Looking out for you, seniors

As a senior citizen, I am here to inform the CEO's that they are not kings, they are employees. They need to knock off their entitled behavior and start earning their over paid salaries. They should all be paid on comission and we would not be in this economic mess.

1. I had a new furnace and A/C installed last year. I do not itemize our taxes anymore...so can I get any kind of tax break or credit as stated above? The new furnace is way more efficent than the old one.

2. I just turned 64. My 401(K) lost 30% last year. Down from around $300k to $200. I had hoped to be able to retire at 65 and draw the interest earned for several years if I worked a little also. Now it looks like I may have to work for several more years if I don't loose my job. Do you have any better advise?

jen, it amazes me that when it comes to all the monies being floated around for the bailouts of the banks, AIG, the car industry , the rebuilding of GAZA, etc. etc. etc. That the common person i.e. the poor,the disabled, and senior citizens have to wait until JULY to get our small 250.00 check. The government is more than willing to give blank checks to a bunch rich people, but those who are standing in line at the food banks(where there is limited or no food being given out), get my point. History repeats itself, remember the French Revolution!!!!!!!!

I understand the concern about our economy but I have a problem that concern me. i am a army disabled veteran. i was rated 60% disabled, but i am currently under going treatment for a spinal injury and a compensation claim for it. my question is why can't i receive medical benefits for my dependents that i have. when i was in the army i received tricare for my family. i was hurt while on active duty and was medically discharged only to find that i no longer had medical insurance for my family. i think if a injury is major enough to receive an medical discharge that the tricare should be extended to all troops that was medically and honorable discharged. i was told i can only receive medically benefits for my dependents only when i receive 100% disability. the problem is i'm at 60% with an injury that's preventing me from working and i can't afford health nor life insurance with the income i'm receiving. i hear a lot about what the obama administration is doing with the economy, but what about the fallen troops?

jennifer,why can't all the adjustable houseing rate be done away with,and these home owners be given a fixed rate that tthey could live with. this way they keep their home and the banks keep getting the house payments.

Just wondering if all those Obama has been trying to appoint to offices were to pay their back taxes, how much would that be, and wouldn't that give the economy a boost? Curious from someone who files and pays their taxes in Mississippi

Are AIG fixed annuities a safe investment?

I am an 87 year old WWII veteran (100th Infantry Division). In January 2006, my wife and I signed up for the basic Medicare Prescription Drug Insurance from Humana (one of the providers of the insurance) at a cost of $5.41 per month per person.

By January 2009, the monthly cost has risen to $41.90 per person. That is a 756 percent increase in 3 years!!! That is not "free market capitalism" ... it is "outright highway robbery" !!!

PLEASE publish a story on this and shine a light on how we seniors are being abused by such despicable bait-and-switch tactics.

We all know that the Medicare Modernization Act was completely written by the pharmaceutical lobbyists in Washington and that it prohibits Medicare from negotiating drug costs, which would greatly reduce the cost of the program to the taxpayers.

While all the other states are receiving money from the stimulus package President Obama approved, my governor (Bobby Jindal) has decided not to take all the money allocated to our state. I just found out today from the governor's office that the part of the stimulus package declined by Gov. Jindal is money to extend unemployment benefits. I was floored to find out that while the rest of the country is able to take advantage of this additional money, my governor thinks that his constituents do not need it. I was told by his office that he declined the money "because it would cost the taxpayers more money at the end of three years, and would reduce jobs." Does he not understand that if I and others have to leave the state to find another job, he will no longer receive revenue from our paychecks? We need your help here in Louisiana. Please bring this information to light. Maybe that might spur Gov. Jindal on to realize that he has made a huge mistake, and that the citizens of Louisiana will suffer greatly. With unemployment showing some of the highest numbers in recorded history, we can't afford bad judgment like this from our representatives.

Does this $250.00 stimulus check for those drawing Social Security also apply to those of us drawing Social Security Disability?

I STRONGLY AGREE WITH KAREN...

My question is I am 61 been retired a few years got a pention and I am reciving va disablity at 100% but dont get socical securtity yet , so does that mean I dont get any thing.

