans and seeking trusted advice.
• Report suspected scams to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) in your state (smpresource.org).

Stay Informed, Stay Secure
Medicare’s open enrollment periods offer valuable opportunities to find better or more affordable coverage. But the same openness that benefits consumers can also be exploited by criminals. By staying vigilant, using trusted sources of information, and knowing how Medicare actually operates, you can make informed choices and avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
Additional Reading

Four in 10 people believe they do not have enough assets to make a will, according to Caring.com’s 2024 Wills and Estate Planning Study, which surveyed more than 2,400 individuals.

This statistic reflects a common misconception about estate planning: that it is only for the wealthy.

In reality, estate planning can benefit people across the economic spectrum. Involving more than passing on wealth, estate planning also encompasses planning for aging, illnesses, or injuries, which can be unpredictable. Estate planning allows individuals to make crucial decisions, such as who will care for their children if they pass away or what kind of care they would prefer to receive in their later years.

What Is a Will, and Why Do I Need One?
A will stands among the most basic of estate planning documents. In a will, you can specify who receives your possessions upon your death. This could include friends, family members, nonprofit organizations, or other entities. Having a valid will in place can help your loved ones avoid potential arguments over your assets, such as real estate or any items you had of sentimental value.

In this legal document, you also name someone to follow the instructions you have outlined. If you have minor children, you can appoint someone you trust as their guardian in your will. Likewise, you may put plans in place in your will for your pets should you pass away.

Keep in mind that you should update your will and the rest of your estate plan when significant changes happen in your life. For example, you may have recently welcomed a new grandchild, moved to a new state, or filed for divorce.

More People Are Saying They Do Not Have Enough Assets
The Caring.com annual survey sheds light on Americans’ views about estate planning, highlighting the misconceptions that may delay or prevent them from planning.

From 2022 to 2024, the proportion of people saying they lack adequate resources to execute a will rose by 21 percent.

Compared with respondents with higher incomes, those with lower incomes were twice as likely to report not having enough assets to make a will.

People with less education were also more likely to cite insufficient assets. Forty-three percent of respondents with a high school diploma or less education said they did not have a will because they did not have enough to leave anyone.

Few Americans Have a Will
Interestingly, 64 percent of people surveyed said having a will is very or somewhat important.

Despite this, only 32 percent have a will as of 2024 — a 6 percent decrease from 2023. In 2024, 14 percent more adults also indicated a lack of assets as a reason for not having a plan.

The Impact of Inflation
Increasing prices of goods and necessities have placed financial strain on households. Inflation has therefore shaped views on estate planning as well.

Some see rising inflation as a motivator for planning, while others see it as reducing the need for an estate plan because it magnifies their lack of financial resources.

• One in five people saw a greater need for estate planning because inflation made them worry about their loved ones’ financial futures.
• Nine percent said they believe there is less need for estate planning because inflation reduced the value of their assets.
• Eight percent said they do not need a will because they have sold their assets to combat inflation.
• Black Americans were the most likely to say inflation had affected their views of estate planning in a positive way.

Reasons for Estate Planning
While some never intend to create an estate plan, others delay planning, waiting for certain life events to take place.

Approximately one in four Americans report that nothing would prompt them to get a will. Forty-three percent cited procrastination as the reason for not making a will.

Many Americans wait for medical diagnoses, major purchases, retirement, or family changes before they start estate planning.

• Forty-three percent of people surveyed said they would make a will after a serious medical diagnosis or health concern.
• About a quarter of people indicated they would start estate planning after purchasing a home or retiring.
• Seventeen percent said that the death of a loved one would motivate them to start planning.
• Fifteen percent said they would make an estate plan if it were part of an employer benefit.

While many people wait for a motivator to start estate planning, it can be challenging to predict when an illness, injury, death, or significant life change may occur. Being proactive and creating an estate plan in advance of life events can offer a layer of protection.

