Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 2, 2013

A11

 

THE GOOD LIFE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 2, 2013 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW DIVORCE CAN AFFECT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY 

Dear Savvy Senior:

Am I entitled to my former husband’s Social Security 
benefits? I was married for 12 unpleasant years 
and would like to know what I may be eligible for. 

Ex-spouse

Dear Ex-spouse:

 You’ll be happy to know that for the most part, 
Social Security provides divorced spouses benefits 
just like they do spouses, if you meet the government’s requirements. Here’s how it works. 

 A divorced spouse can collect a Social Security retirement benefit on the work record of their ex-
husband (or ex-wife) if they are at least age 62, were married for at least 10 years, are unmarried now, 
and are not eligible for a higher benefit based on their own work record. 

 In order to collect, however, your former spouse must also be at least 62 and eligible for Social 
Security benefits, and you must have been divorced for at least two years. But, he doesn’t have to be 
receiving them in order for you to collect divorced spouse’s benefits. 

 Even if your ex is remarried, it won’t affect your right to divorcee benefits, nor will it affect your ex’s 
retirement benefits or his current spouse’s benefits. 

Benefit Amount 

A divorced spouse can receive up to 50 percent of their ex’s full Social Security benefit, or less if they 
take benefits before their full-retirement age – which is 66 if you were born between 1943 and 1954. 
To find out your full-retirement age and see how much your benefits will be reduced by taking them 
early see ssa.gov/retire2/agereduction.htm. 

Keep in mind though, that if you qualify for benefits based on your own work history, you’ll receive 
the larger of the two benefits. You cannot receive benefits on both your own record, and your ex’s 
work record too.

To find out your retirement benefits based on your own earnings history, see your Social Security 
statement at ssa.gov/myaccount. And to get an estimate of your divorced spouse benefit, call Social 
Security at 800-772-1213. You’ll need you’re ex’s Social Security Number to get it. 

Getting Remarried 

Since three-quarters of U.S. divorcees get married again, it’s also important to understand that remarrying 
makes you ineligible for divorced spouse’s benefits unless the later marriage ends. And, for 
those who have been married and divorced twice, with both marriages lasting more than 10 years, 
you can collect using the ex-spouse with the larger Social Security benefit. 

Divorced Survivor

You also need to know that if your ex-spouse dies, and you were married for 10 or more years, you 
become eligible for divorced “survivor benefits,” which is worth up to 100 percent of what your ex-
spouse was due. 

Survivor’s benefits are available to divorced spouses as early as age 60 (50 if you’re disabled). But, if 
you remarry before 60 you become ineligible unless the marriage ends. Remarrying after age 60 will 
not affect your eligibility.

Also note that if you are receiving divorced spouses benefits when you ex-spouse dies, you will automatically 
be switched over to the higher paying survivor benefit.

Switching Strategies

Being divorced also offers some switching strategies that can help boost your benefits. For working 
divorced spouses, there’s an option that lets you file a “restricted” application with Social Security (at 
full retirement age) to collect a divorced spousal benefit, which is half of what your ex gets. Then, once 
you reach 70, you stop receiving the ex-spousal benefit and switch to your own benefit, which will be 
32 percent higher than it would have been at your full retirement age. 

Divorced widows (and widowers) have even more options. If, for example, you are currently collecting 
Social Security retirement benefits on your own record, and your ex-spouse dies, you can switch 
to survivor’s benefits if the payment is larger. Or, if you’re collecting survivor’s benefits, you can switch 
to your own retirement benefits – between 62 and 70 – if it offers a larger payment. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

 By Pat Birdsall

FYI: THIS AND THAT

A “little birdie” told me that the person who brought a large bag of aluminum pop tops to the Senior 
Center was Mark K. Very kind of you Mark! The Senior Club thanks you and the kids at the Ronald 
McDonald House thank you! We have almost 10 pounds now. It doesn’t sound like much, but when 
you consider how small they are, it’s a lot. Everyone, please keep them coming!

Some important additions to the schedule at the Sierra Madre Senior Center: 

 *The telephone number for all reservations is: (626) 355-7394*

Tech Talk- Monday, November 25th 2:00-3:00 pm. Teens from the YMCA Teen Leadership Club 
will be providing instructions on cell phones, tablets, computers, etc. Reserve space in this free class. 
Two computers are available, but bring the other devices to class. Free “Hear” Screening- Tuesday, 
November 5th and Tuesday, December 3rd from 10:00 am to Noon. The Hear Center will provide 
free hearing tests. The appointments are 20 minutes and advance sign-up is required. Free Memory 
Screening-Thursday, November 7th and Friday, November 8th from 11:00 am-Noon. Confidential 
Memory Screenings are available at the Senior Center given by Family Peace. Appointment is 
required. Free CPR & AED Training Session- Thursday, November 14th from 12:00- 1:00 pm. Save a 
life when you learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the Automated External Defibrillator 
(AED) Class by the Sierra Madre Fire Department.