I am so annoyed right now. Gee, my husband was career military and before he died...of service connected injuries, we purchased an afforable home. Now only people who HAVE Freddie or Fannie get help. Once again, forget the VETERANS

Sorry...we financed through the VA. Forgotten warriors!

Sure stocks are cheap but we all had our portfolios wiped out by this massive downturn in the markets so we have on money to get back IN the market! Besides, who would buy stock at a time when our own President has said repeatedly, in public, that he does not CARE what is happening in the stock market? What kind of confidence does THAT engender in investing? No thanks! I'll lick my massive loss wounds and leave it at that. We're ruined! Annuity, 401K, kid's college fund...all gone and we were only 2 years away from needing it (AND we have no health insurance). No it appears we will now join the rank and file of Americans living on the dole now and counting on others to care for us going forward.

If Obama would give $30,000 per person, he would see the economy booming once again. People could get their mortgages up to date, and buy things to help them get on their feet. And still have several thousand dollars to set aside for a savings. Instead the rich continue to screw up, laugh at the government for bailing them out, and as usual it's all at the "working" people's expense. Can't they see that that minimal $30K per person would benefit "everyone", not just the rich!!

Even the people that use that money foolishly will help the economy! Just think of the alcoholics and how the beer distributors would benefit! By the way, I don't drink!!!

I feel that the stimulus check is a great idea. I just hope that everyone who really needs the check will get it. Especially retired people over the age of 65 or the disabled. That goes for our elders as well. My mom is disabled, and has been for years. This check would really help her out in paying her bills. So hopefully everthing will work out.

What is the contact for more information regarding tax breaks for energy saving improvements on senior citizen owned homes?

I am on SSI and Disability. I understand that I will get a check of $250.00 for myself. But what about my child? Is there money I can get due to having a child? I don't file taxes. If so, how much and how do I go about getting/filing for it? Also, my child gets a Social Security check through her dad. Will she get a $250.00 check?

doesn't 'profit' mean what you have left after satisfying all your expenses....then why would a company that whines about losing 32% of their profits want to lay-off their employees? what about the other 68% of their profit? is it just greed? this is what disney is claiming.

$250.00, sure could use it but, it isn't enough to pay my prescription drug co-pay for a month. What about giving some to the well deserving military retires and disabled vets? The best thing Obama or congress can do for Seniors is to do away with the monthly premium for medicare. We have already paid for medicare why are we still paying for it. Me and my employers paid over $20,000.00 into the medicare system over the last 43 years, where is this money and what was it for??????????????

The ones who will get the MOST money from this 'stimulus' will be those who DO NOT pay taxes!!! How is that even remotely fair??? Oh, sorry...the Dems don;t believe in 'fairness'...duh!

why dont we abolish the income tax and have every business collect a flat sales tax of say 10 to 15 percent? I am no going to mind paying $1.15 for that .99cent hamburger when I get an additional $300.00 a week in my paycheck. You would even collect from foriegn tourists, protetutes, drug dealers ect.. who dont pay taxes now. This would stimulate the economy faster I think because people would now have money to spend. Everyone who has money spends it but not everyone who makes money pays taxes. Luxuries should be taxed higher like mink coats, limos, mansions and food and other necessities should be not taxed at all.

$250.00 is a joke. Many seniors cannot afford to heat their homes or buy prescriptions or food. He sure did not help the seniors out at all..

Moke

The 250.00 dollar one time payment is a Slap n the Face of seniors It does not cover one months prescriptions bill. Let Obama and the rest of the goverment take a 25% salary decrease No raises for goverment employee's and elected officals till the goverment comes our of the red

Iam 65 years old.I worked for a company for over 40 years.I consider the $250. a slap in the face.Why does the govenment treat seniors like discarding trash?

