6 Ways Social Security Will Change in 2013

Including in being a Christian Life Coach, you always want your clients to be aware of the current changes to anything that may affect them - long or short term. Considering the busy schedule of most people, this article may has slipped your review: 

By Emily Brandon | U.S.News & World Report LP 



Social Security recipients will get slightly bigger checks in 2013. The Social Security Administration also recently announced several other ways the program will be tweaked in the coming year. Here's a look at the Social Security changes workers and retirees will experience next year:

[See 12 Ways to Increase Your Social Security Payments.]

Bigger monthly payments. Social Security payments will increase by 1.7 percent in 2013. That's considerably less than the 3.6 percent cost of living adjustment retirees received in 2012. Social Security payments are adjusted each year to reflect inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. Previous inflation adjustments have ranged from zero in 2010 and 2011 to 14.3 percent in 1980. The average Social Security check is expected to increase by $21 as a result of the change from $1,240 before the cost of living adjustment to $1,261 after. Couples will see their benefit payments grow from an average of $2,014 to $2,048.

Payroll tax cut scheduled to expire. Workers will pay 6.2 percent of their income into the Social Security system in 2013, up from 4.2 percent in 2012. The temporary payroll tax cut expires at the end of December 2012 under current law.

Higher Social Security tax cap. The maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security taxes will be $113,700 in 2013, up from $110,100 in 2012. Approximately 10 million people will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.

Increased earnings limit. Retirees who work and collect Social Security benefits at the same time will be able to earn $480 more next year before any portion of their Social Security payment will be withheld. Social Security recipients who are younger than their full retirement age (66 for those born between 1943 and 1954) can earn up to $15,120 in 2013, after which $1 of every $2 earned will be temporarily withheld from their Social Security payments. For retirees who turn 66 in 2013, the limit will be $40,080, after which $1 of every $3 earned will be withheld. Once you turn your full retirement age you can earn any amount without penalty and collect Social Security benefits at the same time. At your full retirement age your monthly payments will also be adjusted to reflect any benefits that were withheld and your continued earnings.

Maximum possible benefit grows. The maximum possible Social Security benefit for a worker who begins collecting benefits at their full retirement age will be $2,533 in 2013, up from $2,513 per month in 2012.

Paper checks will end. The U.S. Treasury will stop mailing paper checks to Social Security beneficiaries on March 1, 2013. All federal benefit recipients must then receive their payments via direct deposit to a bank or credit union account or loaded onto a Direct Express Debit MasterCard. Retirees who do not choose an electronic payment option by March 1 will receive their payments loaded onto a pre-paid debit card. Most people already receive their benefit payments electronically, and new Social Security recipients have been required to choose an electronic payment option since 2011.

Ga. Man Shaves Head to Support Wife, Finds His Own Cancer

As a breast cancer survivor, I always love a story of triumph, endurance and victory. Please read the story below by Suzan Clarke:
 

By Suzan Clarke | ABC News Blogs 

(

Photo Courtesy: Dolly Stringer) 

When Dolly Stringer was diagnosed with breast cancer in April, she decided to take control and shave her head before she began chemotherapy.

Now, the Moultrie, Ga., woman believes she got cancer for a reason: to save her husband's life.

To show solidarity with Stringer, her husband, Bud, decided to shave his head. His family members were curious about the black patch on his newly-shaved pate.

"And I said 'you know, I'm sure that's a birthmark,' but I didn't realize I had one so I called my mom and she said 'no, it's not a birthmark, you didn't have one,'" Bud Stringer told ABC News in an interview on Monday.

He decided it was a mole, but a biopsy proved him wrong: it was stage three malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer.

RELATED: Cancer survivor's wife makes unusual donation to Connecticut hospital
The Stringers, who have a son who's 12 and another who's 10, were stunned. They had never had any health problems before.
 
(Photo Courtesy: Dolly Stringer) 
 "I was just really in shock and Bud was, too … and I was just devastated, because it's one thing to have it yourself, that I could handle, but to know that Bud was going to have to go through what I was going through, and worse?" Dolly, 47, said.

Dolly had had several surgeries since her stage three breast cancer diagnosis, and completed her eighth - and final round - of chemotherapy last week. She is preparing to start six and a half weeks of radiation treatment.

Bud's treatment will be more intense. Since his cancer is so aggressive, his treatment will have to be as well. Diagnosed in August, he's already had two extensive surgeries, and is preparing to start a year of chemotherapy. Bud said he'll have chemotherapy five days a week for the first month, and will do self-injections of chemo for 11 months after that.

Despite their troubles, the two - married for nearly 20 years - are upbeat.

"The surgeons down at Moffitt (Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla.), they all feel very positive about the eventual outcome, that it will be very good," Bud said.

Dolly's prognosis is also good. She said her doctor told her she had a "garden-variety" type of cancer. She believes her illness has a greater purpose.

"I now know that I had to have that to save Bud's life, because he would have been - the doctor told me that I would have been burying him probably by Christmas" if the melanoma hadn't been diagnosed and treated, she said, adding, "We just have so, so much to be thankful for."
Bud, 48, agreed.

"I'm not a Bible-thumper, I am a Christian, but I really feel like God's hand shaved my head. I really do … If Dolly had not lost her hair - or chosen to shave her head - I never would have found this … ," he said.