.....................................................................................

HELPFUL HINT: To deodorize your plastic food containers- After washing with soap and 
water, fill your sink with warm water and baking soda and soak the containers overnight. The next 
morning, rinse your containers well and the odors will be gone…She says confidentially. 

......................................................................................

FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE - After a high school basketball game, the coach spotted 
a cell phone lying on the floor. “Here,” he said to the ref, “I think this is yours.” “What makes you think 
it’s my phone?” asked the ref. “Easy,” the coach said, “it says you have ten missed calls.”

 ~ ~ ~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … November Birthdays

Flo Mankin, Alberta Curran, Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena Zate, Joe Pergola, 
Janice Kacer, Valerie Howard, “Mike” Ruggles, Joan Ruggles, Lois Stueck, Jean Wood, 
Shirley Yergeau, Kathi Jefferson, Pat Krok, Irene Nakagawa, Anna Ross, Mary Steinberg 
and Sue Quinn.

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth 
not required

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Quote of the Week: Don’t forget to set your clocks back. I’m going to set mine back to when I 
was 20. ~Maxine~

 ..................................................................

ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park House 
(Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 YMCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale Senior Café: Monday-Friday at 12:00 Noon 

(Participants are urged to arrive no later than 11:45 A.M.) 

All seniors 60 and up can take part in the lunch program. There is a suggested donation of $2.00 for 
those 60 and over and $3.75 for non-senior guests. Daily

 reservations are necessary as space is limited. 

 Please call 24 hours in advance...626.355.0256

Free Balance Class: Every 3rd Monday for 11:00 am to 11:45 am with Shannon Vandevelde. A 
variety of balance exercises are practiced; all ability levels are encouraged and welcomed. 

Get fit, Have Fun with Zumba Gold

Zumba Gold is a low impact fitness class based on Latin and World Music. The upbeat music creates 
a fun atmosphere with easy to follow dance moves that will have you toning your body and improving 
your stamina and balance from your very first class. No dance experience is necessary and all fitness 
levels are welcome. Class is held Mondays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.Next session begins in September. 
$30.00 class fee. For more information or to sign up call the Community Services Department 
at (626) 355-5278.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: Held Second Tuesday of the month from 11:00 am-12:00 pm: No 
appointment necessary.

 

Bingo: Every Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Cards are only .25c each! 

Free Chair Yoga: New Hours: 11:00 to 11:45 Every Wednesday morning. Join Paul Hagen for this 
free class that focuses on senior yoga techniques. No reservation is necessary!

Free Legal Consultation: Pasadena attorney Lem Makupson volunteers on the 2nd Wednesday of 
the month. He focuses on estate planning, trusts, wills, probate, conservatorships and business law. 
*Appointments are a must! Please call: 626.355.7394 to make yours* Conflicting court schedules 
can occasionally cause cancellations.

LUNCH AND LEARN: CARE GIVING OPTIONS

Wednesday, November 13th- 12:00- 1:00 pm Hart Park House Senior Center

 Are there too many choices with retirement living? What are the costs? Does one move, downsize, 
or stay in place? Come hear a very informative talk about the variety of choices available and what’s 
best for you, your budget and lifestyle. Paula O’Sullivan from Home Care Providers will be speaking 
to this topic.

 If you would like to have lunch during the talk, please make a lunch reservation with the Senior 
Lunch Café at 626.355.0256 or bring your own.

Birthday Celebrations: The 2nd Thursday of the month the Senior Center celebrates the birthdays of 
our patrons at 12:30 pm. Please join us for free cake and ice cream and “celebration.” (The cakes are 
provided due to a generous donation from the Sierra Madre Civic Club.)

Game Day: Every Thursday at 1:00pm. Poker is usually the game of choice, or should I say chance? 
Board games and other card games are also available. Outside, on the patio, a beautiful, one-of-a-
kind chess table is anxious for players.

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 1:00 pm -1:45 pm Conducted by long-time 
volunteer, Lisa Brandley. The class utilizes light weights for low-impact resistance training. Weights 
are provided by the Sierra Madre Senior Center. It’s a great way to stay in shape and to

 socialize with your peers. 

Senior Citizens Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House (Senior Center). Brown bag lunch at 
11:30am; Club meeting at Noon; Bingo 12:30- 3:30 pm. Only .25c per card.

UPCOMING EXCURSIONS:

JEOPARDY TAPING AT SONY STUDIOS - Sony Studios, Culver City, Ca.