Figure this one out!!!!!---------------–How will stimulus plan work for those who will get laidoff (after) they begin receiving a tax reduction in their payroll check?????????

two years ago I had tom quit work because of sickness. and decided to pay of my home.Had some savings left.but found out rreal quick that I had to have a perscription plan.I was paying on a life ins,plan,that was ok,as long as it was a term life plan,other wise it gave me resorces.so I was ok.but my resorces could not be over 4 thousand dollars,if so I could not ge medicade help in a way that I could get it if I had no resorces.now i am trying to work part time to make all Dr,and medical bills.now I have ins,on home. ins,on car and properity taxes.have my car fis, roof off my home. and can not do this with what money I have.so looks like Ill loose my home because of taxes.I have worked 53 years.where Is my help?where has my money went? ad where does that leave us seniors.we are being tarked for disposal.no productive but wanting what we have worked and payed into.where do we go from here?

robin with all of this money being passed around why can't they increace the buriel insurance for seniors on ssi thank you

AARP Organization is following this closely. Supposedly those on social security, veterans on disability will be getting a stimulus check.....

Our president has his hands full – it is going to be an up hill struggle to climb out of this hole that the past years have put us in..... It is wrong that the elderly and disabled have to pay a price..... We have seen firsthand that banks, insurance agencies, are not trying to help out individuals in crisis...... Healthcare is a shambles – there are more doctors worried about the almighty dollar instead of a patient's needs..... Gas and Grocery prices continue to rise – When are we going to get some relief?????

i would like to ask a Q about the stimulus checks is there only one check per household or does each person receive one//?

Jennifer,

The stimulus help is missing for the majority of our seniors...the ones you hear from are only the ones with computers that are able to voice their concerns....go to any senior citizens center where there are a group of seniors from that community & you will definately hear their calls for help..calls that are landing on deaf ears!

I am a senior citizen (72) and still milk cows to make money. A tax break for me is nothing, as we don't make enough money to pay taxes, and have no kind of health ins. except for medicare and it doesn't pay for medicines or doctor bills untill you reach your deductible, I have no dental ins., no optical ins. so can't afford to go to the dentist or eye doctor.

Jennifer, I do not have nor would I even consider a Reverse Mortgage, but I know a lot of senior citizens have. My question to you is how does the current real estate/mortgate debacle affect those who have?

My question for you is simple. With the economy as bad as it is, and people losing jobs, cars and homes, how will helping the banks lend again help most people who have watched there credit scores fall too low to get loans anymore?

i am 53 was out of work from dec 07 till oct 08. am only working part time now do have benefits. what do u suggest i do with the minimal amt of money per month i can save which is around 250.00 per month. thx love the show

i am over 65 and i am still working. will i receive $250.00 from social security even though i get taxes taken out of my payroll check.

Im on SSI Disability...when my yearly increase appears on my SSI check...it REDUCES my FOOD STAMPS and INCREASES my RENT!

I have MSHDA Section 8 Housing Assistance...

everytime I recieve a penny here...a dollar is removed there...

whats goin' on here?

Hi Jen,

Can you recommend a good debt consolidation company especially for credit card debt? I have no idea what to look for and what will actually help me. Thank you so much!

Again, the seniors and disabled have to rough it. Why couldn't we have gotten more money? We need it the most. This is not fair. In fact, it's down right sad.

$250.00 for seniors. Gee, Thank Big O. Thats not even a trip to the Supermarket. Is that going to be 250 for each person, or 250 per couple. I bet I already know!

Yep, $250 may cover the emergency city tax increase that starts today, but thats about all. SIN Tax will it up the rest of it.

Jen! –

Think about it, this would work, not for Trillions, not even Billions, but only a few Million dollars. Unfortunately it'll never happen.

Betty

I think this guy nailed it.

Dear Mr.President,

Patriotic retirement:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force-pay them $1
million apiece severance with these stipulations:

1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings – Unemployment fixed.

2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered – Auto Industry fixed.

3) They either buy a house/pay off their mortgage – Housing Crisis fixed.

Even with the stimulus plan in effect, do you think the baby boomer age is going to affect the outcome because we are all reaching the/our age of fixed income?

I made have miss this, but I draw Social Security Disability & married, my husband works.
How would the stimulus plan affect us money wise? I have direct deposit.

Jen,

Could you please look into the rumor that an executive from AIG has been appointed to President Obama's tax committee?

