Here are the average payments Medicare makes to every medical specialty

By Art Golab  | June 12, 2015 Modern Healthcare

Looking at Medicare physician payment data, it would appear that oncologists were
among the highest paid specialists in 2013. But a closer look reveals that much of
the money going to oncologists is used to cover the cost of administered drugs.

This chart shows the average total payment for every medical specialty along with
 the average payment for drugs, which is a subset of the total payment.

The drug payment figures were broken out for the first time in the physician
 payment data for 2013 released last week.

Individual payment totals to physicians can be tracked by specialty
and location using Modern Healthcare's Medicare payment data tool.

Select specialties from the drop down menu to compare payments.



Select specialties from the dropdown menu to compare payments.
(If you wish to be able to use this menu to check and compare costs of most medical disciplines click here and screen down to this chart.)

9 Ways to Retire with More Money

Increase your Social Security benefits
The new book, “Get What's Yours, The Secrets to Maximizing Out Your Social Security”  helps you decide when and how to collect retiree, spousal, survivor, divorcee, parent, and child benefits to achieve the highest lifetime benefits.  According to its authors following the suggestions in this book could earn you as much as an additional $50,000 in benefits.

Two of most important suggestions this book provides which are not generally known are:

1.  A good strategy for married couples is for one spouse to file for the retirement benefit at 62 and then immediately suspend it. The other spouse files for a spousal benefit and can collect half of the other’s retirement benefit through age 70. Spousal benefits also apply to any couple married for at least 10 years, including divorcees.

2.  Depending on circumstances, it might be better to file at 62, suspend at 66, and then refile at 70 if dependents need money more quickly.  The goal is to maximize your longer-term payout so you don’t run out of money.

Check this site for additional information on Social Security  which includes

 - When should you receive Social Security?  
 -  How to apply for Social Security?
 -  Contact information for the Social Security Administration
 -  Information on working and benefits
 -  Information on what you should do if a Spouse Dies

Continue working longer prior to retirement
The obvious advantages are more money can be saved for your retirement years and you will not have to dip into retirement savings until you finish working. Working longer also makes it easier to postpone taking Social Security making your monthly benefits larger. Check out this article for more information:

The best reason to delay retirement http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-best-reason-to-delay-retirement-2014-01-29

Continue working after you “retire”
Most jobs available to retirees are part-time, temporary, project based or seasonal and money earned from these jobs, when added to other income, helps your savings last longer and perhaps allow a bit more for a better lifestyle during retirement.

See this site for information on part-time, temporary, project based and seasonal jobs

We have provided several articles (below) for more information

Why so many retirees work in retirement

How to find work after 50

14 Tips and resources for winding work in retirement

Save/invest more prior to retiring and payoff most debt
All financial advisers suggest this course of action and since people are living a great deal longer it is necessary to do this if you hope to have enough money late in life. The Department of Labor site http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/10_ways_to_prepare.html includes 10 ways to prepare for retirement:

                   1.     Start saving, keep saving, and stick to your goals

                   2.     Know your retirement needs

                   3.     Contribute to your employer’s retirement savings plan

                   4.     Learn about your employer's pension plan

                   5.     Consider basic investment principles

                   6.     Don't touch your retirement savings

                   7.     Ask your employer to start a plan

                   8.     Put money into an Individual Retirement Account

                   9.     Find out about your Social Security benefits

                   10.  Ask Questions

Check out the Bankrate retirement shortfall calculator to help you determine your projected shortfall or surplus at retirement You can enter your retirement savings, monthly contributions, years before retirement, projected years you will be retired, projected annual retirement spending, and expected inflation rate and find out how long your savings should last.  Shortfall calculator http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/retirement/calculate-retirement-income-money.aspx#ixzz3VzOYqCIi

The Employee Benefits Research Institute provides information on How Much Needs to be Saved for Retirement After Factoring In Post-Retirement Risks: (http://www.ebri.org/pdf/notespdf/EBRI_Notes_03_Mar15_Svngs-HlthCntribs.pdf)

Start a small business after you retire to create revenue

The revenue from starting a small business or becoming a consultant will provide additional income as well tax deductions you may not otherwise be able to take. See  Become a Consultant and Information on starting your own business

Spend less after you retire

On healthcare. Make sure you have the right insurance plan for you and your family.

