Widowhood, How Do You Possibly Plan?

[fureverywhere]

It's late, but I look at the recent demise of Ali...Parkinson's for many years. But our no insurance now and minimal when we get Medicaid back. I cannot get optimal care for hubby. I can tell you by the dogs. We adopted Callie in 2012 when I started at Home Depot. By then hubby only walked him once.

Before that he had walked Sophie. Such a nut she pulled me off my feet but he could handle her. Callie is way laid back compared to her. Even in the supermarket, he has grown so fragile. Can you prepare yourself for outliving your spouse I dunno. We have zero retirement or investments...yup I'm a bit freaked out tonight.

 

[Butterfly]

Will your new work give you any health insurance benefits, or would you continue to qualify for Medicaid after he passed until you qualify for Medicare? Does your husband have any life insurance from work?

Would you be able to stay in your home if he passed? Do you pay rent or property taxes?

Do you have any idea what your Social Security amount might be when you retire? If you call them, they can give you a ball park estimate, based upon your present wages and assuming that you'll keep earning a similar amount until you are old enough to retire, or based on your husband's Social Security.

Will your daughter be able to live on her own when she grows up? Could you get Social Security disability benefits for her and Medicaid for her after she reaches 18?

I know this is a very scary subject. My sister gets very little Social Security, but she squeaks by with a little help from me.

 

[senile1]

It's late, but I look at the recent demise of Ali...Parkinson's for many years. But our no insurance now and minimal when we get Medicaid back. I cannot get optimal care for hubby. I can tell you by the dogs. We adopted Callie in 2012 when I started at Home Depot. By then hubby only walked him once.

Before that he had walked Sophie. Such a nut she pulled me off my feet but he could handle her. Callie is way laid back compared to her. Even in the supermarket, he has grown so fragile. Can you prepare yourself for outliving your spouse I dunno. We have zero retirement or investments...yup I'm a bit freaked out tonight.

Financial aspects of retirement have to be planned for at least, 30-40 years in advance, depending on plans and/ or success of investments due to the prosperity or lack of, in the economy. Emotional and acceptance of a loss spouse unfortunately, can only be dealt with one day at a time. There are apartments available for retired citizens which are based on income and also the availability of government contributions, such as social services.

 

[ClubMike]

It sounds like you are in a tough situation. at least know that I will listen. There is never a good way to plan for the inevitable. Try to establish a network of friends, that always helps during tough times. Remember the good times, and do not worry about the future. The future will come and you will persevere.

 

[Debby]

Oh my gosh fureveverywhere, I sympathize totally with you! I was feeling really depressed one evening and in my internet wanderings, came across a blog that was devoted to depression and one of the posts had to do with something along the lines that you’re describing. Almost every comment was frightening and sad and scary because they were all senior women who faced an uncertain future.


Do you own your own home and could you sell it to live off the proceeds or do any US banks offer those ‘mortgage buy-back’ arrangements to help seniors stay in their home until the end?

In our case, I'm such a worrier that when Don had his business, I made a point of paying lump sums on the mortgage every month and then of course he got lucky and was able to sell our company and then add in our RSP's and we had a nice nest egg.....until 2008 of course. But we have enough to get by and he's finally learning that you don't need the 'biggest and best' to be happy so I'll be okay if he moves on first, but I can sure understand your emotions as you contemplate the future. You have lots of sympathy (and judging by that blog, lots of company)!

 

[fureverywhere]

Will your new work give you any health insurance benefits, or would you continue to qualify for Medicaid after he passed until you qualify for Medicare? Does your husband have any life insurance from work?
Oh yayyy he is too young and I am too young for Medicaid by a few years. Ditto his income is $60 #$%&*& over poverty level. Meaning of course we can pay a bunch of prescriptions that cost more than $250 a month plus bare living expense and taxes?
houWould you be able to stay in your home if he passed? Do you pay rent or property taxes? We pay the tax but his brother had the will rewritten. Hubby passes and have the house condemned by the township and where do we go now?

Do you have any idea what your Social Security amount might be when you retire? If you call them, they can give you a ball park estimate, based upon your present wages and assuming that you'll keep earning a similar amount until you are old enough to retire, or based on your husband's Social Security.
BWAHHHHHAAA Under and over the table...no clue.

Will your daughter be able to live on her own when she grows up? Could you get Social Security disability benefits for her and Medicaid for her after she reaches 18?
We get SSI for her but at fifteen years old maybe not even cognitively eight? Think about that $%&%, taller than you but still a child? Try to digest that?

I know this is a very scary subject. My sister gets very little Social Security, but she squeaks by with a little help from me.

 

[Phoenix]

I suggest you look for senior services in your area. You might start with a senior center and see if they can direct you to someone who might be able to help. Do an online search for housing possibilities, information and referral, that kind of thing. Do you have job skills you can exploit? Sit with yourself and do a brainstorming session. Write down anything and everything that comes to mind regarding your options, even if they seem ridiculous. Don't censor yourself. Sometimes out of that kind of thing comes a viable solution.