Thank you,
Patti (KY)

Math has never been my strong suit. Could you explain to me how over the last ten weeks or so new claims for unemployment have been around, hmmm...let's say 600,000. By my calculations, that would mean there have been at least six million new claims in the past two and a half months. Yet, the government and media would have us believe that the continuing number of claims is "only" 5.7 million. How does that work?

MY 2 BROTHER ARE ON VA DISABILITY AND I SEEN WHERE OTHERS HAVE ASK ABOUT IT BUT HAVEN'T SEEN AN ANSWER.
WILL DISABILITY GET THE 250 OR NOT.........AND WLL CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES GET 250????????

THE GENTLEMAN ABOVE WHO SAID I MILLION DOLLARS FOR 4O MILLION PEOPLE OVER AGE 50.......NEED TO LEARN MATH AGAIN BECAUSE $1 MILLION FOR 4O MILLION PEOPLE = MORE THAN A FEW MILLION

My wife and I are in our mid 50's we have been turned down on refinance on our mortgage we have not missed a payment but would like to refinance at 5% we currently pay 6.65% my wife is getting long term disability at this time and i am on unemployment due to the weather Wachovia has denided us due to income even though they hold our current mortgage. We have a great credit score and money in the bank to cover all our bills for 2 years. If the lenders would help those who are doing everything right homeowners like us would have more money to stimulate the economy. These lenders have tsken bailout money and need to be made through legislation by the government to help homeowners like myself. We would help stimulate the economy with the extra money from lower mortgage payments.

Is there any reason why this would NOT work? I'd really like to know.

There's about 40 million people over 50 in the work force; pay them $1 million apiece severance with three stipulations:

1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings – Unemployment fixed.

2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered – Auto Industry fixed.

3) They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage- Housing Crisis fixed.
All National financial problems fixed with just a $40 Million incentive plan...

Please send this inquiry to Pres. O'Bama.

I think this 250.00 is just a joke.It should be alot more,the rich get more.my kids work and the little extra each paycheck is a joke.It's not enough to fill there gas tanks up in the car.The president needs to get real I don't think any of this is gonna help at all.

Hey! robin do a story on the medicare health plans i have just been premium raised right out of humana and they are in the lead and all the rest of them follow! Start with humana and dig i bet you find a juicy good story there!!!!!!!!!!

I hope us seniors don't hold our breath for that 250.00 check if we do the funeral homes are gonna be real busy lol . It might as well be 2.50 same thing as 250.00 who does it help!!!!!!

If Obama gave 40,000,000 seniors $1,000,000 apiece, it would be $40,000,000,000,000 (40 trillion dollars, not 40 million dollars)!!
If there are two retirees or disabled adults in the household, both will get a $250.00 check, however, children will not get it for any reason. Veterans (retired or disabled) will get it.
Now I have a question. I read somewhere that his stimulus included a provision that seniors with an income of less than $50,000 per year would no longer pay any income tax. Was this included in the final bill that was signed into law? If so, when does it take effect? (They are still withholding taxes out of my income. I am a senior on disability and I work part-time for minimum wage. When will this stop?)

so whats the cryteria to receive some of this stimulas money. i heard it was to be given to all senior citizens, is that right?
thanks joann

Call me stupid, if you want to....What I cannot understand is all of the company {especially car business) is complaining that no one is buying cars so they get millions in the baillout....Duhh would it make more since to give the money to us, so we could afford to buy a car or from other business. If we don't have the money to buy a car now, we won't be able to buy a car later ethier

It's good to see people on SS getting something....$250...is this just keep quiet money???? I'm 61 and on disability and I'm getting really nevous about what's going on. I feel I'm in a crack, not that I fell through a crack, I'm just in a crack...... I half expect that one month instead of a check, I'll get a note saying I've been terminated. (triple pun). Anyway, I can't see any future whatsoever!!!!!!!!!f
PS When are auto makers going to forced to use the technology they ALREADY have to build a hydrogen car? Better yet, let them fail so other people, who are developing hydrogen cars as we speak, can get a foothold in the auto maker arena. Better even, these people are making it possible to keep your old vehicle and get over 50 mpg. What do you think of that. I've seen it. This future is now..........
Michael
North Ogden, UT
801-737-4289

HI. Iam not a senoir, but do receive SSI due to the fact that I am disabled. I did receive a letter from Social Security stating that I would be receiving the $250.00 Stimulus check.
My question is: Will this count as my only stimulus check, or, will I receive one as well as my husband and child?
If so, what is the amount for each of us?
Thank you!!

