| Volume 21 Number 9 |
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sought to forge the common ground on which people from all walks of life could join together to address important community issues. On January 21st, 2008, millions of Americans across the country will once again honor his legacy by taking part in a wide range of service projects;conducting food drives, painting schools and community centers, recruiting mentors for needy youth, and bringing meals to homebound neighbors, to name but a few. Click here for more.
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Immediately review your bank statements and returned checks for forgeries. Promptly report any problems to your bank. A short delay may cost you your legal rights.
For Every Vice, There's a Price
Brace yourself. You may soon get a memo from your employer with a pretty bold threat: Shape up or pay up. As part of an ongoing effort to curb the runaway cost of providing health benefits, a small but growing number of companies are charging workers for habits like smoking, overeating and failing to exercise. Click here for more.
7 Tax-Filing Moves You Can Make Now
Earlier is better when it comes to working on your taxes, for both you and the Internal Revenue Service. By getting a head start on tax preparation, you avoid the last-minute rush, when many filing mistakes are made. And the sooner the tax agency gets your return, the sooner it can process it and get your refund on its way to you. Click here for more.
Advocates for Residents of Nursing Homes, by State
An Ombudsman is an advocate for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, and assisted living. Ombudsmen provide information about how to find a facility and what to do to get quality care. They are trained to resolve problems. If you want, the ombudsman can assist you with complaints. However, unless you give the ombudsman permission to share your concerns, these matters are kept confidential. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long term care system. To find the ombudsman nearest you, contact your State Ombudsman office. Click here for more.
Boomers' Eagerness to Retire Could Cost Them
They're known as one of the most rebellious generations in U.S. history, not to mention the largest. This year, the oldest of the 79 million baby boomers born from 1946 through 1964 turn 62, which means they become eligible for Social Security. The boomers -- projected to live longer than any previous generation of Americans -- will have the longest retirements, too. Can they afford to retire? How far will their Social Security checks go? The reality is this: Many of those who retire early will accept reduced benefits -- and in doing so will risk falling short of their financial needs. Click here for more.
Your Money
Calculate your home's rate of return. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Fraud claim against insurer not barred by release. A California Court of Appeals has held that a homeowners' association that settled its earthquake claims with its insurer and released it from future claims can keep the money and sue for fraud based on the insurer's failure to inform it of the true policy limits. Click here for more.