Work With Your Estate Planning Attorney
Even if you think you do not have enough assets to make a will, there are many benefits to having an estate plan. Your estate planning attorney can support you in creating a plan for the future that addresses your needs. They also can help you prepare advance directives such as powers of attorney, appoint a guardian for your minor children, and plan for long-term care

Navigating the Medicaid program can be daunting. You may be seeking help with long-term care planning for a senior family member or are ready to apply to Medicaid yourself. In either case, working with an experienced elder law attorney who understands the complexities of Medicaid is crucial.

Why You Need an Expert in Medicaid Planning
Nursing home care in the United States can cost more than $10,000 a month depending on where you live. Medicaid has become the default form of long-term care coverage for millions of aging Americans. However, an estimated $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts are likely in store over the next decade.

Meanwhile, many people mistakenly believe that Medicare, a different program, will cover the costs of long-term care. However, Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care. (Custodial care includes assistance with daily living activities such as getting dressed, eating, and moving from place to place safely, such as from a bed to the bathroom. It does not encompass medical treatment that requires a licensed nurse or doctor.)

Medicaid planning is a complex area of elder law that focuses on qualifying for Medicaid benefits without depleting one’s assets unnecessarily. To be eligible for the program, you must meet strict income and asset limits. In most states, you cannot receive Medicaid benefits if you have more than $2,000 in countable assets to your name.

In part, this is why Medicaid planning is so important. Planning involves reviewing all your assets, including bank accounts, retirement accounts, real estate, vehicles, and life insurance. A professional can help you with this and with distinguishing between your “countable” and “noncountable” assets. In addition, with the help of an expert, you can pursue legal strategies that allow you to spend down your assets so that you can qualify for the program.

5 Hidden Red Flags
Here are five red flags that may indicate an attorney’s inexperience with Medicaid planning.

1. Lack of Specific Medicaid Knowledge
Elder law is a specialized field, and not all attorneys have the expertise required to handle Medicaid cases effectively.

• Vague answers on Medicare coverage. If the attorney cannot clearly explain what Medicaid covers with regard to long-term care services, this may signal a lack of familiarity with elder law nuances.
• Ignorance about recent program changes. Medicaid policies can change frequently. An adept elder law attorney should be aware of and able to discuss the latest updates and their implications.

2. Inadequate Assessment of Individual Situations
Every Medicaid consultation requires a personalized approach, given that financial and health care needs vary widely among seniors.

• Generic advice. An elder law attorney lacking experience might offer broad, generalized advice instead of recommendations tailored to your individual circumstances.
• Failure to ask detailed questions. A seasoned attorney in this area of law will dig deep into the client’s financial well-being, health needs, and family circumstances to offer precise guidance.

3. Insufficient Planning for Asset Protection
Protecting assets while qualifying for Medicaid is a key aspect of elder law.

• No strategy for asset transfers. If an attorney cannot provide a clear plan for how to legally transfer or protect assets, this can indicate a lack of expertise.
• Ignoring look-back periods. An attorney experienced with Medicaid knows the importance of the Medicaid look-back period and should clearly explain how it affects eligibility.

4. Unprofessional Consultations
The manner in which consultations are conducted can reveal much about an attorney's professionalism and experience.

• A lack of documentation. An attorney’s failure to provide written summaries or detailed documentation post-consultation can be a red flag.
• Poor communication skills. An inability to communicate complex concepts in an accessible way may reflect inexperience or insufficient expertise.

5. Misunderstanding Legal Timings and Processes
​Understanding the timelines and processes involved in Medicaid applications is crucial.

• Confusion about application timelines. If an attorney is unsure about when or how long it takes to file a Medicaid application, this can indicate inexperience.
• Inaccurate processing guidance. Misguidance about the steps involved can jeopardize the outcome of your application.

When an aging parent shows signs of memory loss, confusion, or cognitive decline, getting them to seek help can be a challenge. Delays in obtaining a diagnosis of dementia are common, with Sci Tech Daily reporting that it takes an average of three-and-a-half years between noticeable symptoms of cognitive decline and a diagnosis.

