Four In Five Women Take Social Security Early

Maximizing benefits key to enduring financial challenges in retirement but just 3 percent of women do

 

More than four in five women elect to take their Social Security early, which locks in a lower payment for life, but provides immediate income. Despite that many of those retirees say financial problems have taken the shine off what are supposed to be their golden years.

 

Social Security can represent up to 40 percent of the total income Americans receive throughout retirement. However, according to a survey by the Nationwide Retirement Institute SM, only 15 percent of women waited until their full retirement age and only 3 percent took it late. Women who don’t maximize their Social Security benefits can miss out on hundreds of thousands of dollars of retirement income.

 

“There are many reasons women take Social Security early. Some mistakenly believe taking it earlier will result in more money over the long run, while others may have been forced into retirement early and need the money,” said Shawn Britt, director of advanced consulting for Nationwide.

 

Women who took their benefit early report an average monthly payment of $1,025. Those who collected it at their full retirement age have an average $1,270 monthly payment. Of the 471 women surveyed by Harris Poll on behalf of Nationwide, only 10 delayed collecting their benefit until 70. They report an average monthly payment of $1,630 (or 59 percent more than if they had taken it early).

 

“Many people are not aware of the different options available for taking Social Security income. For example, married women might think about having their husband file and suspend, which will still allow the wife to collect spousal benefits,” Britt said. “The husband will then wait to age 70 to take his. That way, if he dies, she ends up with a much higher payment as a widow.”

 

“Too many spouses think they can’t do this because they still work. That’s a huge mistake and you can’t go back to correct it later and get that money back,” she added.

 

Filing early also makes sense if you’re in poor health and don’t expect to live long. But more often than not, the decision is tied to an incorrect expectation about longevity or fear of Social Security running out of money.

 

“Many people file early because they think ‘once I am in the system they can’t kick me out.’” Britt said. “Others miscalculate how long they have until they breakeven. Many think it’s 85, but for many people it is around 80.”

 

The fact is life is long – especially for women. Women’s average life expectancy is 86, with one in four reaching 92. That’s a long time to rely on savings, so maximizing retirement income is crucial.

 

In the survey of 471 women aged 50 or older who are either already retired or plan to retire in the next 10 years -- only 29 percent say life is better than before retirement and 28 percent say life is worse. For those who say it’s worse, most say it’s due to lack of income in retirement and higher than expected cost of living expenses.

 

Since Social Security benefits are based on average earnings over the best 35 years of a career, women are often penalized for leaving the workforce to raise children or care for a parent.

 

“Some women have to retire early to care for an elderly parent who has no long-term care coverage,” Britt said. “Women caregivers are two-and-a-half times more likely to end up in poverty and five times more likely to depend primarily on Social Security for income.¹

 

“Having children and being a caregiver can cost women $565,000 in lifetime earnings; plus $25,400 in Social Security benefits and $67,000 in pension benefits²,” Britt said. More than 2.6 million women over the age of 65 lived in poverty in 2012, according to an analysis from the National Women’s Law Center.

Work with an advisor

Women not working with a financial advisor are nearly three times as likely than those who do to say their Social Security payment was less or much less than expected (37 percent vs. 13 percent). Yet, only 33 percent of women work with a financial advisor. “Women who work with an advisor are more likely to receive good advice on optimizing Social Security,” Britt said. “If you have the ability to sacrifice a little for a few years it is worth it. Maximizing benefits will result in less chance of outliving other income sources and reduce the chance of not being able to maintain your lifestyle.”

Methodology:

The 2014 Social Security Study was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Poll on behalf of Nationwide Financial between Feb. 27 and March 4, 2014. The respondents comprised a representative sample of 471 U.S. women aged 50 or older who are either retired or plan to retire in the next 10 years. Results were weighted to the U.S. General Online Population of adults by race/ethnicity, education and region. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys. Because the sample is based on those who were invited to participate in the Harris Poll online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

 

[1] American Association for LTC Insurance, January 2013
[2] Minnesota Women’s Press, Take time to make long term care plans, November 2013.

Nationwide Moves to One Brand

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company announced today that it will align its products and services under its most recognizable brand—Nationwide.