My name is otis I am 50 years old. I am disabled and have no way to get around in my wheelchair that medicare gave me. I,ve had 4 strokes, 4 heart atacks, Several sugerys, I have poor suculation in my legs.And no way to go see anyone. mainley my grandchildren, And just to get out to see the world.Is there anyone out there that can help.Me and my wilf live to geather .My kids have all grown up but I do have 11 grandchildren. I wouild love to be able to go places with them.PS THANK YOU FOR READING THIS LETTER.I,am not sure ihave this in the right place.

We listen to Jennifer and trust her advise, but this time we don't agree with her at all about this "great" $250 for seniors. There isn't anything else in the package for seniors. No bank in their right mind is going to give a 10, 20 or 30 year mortgage to a senior to refinance their house. And to suggest that seniors take some of their money and spend it on a new furnace or windows to get a tax break, we don't think that is good advise either. Most seniors want to keep all the cash they can knowing that at any moment it could be gone. With the markets up and down and watching their 401k plans drop like rocks, they want to safe rather than sorry. To suggest that they are going to see a rise in these plans if the economy gets "stimulated" isn't right, either. In most cases, they aren't going to be around long enough to see the losses rebound. $250 doesn't even pay the co-pay for most prescription plans for a month. It doesn't pay for the increase in Medicare every year. It doesn't help pay for much of anything realistically. And the sad thing is-people that don't work or pay taxes are getting $400! Speaking of taxes-if Obama really wants to help seniors, give them a REAL tax break-after 66 years old, they don't pay ANY taxes anymore. My mom is 83 and she had to pay taxes. Is this fair? NO. And if the lump sum stimulus check Bush handed out last year didn't work, how is handing it out alittle at a time in paychecks going to help? Gas is going up so that's where that measly money is going. And watch out next year when the IRS comes calling...As far as we can see, the only thing that got stimulated by this stimulus package was the ego of....well, we'll get off our soapbox now.

The $250.00 stimulis is good idea, but we are giving money to the
people who put us in this situation. Why not give the people who need
it the #80b, to pay bills save their homes, buy medicine and live normal lives. We are the ones who helped us become a great country,
let some of these companies go bankrupt,like we would have to you made hard us to file, give us some of the money we are spendig on the war on drugs(which we happen to be losing) . The drug dealers are etting super rich, drug dealers are infiltrating every U.S. city . Let's
help the people that live and die here.

It amazes me how our Gov't treats our senior citizens. My Korean Vet Father recently passed away and I've been attempting to get my mother, who is in a nursing home with level 4 Alzheimers, benefits. What a family member has to go thru just isn't right. Our Federal agencies (Social Security, Veterians Administration, Medicaid, Medicare) make it so difficult there's no wonder we have senior citizens in poverty, they just stop trying. First and foremost, why do these agencies NOT accept legal, court ordered documentation (i.e. Power of Attorney's, Guardianship and Conservatorship), instead there's mountains of agency forms that must be completed that take months to gather the information (Drs, Nursing homes, etc) and then many more months for the agencies to "do their thing". And don't dare call the agency on the phone for help, case in point I made 4 phone calls to the same agency with the same question and got 4 different answers. It's just appalling.

Please President Obama,leave our social security alone.I heard from a good scource that he was going to cut our benefits 13%

i read in the morning paper that if you get a 250 stimulus check you will not get the tax credit if 400 or 800 for a couple at the end of the year.

i would also like to know how often they check these pork plants for illegal imigrants?

I AM A RETIRED WORKER, RETIRED FROM THE POSTAL SERVICE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I A GETTING THE $250.00 STILMULUS CHECK FOR SENIORS. SO FAR I HAVE ONLY SEEN PEOPLE WHO RETIRE ON SOCIAL SECURITY RECEIVE THE CHECKS.