Dolly said when Bud was initially diagnosed she grew very worried. He runs a small business, Rose City Glass in Thomasville, Ga., and since she was sick, he was the primary breadwinner for the family. Dolly is a therapist for an addiction hospital, and although she has health insurance through her job, she has had to work less because of her treatment.

But the Stringers were not without support.

After Bud's diagnosis, "People started coming out of the woodwork," Dolly said.
Those supporters have done the couple's lawn, helped clothe their children, and even sent food for their dogs.

Over the weekend, members of the pair's church organized a 5K run, expecting to raise about $5,000. They took in more than $40,000, Dolly said. The church, First Presbyterian of Moultrie, continues to accept donations for the Stringers.

The generosity has been overwhelming, and Dolly said it has brought her some peace.

"I could see very quickly that our needs were going to be provided for … We're going to be okay, the children are going to be okay," she said. "It's just been amazing. I mean every day we just we just find ourselves going 'thank you,' and it just doesn't feel like enough."

The Stringers want to raise awareness about cancer, particularly about melanoma. Prior to his diagnosis, Bud's head had been itching, Dolly said. She checked his head, but he had very dark hair, so she didn't see anything, she said.

"What we love … is that people are saying 'I went and got a mammogram because of this and 'I went to get a head-to-toe check with my dermatologist.'

"We even had a man that shaved his head just because he wanted to make sure," she said.

Day 13 (40 days of Prayer - Election)

Evening and morning and at noon

I will pray, and cry aloud,

And He shall hear my voice.

Psalm 55:17

Father,

We exalt our praise and adoration to You all throughout the day and night!  May we never forget that You are merciful and gracious, and that You, our Creator, receive our devotion and prayers with an attentive, listening ear. Give us eyes to see the splendor on Your holiness and ears to hear the majesty of Your voice as You lead us to holy and righteous living.

Day 12 (40 days of Prayer - Election)

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my 

deliverer;

My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;

So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:2-3

Lord,

You are the rock and strength of this nation.  You are the only one who can deliver us form our enemies.  We trust in You and pray humbly for Your guidance and direction for this great nation.  Give us wisdom to make right choices.  Help us to live in such a way that Your name will be honored in all things.  May You forever be praised.

Day 11 (40 days of Prayer - Election)

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not kow what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.  Romans 8:26
 
Thank you, Lord, for the gifts of Your Spirit who continually helps us overcome our weaknesses.  We confess that all things are possible through You and nothing is possible without You!  Open our hearts and intercede with the Father that we many humble ourselves in Your presence.  We thank You for Your forgiveness. Strengthen us to live with purpose and empower us to serve you.

Day 10 (40 days of Prayer - Election)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Father,
The joy of the Lord is our strength; therefore, let us rejoice as a nation and as a prople that have been blessed beyond all that we could ask or conceive. Let us prayer each day for Your divine guidance, O Lord, and never forget Your benefits. Thank You, Lord, that You welcome us to Your throne of grace to receive Your blessing.

Thomas Jefferson Prayer

Almighty God,
Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will.
Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither our of many kindreds and tongues.  Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, ant that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.
In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ of Lord.  Amen.

-Washington, D.C.  

March 4, 1801

Day 9 (40 days of Prayer - Election)

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.  Proverbs 15:8

Father,
Your Word says that if we delight ourselves in You, You will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). Please direct our paths in Your ways everlasting so that Your will becomes our desire; so that Your way becomes our delight.  Fill us with the power of Your presence and bind us together as a people of one nation under God.  And through each day, to You be the glory for all goodness and blessings that come our way.

Day 8 (40 Days of prayer - Election)

Confess your trespass to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  James 5:16

Father,
Give us Your guidance and strength as we honestly confess our sins to You and to one another. And give us compassionate hearts as we pray for each other and hour leaders across the country and the world.  Rid us of judgement, condemnation, and pride, and fill s with a spirit of grace, mercy and love. Create in our hearts a fervent desire to pray every day for Your leadership to reign in our lives.

Day 7 (40 days of Prayer - Election)

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." 
John 15:7-8

Lord,
We as a people have become self-absorbed and busy with activities that bring temporal value. Help us turn our hearts back to You and Your word so our nation will bear the fruit of righteousness and be set above all other nations! Strengthen us with the power of Your Spirit in our inner being as we strive to abide in You and to continue in faith that You will do more for us then we could ever imagine.

Day 6 (40 days of Prayer - Election)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

Lord,
You have commanded us to make disciples of all nations-may we begin within our own hearts! You are the way, the truth, and the life, and we thank You for Your promise to be with us always.  Give us sincerity of heart and unfailing courage  to spread this good news, whether with our neighbors across the street or with lost souls across the earth.  We trust in You to work through us-without You we can do nothing!

Washington's Prayer

O eternal and everlasting God, ... increase my faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation teach me how to live in they fear, labor in they service and ever to tun in the ways of thy commencements make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may case me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of they son Jesus Christ, that living in they fear, and dying in they favor, I may in the appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life bless my family, friends, and kindred.

- Undated Prayer from Washington's Prayer Journal, Mount Vernon

Day 5 (40 days of Prayer - Election)

For I know the thought that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.   Jeremiah 29: 11-13


Father,
We know that Your heart's desire for us is to be at peace with You and with those around us.  Place within our hearts the desire to live for You and to listen to the leading of Your Spirit. Let us diligently search for You. Open our eyes that we might see what is good, honorable, and just for this country and for the well-being of all people.