 

The company, which currently operates under multiple brand names – including, but not limited to Nationwide Insurance, Allied Insurance, Harleysville Insurance, Nationwide Financial, Scottsdale Insurance, Crestbrook Insurance and Veterinary Pet Insurance – is moving to a one-brand approach to leverage its diverse product portfolio, financial stability and business relationships more effectively.

 

“This is an exciting time for Nationwide. We’re a company that has a much larger footprint than most people realize,” said Nationwide Chief Executive Officer Steve Rasmussen. “Nationwide is in all 50 states and features more products and solutions than our competitors, but customers in many areas aren’t aware of our strength, offerings and size because we feature so many brands that can appear to be unrelated. Updating our mark and going to one brand will allow customers to find us when they’re looking for solutions, both now, and in the future.”

 

To highlight the shift to one Nationwide brand, the company is introducing an updated version of the Nationwide N and Eagle brand mark that harkens back to the company’s heritage and the famous 50-year-old tag line, “Nationwide is on your side.” The refreshed N and Eagle brand mark will be introduced in the marketplace beginning this week, replacing the blue frame.

 

“We’ve used the N and Eagle as a visual element in our Join the Nation campaign, and feedback revealed that this memorable feature still resonates with members, agents, producers and the general public,” Rasmussen added. “The Nationwide brand is the core and embodiment of who we are as a company, and research shows it is our best-known asset. We plan to leverage this asset to shine the spotlight on all of the products and solutions we offer.”

 

Nationwide will transition to the new brand look, for the most part, over the next 18 months. It will impact everything, including advertising assets, branding on and in company-owned real estate, digital platforms like Nationwide.com, sales collateral, agency signage and various other communications channels.

 

On Sept. 4, Nationwide’s new NFL advertising, featuring Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, airs and will reflect the new brand mark. The company will also feature the refreshed brand mark on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 car at the Richmond International Raceway NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sept. 6.

'Jingle' to Premiere on September 4th During Thursday Night Football

Leveraging one of its most powerful branding assets, Nationwide unveiled its first television advertisement featuring Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. The ad, titled “Jingle,” will debut during Thursday Night Football on Sept. 4 and will run throughout the National Football League season.

 

“Jingle” shows Peyton’s light-hearted side as he incorporates the widely recognized “Nationwide is on your side®” jingle into various aspects of his daily routine.

 

“Everywhere we go, people sing the ‘Nationwide is on your side’ jingle. As we developed this ad, we wanted to convey the familiarity of the jingle in a manner that attracts attention in a light-hearted way,” said Matt Jauchius, chief marketing officer at Nationwide.

 

“Jingle” is part of the company’s integrated Join the Nation national marketing campaign and will feature the Nationwide N and Eagle brand mark, unveiled on Sept. 2.

 

The 30-second spot was developed in partnership with Ogilvy & Mather Advertising of New York.

When Should Seniors Stop Driving - Keeping Seniors Safe on the Road

What adult children should look for and how to help. 

When is it time for a senior parent to stop driving? It’s a question many adult children don’t want to think about, but they should.

 

In 2012, there were 3,616 fatal car crashes involving older drivers, according to the most recent data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While the number of such annual incidents has decreased since 1997, more than five motorists 70 or older die for every 1,000 automotive accidents involving this age group, which is triple the rate of those age 35 to 54, the IIHS reports.

 

“When to stop driving is one of the most difficult conversations you can have with an older parent,” says Bill Windsor, Associate Vice President of Consumer Safety for Nationwide. “From your parents’ perspective, driving represents the gateway to their independence, a way to maintain control over their lives. But there are trouble signs that could increase the risk of a crash.”

 

Here’s a guide for adult children of seniors with respect to potential red flags, suggestions for adjustments and tips for having a difficult discussion about not driving any longer:

 

Cautionary observation. Diminished motor function, reaction times and cognitive abilities can all impact driving. Watch to see if the senior parent in question struggles to look over his or her shoulder to change lanes, or turn from left to right at intersections to check for pedestrians, suggests Helpguide.org, a site which specializes in mental health guidance and related topics.

 

“You can make assessments based upon talks with your parent’s friends, or your own observations,” Windsor says. “Are they having trouble with the basics? Are they getting lost frequently, or having near crashes?”