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Time: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Sr. Center Cost: $15.00 (does not include lunch)

Join us as we head to the Sony Studios in Culver City for the taping of Jeopardy!, America’s favorite 
quiz show. The show is a winner of a 2012 Peabody award and 30 Emmy awards, including the 2012 
Emmy for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation. Participants will have the opportunity to see 
the tapping of three shows which takes approximately 2 hours. Following the tapings, at approximately 
1:15 pm, participants will lunch together at the Overland Café just down the street from the studio. It 
is recommended to bring $10-15 for lunch. Tickets are selling quickly so come in today and purchase 
yours. Last day to register is November 5th.

Level of walking: Minimal

Friday, December 13, 2013. “Because it’s Christmas” 

Show at Candlelight Pavilion (Claremont, Ca.) $67.00 (Lunch included) 10:00 am- 4:00 pm

*Registering for Excursions can be done in person at the Hart Park House Senior Center and the 
Community Recreation Center or online at www.cityofsierramadre.com Cash, checks, and credit 
cards are accepted. Make checks payable “City of Sierra Madre”. Payment must be made at the time of 
reservation. CALL (626) 355-7394

 

Senior Movie Program: 

FREE movies are chosen by the seniors themselves and shown on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the 
month (EXCEPT OCTOBER - see below) in Sierra Madre’s City Council Chambers, 232 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. ~ Start time is 1:00pm ~ 

November 6th: Avalon (1990)

A Polish-Jewish family comes to the USA at the beginning of the 20th Century and tries to make 
themselves a better future in the so-called Promised Land. Rated PG (run time 128 minutes.)

November 20th : Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale (1994)

Loosely based on the actual historical Native American figure Squanto, and his life prior to and 
including the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620.

Rated PG (run time 101 minutes)


KATIE Tse.....................This and That

MEMORABLE LESSONS (FROM UNMEMORABLE 
TEACHERS)

 My Mom is a retired third grade public school teacher. Besides her, I have 
many friends and relatives in education. Every so often (usually on “professional 
development” days) the presenter asks all the teachers to reach far back in their 
memories and answer the question, “Why did I become an educator?” (They 
can’t answer, “For the pension,” “Job stability,” or “The summer off!”) They have to come up with 
something touching like, “Mrs. Gibbon, my fifth grade teacher, made me want to become a teacher!” 
or “Mr. Thompson from my freshman year changed my life!”

 Sure, having a life-changing teacher in your past is great. But 
sometimes it’s not the personalities we remember. Sometimes 
it’s the odd lesson that captivates us, searing its details into our 
memory for years to come. Such was the case with my Mom’s 
high school biology teacher.

 Mrs. Dempster, my Mom recalls, was a nondescript, middle-
aged woman who didn’t tend toward excitement, anger, or any 
other emotional outbursts. However, one day Mrs. Dempster 
gave a lesson on trichinosis. Trichinosis, if you are unfamiliar, 
is a disease caused by parasites typically contracted from 
undercooked pork. But that’s not all... 

 First, the unknowing host ingests encapsulated larvae cysts 
(bug eggs, sort of). In Mrs. Dempster’s account, the victim 
was dining on ground pork, something like “pork tartar.” 
Once consumed, the larvae are released when the cysts hit our 
stomach acid. From there, they burrow into the intestines, 
molt a few times, and mate.

 Succeeding generations are eventually forced to migrate 
farther down the intestinal tract as the host (us!) develops 
immunities. But the fun doesn’t stop there! The immature 
worms are equipped with a “sword like” oral apparatus that 
allows them to cut entryways into the blood stream. They can then circulate throughout the body and 
infest muscle, organs, and other vital body parts.

 Nowadays, trichinosis is relatively rare in the U.S. There are several medications available to 
apprehend the infection and stave off further damage. But such medical advances weren’t widely 
available in the 1960’s, when my Mom was in high school. No, Mrs. Dempster’s case study victim 
succumbed to his parasites after they swarmed his brain and wrecked havoc in the rest of his central 
nervous system. Tragic yes, but memorable.

 Modern medical advice indicates against eating opossums, bears, wild hogs (Neil is safe, he’s a 
parasite-free pig), and polar bears (Ha! Have a panda while you’re at it --eating endangered species!). 
If you choose to hunt, please hunt responsibly, and thoroughly cook any game your hunting buddies 
may offer you.

 While I don’t really expect my little article to save anyone from trichinosis (because, hopefully, 
you’d never be in danger of getting it anyway), I hope this meander down medical memory lane has 
brought to mind forgotten lectures you heard as a student, so many years ago. And if I’ve failed at any 
of these objectives, I suppose I at least gave you a little Halloween fright! (Go vegan!)


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