I recieved my stimulis check through my direct deposit last week,
it helped a little bit. But why could'nt we senior citizens recieve, a
larger sum like, the banks, G.M., or some of the other companies
that put us in this big mess? President Obama and his people are,
doing a great job that Bush and Cheney made. Now if only he could
have the Cubs win world series!! GO CUB!!!!

i am a retiree and received the $250 stimulus check in May. I think it was a great idea. i appreciate it. But, i don't understand why retirees receive less than people who are still working. People on social security often have to pay for their own health insurance, meds and other necessities that working people do not. Retirees are on a fixed income. When i was working I got a $600 stimulus check. Now that i am retired and getting less than i was when i was employed, the stimulus check went down. i think all single people should get the same amount and all couples should get the same amount , whether they are retired or not. Income or work status should not be a factor. Fair is fair.

I heard that the stimulus plan would possibly include an item for Senior Citizens which would allow Seniors to withdraw from their 401(k) plan tax free during 2009. Did this ever come to fruition

How about us retered and don/t get ss and
pay tax.

Hi Robin, My husband and I live in Tn. on 3 acres. We grow a vegetable garden every year. I can and freeze our food. I find it is fun and really helps out all year long. I get $950. a month to live on and acually we do alright. My husband sells at the flea market on week ends and that helps also. My only peeve is a 200.00 a month electric bill and a 70.00 a month cable tv bill. It would really help to get the cable co. to have a senior's rate. I think a lot of people have gotten very spoiled over the years with their big pay checks and $500,000. homes. It's time to get back to reality. My 2 bd. 1 bath home is plenty, we eat great, and I even drive a nice car (not brand new, but nice). I participate in my church and have plenty of friends to sit on the porch with and have ice tea. During the war there were cummunity gardens, called victory gardens. Maybe people should come together and help their neighbors and ther community instead of crying about what the goverment is not handing out to you.

Bad lawyer or bad Deal? For months GMAC has not let me pay my mortgage I hired an attorney to get my mod done now GMAC tells me I don't qualify for Obama's plan but they are starting me over. That's good right? I feel like they are holding me hostage because if I don't agree to their new conditions Because I still don't have paper work and I have been getting letters and post on my door telling me my home is going to be sold August 13th. They are going to get whatever they want because I have no choice. I have been feeling like I have been terrorized. I am disabled and have limited income because of it but I am a gay couple maybe that is another reason gays should be allowed the \same rights as "regular people" Desperate in California

How does an elderly person who does not file taxes anymore get a tax break on new windows for her home?

Regretfully our last source was to file for Bankruptcy Chapter 7. I am a Cardiac. Diabetic & COPD patient amonbg others. My husband is severely depressed, a pre diabetic and to be biopsied for nodules on his thyroid. We live on Social Security Dissability benefits only ($2,825). We pay a mortgage of $900.00 monthly. Plus about $400.00 in utilities. We buy about $600 in groceries. Our car is 15 years old and needs repairs. Our home needs repairs so that we can be safe especially on the bathrooms and other small maintenance areas.

We pay gas, gasoline, clothes, shoes, etc.

I always need fruits, healthy snacks, juices, meat, vegetables, etc. due to the insulin use and proper diet. So does my husband.

We need to refinance to lower our mortgage monthly payment so that we can have money to buy healthy food for our diets. My kidneys are not working too well and diet is very important. I use insulin daily.

My husband is a veteran, but does not receive dissability benefits. He is 64 and I am 55.

Please, please, who can help us????

Thank you so much and tons of blessings!

Yolanda

AND with the stimulus plan not taking out as much tax....I do not make much money and so no tax is coming out. But it all adds up and at the end I am afraid I will have a huge tax bill.

My wife got a 250.00 stimus check this past year since she is on S.S. .
I am a fed. retiree, I havn't seen anything yet. Should I get a check or something else?

How do the folks who retired from a company but are not receiving Social Security yet to get their stimulus checks?

i dont think i am owed anything by the government . just because i am a senior doesnt mean i am entiltled to anything.
. it is a shame everybody has this whats in it for me attitude .i took care of myself all my life and i will continue to do so .so times are hard . my mother always told me . "who told you life was going to be easy ?"i always make it .