 

Expert opinion. Regular medical checkups are key – for vision, hearing, mental alertness and even whether the senior parent is getting enough sleep. “This checkup should include an exchange with the doctor about how your parent’s condition is impacting his or her ability to drive safely,” Windsor says, “as well as if there are any prescriptions being taken that are causing problems.”

 

Back to school. There are many ways to extend longevity for fitness for the road. Daily exercise will improve strength, flexibility, conditioning and mental focus of older drivers. “A parent can also take a defensive driving course to sharpen skills,” Windsor says. “In the process, he or she could earn a discount on insurance premiums.”

 

When it’s time to talk … Here are some takeaways from Windsor and Helpguide about how to approach an elderly parent with concerns, including the possibility of giving up the keys:

• Be respectful. You won’t get anywhere with a confrontational manner or lots of accusations. To avoid backing your parent into a defensive corner, approach him or her with empathy. “Put yourself in their shoes by understanding how trying this kind of transition can be,” Windsor says. “In a non-critical way, provide factual examples of what you and others have seen.”

 

• Enlist a detached professional party. If a driving specialist or the family doctor takes part in the conversation, the parent may respond more positively, as opposed to dismissively perceiving urgings from a family member as “nagging.”

 

• Ease in with a transition. Instead of asking a parent to go “cold turkey,” you might suggest little adjustments at first, such as not driving at night or on busy freeways.

 

• Have a plan. If you feel a parent really should stop driving, it’s best to offer alternatives for getting around so he or she won’t feel “trapped” and housebound. Options include public transportation, ride sharing, community shuttles, senior transit, taxis and walking. “Collect lots of information and come up with a viable action plan,” Windsor says.

•  

5 Essential Tips to Keeping Your Pet Healthy This Summer

 

Thinking about ways to get in shape for summer? Don’t forget your pet. Pets require good nutrition and exercise, too. And with summer here, there’s more to consider. From vet visits to insurance coverage, it’s smart to plan ahead so your 4-legged friend can put their best paw forward.

Get your pet in top shape

Help keep your pet in the trim by feeding them well-proportioned, nutritious meals, along with healthy snacks. Ask your vet for recommendations. Make sure their weight is in the range for their breed and age; otherwise, they may have serious health problems down the road. The main cause of obesity in pets is overfeeding, so don’t fall victim to those puppy eyes (we know it’s hard).

Protect your pal’s skin

Think all that fur shields your pet from harmful ultraviolet rays? With skin cancer being the most common form of cancer in dogs and the second most common in cats, protecting their skin from the sun is vital. If your pet will be outdoors for an extended period of time, talk to your veterinarian about using a pet sunscreen on unprotected areas like the nose and ears. Also, make sure they stay hydrated and in the shade.

Beware of bugs

Warmer months mean more fleas, ticks and mosquitos. Giving your pet preventive medicine will avert insects that can carry heartworm disease. Ask your vet about keeping your pet parasite-free. And stay up to date on vaccinations.

So fresh and so clean

You may notice more than the normal amount of hair around the house in the summer. Somebody’s shedding their winter coat. Frequent brushing helps keep shedding under control. Other necessary grooming includes:

• Nail trimming
• Bathing
• Dental care
• Eye and ear cleaning

Don’t forget pet insurance

For the same reasons you have health coverage, your pet should have pet insurance. No matter what type of pet you have or the size of your budget, there are coverage options to fit both your needs.

 

Learn about the wide range of plans available today from Veterinary Pet Insurance^®.

5 Small Business Trends You May Want to Follow in 2014

 

True entrepreneurial spirit was a hallmark of 2013. According to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, about 476,000 new business owners emerged each month – a strong sign of economic recovery in the U.S. And the trend is likely to continue through 2014.

 

With so many drastic changes in recent years, the way in which we conduct business will only continue to transform and evolve. Let’s take a look at some of the 2014 business themes and trends.

 

 Rise of the virtual workforce

 

The widespread adoption of virtual work practices is a theme we’ll see in 2014. A recent International Data Corporation (IDC) forecast projected that the mobile worker population will exceed 1.3 billion by 2015.