On your daily expenditures. Audit your phone bills, utility bills, insurance bills, etc. and you are likely to find substantial savings often do to underutilization of the plan(s) you are paying for.

On your place of residence/location/lifestyle, etc. Consider staying in the same location where you have been living as opposed to moving to a more expensive area like Florida, Arizona or California. 

Reduce your taxes

Meet with your accounts to review how to reduce your taxes. They can assist you make tax efficient investments and manage tax advantaged accounts.

If you plan to gift assets there are ways to do so that will accomplish your wishes as well as reduce your taxes. If you wish to provide money to your children or grandchildren there are ways to do so which could lessen your taxes

Take advantage of discounts available to your age group

There are many discounts available to boomers and seniors. Click any of the links below to see lists in each category

Travel

Retail/Apparel

Restaurants

Grocery

Gas, Phones, Services, etc.

which can save you thousands of dollars a year.

Scams reduce the assets of retirees and people planning their retirement

Identity theft, fraud and scams against boomers, retirees and older Americans are much more common than against younger Americans.  These articles provide good information on scams, frauds, identity thefts and how to recognize and avoid them.

How to identify and protect yourself from scams
Avoiding scams—and getting help if you’re scammed

Improve Your Memory

With These 9 Common-Sense Techniques from John's Hopkins.

The minor memory lapses that occur with age-associated memory impairment can’t be eliminated completely; however, a number of common-sense strategies can improve overall memory at any age. The keys are to stay focused, active and alert.

Memory Tip 1:
Place commonly lost items in a designated spot. If you’re prone to losing certain items, such as keys or eyeglasses, pick a spot and always put the items there when you are not using them.

Memory Tip 2:
Write things down. If you have trouble remembering phone numbers or appointments, write them down and place the list in a conspicuous spot. Making a daily “to do” list will remind you of important tasks and obligations.

Memory Tip 3:
Say words out loud. Saying “I’ve turned off the stove” after doing so will give you an extra verbal reminder when you later try to recall whether the stove is still on. Incorporating people’s names into the conversation immediately after you have met them helps, too.

Memory Tip 4:
Use memory aids. Use a pocket notepad, cell phone, wristwatch alarm, voice recorder or other aids to help remember what you need to do or to keep track of information.

Memory Tip 5:
Use visual images. When learning new information, such as a person’s name, create a visual image in your mind to make the information more vivid and, therefore, more memorable.

Memory Tip 6:
Group items using mnemonics. A mnemonic is any technique used to help you remember. For example, when memorizing lists, names, addresses and so on, try grouping them as an acronym. Another mnemonic technique is an acrostic. Acrostics use the first letter of each item to create new words that form a sentence or phrase. Using rhymes or creating stories that connect each element to be remembered is also helpful.

Memory Tip 7:
Concentrate and relax. Many environmental stimuli compete for your attention at any given time. To remember something, concentrate on the items to be remembered. Pay close attention to new information and try to avoid or block out distractions. Anxiety and stress can inhibit recall. Learning a relaxation technique, such as deep breathing or muscle-relaxing exercises, may help.

Memory Tip 8:
Get plenty of sleep. During sleep the brain consolidates and firms up newly acquired information. Studies indicate that people are better at remembering recently learned information the next day if they have had a good night’s sleep.

Memory Tip 9:
Rule out other causes of memory loss. If you suspect that you are having memory difficulties, consult your doctor. Some medical conditions can cause memory problems that can be corrected, including depression, hearing or vision loss, thyroid dysfunction, use of certain medications, vitamin deficiencies and stress.