Yet obtaining timely diagnoses can be crucial. Accessing early interventions can lead to better outcomes. As Time reports, Alzheimer’s treatments implemented early are more effective.

When families know a loved one has dementia, they can prepare for decisions about long-term care and caregiving roles. The older adult may also still have time to execute a valid power of attorney nominating a trusted decision-maker.

While helping a parent with cognitive symptoms can be challenging, children of older adults with such symptoms can take steps to help their parents seek out a medical evaluation.

What Is Dementia?
Approximately one in 10 of adults 65 and older have dementia. Dementia describes a group of progressive illnesses that affect thinking and memory and involve damage to nerve cells or their connections in the brain.

The most prevalent cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association reports an estimated 7.2 million people in the United States live with Alzheimer’s. Other types of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia, which has multiple causes.

Sometimes, dementia-like symptoms are caused by an underlying medical condition. For instance, urinary tract infections can cause confusion, especially for older adults. Treating the underlying condition may help restore cognitive function.

Dementia Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of dementia, which may get worse over time, include:

• Noticeable memory loss
• Difficulty communicating or finding words
• Getting lost more easily
• Reasoning or problem-solving challenges
• Trouble planning and performing complex tasks
• Diminished coordination
• Confusion and disorientation
• Psychological changes like agitation, paranoia, anxiety, and depression

Many people mistake dementia symptoms for normal aging. However, memory problems and marked cognitive decline are not considered a normal part of aging and should be assessed by a medical professional.

Why Parents May Delay Getting Help
Convincing a parent to accept that they may need a medical evaluation can prove challenging. Parents may dismiss memory issues and cognitive challenges as a normal part of getting older. When an older adult experiencing early-stage dementia recognizes signs that something may be wrong — misplacing objects, forgetting names, repeating the same story — they may deny their symptoms because of fear of social stigma, loss of independence, or burdening family members. People with dementia that has progressed further may lack insight into their condition, not understanding that they need help.

Encouraging a Parent to Seek Help
Adult children of individuals who may be showing signs of dementia can encourage them to seek help. But there are several important considerations that can shape how the parent responds.

When a parent is in the early stages of cognitive decline and still able to recognize a problem and make decisions, one strategy is to plan a conversation with them. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends preparing for the conversation by noting what symptoms the individual seems to be experiencing and if anyone else has noticed a change.

The adult child may have the conversation or ask another trusted individual to do so. Because of family roles and expectations, some people may be more receptive to another older family member or friend than their child. Whether the adult child or someone else is stepping in, the conversation should be intimate. Staging a large intervention risks alienating and angering the parent.

The conversation should take place as soon as possible, but when the individual is comfortable, calm, and alert. During the conversation, the child or other trusted person can gently bring up the symptoms they have noticed and offer to go with them to the doctor for an evaluation. It may be necessary to have multiple conversations.

At-Home Cognitive Tests
For families navigating this complex situation, at-home cognitive tests can be a helpful starting point. While an at-home test cannot diagnose Alzheimer’s disease or another cause of dementia, a test may prompt a family to seek professional help for their loved one.

One popular test that helps family members assess whether their loved one might be experiencing dementia is the Short Form of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly. It includes 16 questions that aim to shed light on the loved one’s cognitive ability. The informant is asked to consider how their loved one’s cognitive abilities have changed compared with 10 years ago.

Another short cognitive assessment is a self-test: The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE). Developed by Ohio State University, the SAGE test includes questions that capture different cognitive skills. It includes a question about how to draw a clock, which can illustrate problems with spatial awareness and memory.
​
Potential Downsides to Self-Tests
Since at-home cognitive tests are not diagnostic, they might also provide false reassurance. This is why it is best to seek medical advice from a doctor and obtain a referral for an evaluation by a neurologist or other professional. If you or a loved one chooses to use a self-test, it can be helpful to bring it with you to the appointment.