 

This increase will allow companies to be more flexible and have access to a larger, more diverse talent pool and lower office costs, freedom of job location and overall job satisfaction. We have the internet to thank for making this possible, as all work and communication activities can be logged online.

 

Leveraging social media

 

As of September 2013, 71% of all online adults used Facebook. Today, 81% of millennials are active on Facebook. More small businesses are using this trend to their advantage – turning to social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to engage with customers. This gives businesses the opportunity to display a more human side. More companies are also adding social media to their overall marketing campaigns.

 

Mobile website optimization

 

A mobile-friendly website is key to the long-term success of small businesses. January 2014 marked the first time that Americans using mobile devices to access the internet surpassed PCs. At the very least, businesses should make sure their website properly fits on a mobile screen so users can easily navigate the site.

 

Investment in mobile apps

 

As we’re living in a mobile world, more small businesses are beginning to connect with existing and potential customers via smartphone apps. For example, a restaurant may use an app to broadcast its menu and any upcoming specials. Business owners can also use mobile apps to better manage their finances.

 

Crowdfunding as a capital source

 

While it’s not a new idea, many businesses are relying on crowd-funding websites to raise capital. Crowd-funding involves raising small amounts of money from a large number of people. The crowd-funding market hit $2.7 billion in 2012 – and shows no signs of slowing down.

 

These are a few of the small business trends headlining 2014. While many trends come and go, one that will never go out of style is the need for business owners to invest in reliable small business insurance. Learn more about the wide variety of industries we serve.

10 Things You Should Know Before Renting a Car

There may come a time when you need to rent a car – a temporary set of wheels for use on vacation or when your car is in the shop. Whatever the situation, it’s important to know the ins and outs of renting a car, which can help you avoid the most common hidden fees that rental agencies charge.

1. Limit additional drivers

Will you be the only driver – or will someone else in your party take the wheel at times? If you share driving duties, you may have to include additional names on the rental contract, which could increase the cost. Age is also a factor, as drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 are more expensive. Your best bet is to try to keep the number of drivers to a minimum to avoid supplementary fees and stress.

2. Review your car insurance policy

While rental reimbursement insurance covers the actual cost of a rental car, it does not protect the rented vehicle in the event of an accident. Before accepting the insurance option offered to you by the rental agent, check with your agent to see if your personal car insurance policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage. If you already have this coverage on your regular vehicle, there’s a good chance it will transfer to a rental car so be sure to check your policy.

3. Get educated on travel policies

Taking your rental car out of state? Check for restrictions or additional fees. Renting in another country? Know that many insurance policies don’t offer coverage abroad.

4. Fill up before returning

Rental companies often require that the car be returned with a full tank of gas or they’ll charge you a substantial fee to refill the tank. Fill up yourself – at a gas station near the rental outlet.

5. Bring your own accessories

As with gas, rental car companies generally charge more – often on a daily basis – for extras like navigation systems or baby safety car seats. Bring your own.

6. Driving safety background checks could block you

If your driving record isn’t up to par, you could be rejected from renting a car – yes, even if you have a reservation. Some rental agencies look at your background to check for incidents of reckless driving, accidents or seat belt violations. If your past doesn’t meet company standards, you could be out of luck.

7. Inspection is necessary

Make sure to inspect the car thoroughly before signing the rental contract. You don’t want to be held accountable for existing damage. Also, have an employee sign off on any ding, scratch or dent you spot. Most rental companies require you to sign an inspection form, but many people are in a hurry and rush through the process. Take this step seriously.

8. Avoid costly airport locations

Consider renting your car at a location away from the airport. Being able to rent and return at the terminal can be a more convenient option, but you can expect to pay for that convenience through additional airport fees.

9. Beware of credit card blocks

Are you nearing your credit limit or is your bank account balance low? Ask if the rental company puts a block on credit or debit cards – a practice used to ensure that customers have enough money to pay their bill.

10. Return on time

You may be surprised to learn that you could be charged extra for returning your rental car early. Bringing the vehicle back ahead of time, or later than agreed upon, could result in additional fees. If you anticipate a change in drop-off time, ask the rental agent about the company policy.

 

Don’t wait until it’s too late. These 10 tips can help you to stay clear of a rental car nightmare.