Recent content by Lancelot

Agreed, super humid. I used to get delicious meals in Singapore's covered, but open air, food courts. Most vendors have high turn over, so the food is fresh. Vendors serving spoiled or unappealing food seem to quickly go out of business.

I got the J&J one dose around April 2020 and a Moderna booster February 2022. About December 2021 (pre booster) I'm pretty sure I had Covid while living at Lake Chapala, Mexico. No sense of smell, body aches, flu like symptoms for five days. Then seven month in Asia, no problems and got Covid...

My Retirement application was approved about seven weeks after I applied. I was receiving a divorced spousal benefit from age 66 to 69 and then applied for my own deferred retirement benefit beginning at age 70. As other posters have mentioned, I first received a message saying my application...

I used to live in Thailand and Ally closed my account because "I wasn't living in the USA." I'm a US citizen, have a US address and phone number but they closed my account and transferred the balance to one of my (US) linked accounts) Left a bad taste in my mouth and I never used them again...

I read on the SS website that "most applications are approved in two to four weeks";D I currently receive s spousal benefit and filed for my own retirement benefit on Oct 2; my application is in step two. After reading the thread I reckon processing time is probably closer to three months. Age...

Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage discussions are almost as interesting as Social Security 62 vs 70 :) ;0

Up to him to enjoy blowing his cash; up to us to say we don't want to support such folly:dance:

I've spent a lot of time in Thailand and the Philippines. The OP's situation is not uncommon, face (status) is a big deal and I've seen large families live on the earnings of a family member who is an Overseas Foreign Worker OFW. Some families suck the blood from an OFW, while the poor wretch...

Similar to my Dad's experience. I'm with you about the longevity insurance aspect of SS.

I agree. I also view SS as income insurance. Delaying SS has also allowed me to withdraw some of my IRA at a lower tax rate. In any case, we are fortunate to have the choice:dance:

I agree. Former PM Cameron probably thought the referendum would be an easy Remain and would settle the issue. I've asked many Brits about their opinion and more than a few were very emotional about the issue. Like a divorce, easy to demand a split but after the euphoria of newly found freedom...

Yes Japan is deeply indebt; from what I've read most of their national debt is held by the Japanese themselves. I noticed Japanese living in Thailand, probably for the lower cost of living. IMHO, an aging Japan is more of a problem than their national debt. The first shot across the US bow...

Yes and when Papa Bush broke a campaign promise "read my lips" reference, because additional funding was in the best interest of the countrys sound fiscal position, he was voted out of office. Politicians heard that loud and clear, so now its cut taxes and/or offer some freebees and kick the can...

I goofed. The $48 difference would be for three months, so the monthly reduction would be about $16. Hope this helps.

Yes the three years before FRA benefits increase by 5/9 or.5555% per month. .5555 x 12 = 6.67% per year. They are not compounded, so its 100% minus the year and/or month before FRA. Confused yet? ;D I reckon the OP would receive 93.3% + 4.9% = 98.2% of his FRA benefit. Possibly .555% higher if...