Many Americans are worried they won’t have enough money saved to retire, and a cohort of the oldest workers is proving this concern to be legitimate.

Nearly half a million Americans over the age of 80 are still working, while the 75-plus demographic is the fastest-growing segment of the workforce.

For some, the choice to keep working is about staying active and engaged. For others, it’s necessary amid rising health care costs, a longer life than their savings anticipated, or the need to support a spouse or loved one.

But whether out of necessity or passion, working into your 70s, 80s, and even beyond comes with financial, health care, and estate planning implications. If you or a parent, spouse, or grandparent are still in the workforce at this stage of life, here’s what you need to consider.

Why More Seniors Are Working Past “Retirement Age”
Not long ago, working past age 65 was unusual. But with more Americans describing the American Dream as out of reach, the American retirement dream the idea of retiring at 65, if not sooner, and spending your later years living comfortably off your savings is also fading.

A recent Bankrate survey found that 57 percent of American workers feel behind on their retirement savings, with 35 percent feeling significantly behind. Among older generations, 68 percent of Gen X workers (born between 1965 and 1980) and 66 percent of the Baby Boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964) share this concern.

According to a Federal Reserve survey, nearly 46 percent of American households in 2022 had no retirement savings.

Overall, workers age 70 and older make up less than 6 percent of the U.S. labor force. But the number of working Americans over the age of 80 has increased from 3.6 percent to 4.2 percent in the past decade, while Americans age 75 and over are twice as likely to be in the workforce now compared with the early 1990s.

Among those aged 75 and older, about 9 percent are currently employed more than double the rate in 1987. And since early 2022, the number of workers aged 80+ has grown 24 percent, dwarfing the 4 percent growth in overall employment. About one-quarter of these workers aged 80 and above are self-employed.

Key Takeaways for Seniors Working into Their 80s
Financial Planning Implications
– Earned income can push Social Security benefits into taxable territory.
– RMDs begin at age 73, even if you are still working (with some exceptions).
– Pension benefits may be reduced or offset if you continue working.

Health Care and Long-Term Care Concerns
– Medicare doesn't cover long-term custodial care plan for supplemental coverage.
– Coordinate employer coverage with Medicare to avoid penalties or gaps.
– Prepare powers of attorney and health care proxies for sudden incapacity.

Estate Planning Considerations
– Update wills and trusts to reflect ongoin work and asset growth.
– Clarify business succession plans if you still own or manage a company.
– Balance current spending with your legacy goals.

Legal and Policy Context
– Know your rights under age discrimination laws. 
– Understand how earnings interact with Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
– Engage in proactive elder law planning to reduce risks.


Business Insider profiled a woman named Lydia who works at age 81 to help cover living expenses and health care costs. Lydia and dozens of other workers aged 80+ told Business Insider that their “decision” to keep working is not a decision at all: health issues, loneliness, and increased cost of living were the key factors keeping them at a job at an age when most people are retired. Many said they accepted minimum-wage positions or continued working despite medical diagnoses.

However, there are also those who genuinely choose to work late in life. They might enjoy the extra income or want to stay active and social. Some even credit it as a key to healthy living and longevity.

TODAY.com spoke to a 101-year-old who said she simply likes working and being around people and a woman in her 90s who worked at the same company for 75 years. One 88-year old woman still works full time to show her grandkids a “good example.”
Research supports the notion that people have different motivations for working beyond retirement age, which generally fall into these buckets:

• Financial pressure. Social Security benefits alone barely cover living expenses, and some people lack a pension or other workplace retirement plan. Savings may also have been depleted by the 2008 financial crisis, inflation, or unexpected medical bills.
• Purpose and connection. Work provides structure, social interaction, and a sense of contribution that some don’t want to lose.
• Health and longevity. Advances in medicine and lifestyle mean more people can remain active into their 80s and beyond, helping them stay mentally sharp and emotionally fulfilled.
• Health coverage. Employment can help maintain access to employer-provided health insurance, especially before Medicare eligibility or when supplemental coverage is necessary.
• Passion. For some, it’s not about money. They love what they do and see no reason to stop.
• Employer demand. Some industries value experience and institutional knowledge, and employers facing labor shortages are more willing to keep or hire older workers.

For those who do stay in the workforce, flexible job types and age-friendly work environments have helped make it possible for many older workers to prolong their careers. Instead of a traditional, abrupt retirement, they can transition more gradually, balancing their personal needs with ongoing employment.

But there are also challenges: age discrimination, jobs that are physically demanding, navigating complex rules for things like Social Security, Medicare, and pensions, and financial and estate planning considerations.

Financial Planning
Earning wages in your later years can affect how your income is taxed and how retirement benefits work.

• Tax impacts of earned income. Additional wages can push Social Security benefits into taxable territory. Up to 85 percent of your Social Security may be taxed depending on your combined income.
• Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Even if you’re still working, once you turn 73, RMDs from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and most other retirement accounts are mandatory. The only exception may be a 401(k) from a current employer.
• Pension offsets or reductions. Some pension plans reduce benefits if you earn income past a certain age or continue working past retirement age, while others allow continued accrual of credits.

Planning tips:

• Review your tax situation each year to anticipate Social Security taxation.
• Coordinate withdrawals from retirement accounts with ongoing income.
• Check with your pension administrator or human resources department to understand any reductions or offsets.

Health Care and Long-Term Care
Health care planning becomes more complex the longer you work, particularly in your 70s and 80s.

• Medicare coverage gaps. Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, so supplemental insurance may be necessary.
• Employer coverage vs. Medicare timing. Staying on an employer plan can affect when you enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Missing deadlines can lead to penalties or gaps in coverage.
• Planning for incapacity. The risk of sudden illness or disability increases with age. If you become unable to work, having plans in place is critical.

Planning tips:

• Confirm Medicare enrollment and coordinate with employer benefits.
• Consider supplemental coverage or long-term care insurance if needed.
• Keep powers of attorney and health care proxies current to ensure someone can act on your behalf if you’re incapacitated.

Estate Planning
A longer working life can mean a more complex financial picture. Assets may grow, family circumstances may shift, and planning documents may need to be updated accordingly.

• Updating wills and trusts. As wealth or family circumstances change, your estate plan should reflect current realities.
• Business succession. If you run a business past retirement age, clarify succession plans and how ownership will transfer.
• Powers of attorney and health care proxies. These documents can prove vital if sudden incapacity strikes mid-career.
• Legacy vs. liquidity tension. Spending down assets for your own needs versus leaving an inheritance can require a careful balancing act.

Planning tips:

• Review all estate planning documents every few years or after major life changes.
• Coordinate business succession with estate planning to avoid disruption.
• Discuss your plans with family or trusted advisors to prevent surprises.

Legal and Public Policy
Personal choices are not the only factors at play. Laws and policies also affect how feasible it is to work into your 80s, and staying on top of changes to them is a crucial planning aspect.

• Age discrimination remains a challenge, even though laws prohibit it. Many seniors report being overlooked for jobs despite being willing and able to work.
• Government program rules about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are complicated and can interact with work in complex ways. Working seniors may fall into gray areas when trying to coordinate benefits.
• Social Security reform is also a looming issue. With trust funds projected to run short within the next decade, future benefits may be affected, especially for those relying on delayed retirement strategies.

Planning tips:

• Be aware of age discrimination laws and document any issues if they arise.
• Understand how continued earnings affect benefits.
• Don’t go it alone. Elder law attorneys, financial planners, and benefits specialists can help you understand how the rules apply to your situation.

Planning for an Extended Career
Retirement today is less about a fixed age and more about personal circumstances. The shifting reality of work creates new planning challenges that traditional retirement advice often overlooks.

Working into your 80s changes how you should plan your finances, health care, and estate. Careful planning is necessary at every age. But extra or different planning may also be necessary when working as a senior.