Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, October 14, 2017

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 14, 2017 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
HOW TO SEARCH FOR FORGOTTEN 401(K) MONEY 


Dear Savvy Senior,
How do I find an old 401(k) that I think I
contributed money to at a former employer? 


Approaching Retirement 


Dear Approaching,
If you think you may have lost track of a401(k) retirement account, you aren’t alone. AsAmericans jump from job to job, many leavescraps of their company sponsored 401(k) plansbehind, believing they’ll deal with it later, butnever do. To help you look for an old 401(k),
here are some suggestions along with some freeresources that can help you search. 

Contact EmployerThe first way to find a previous 401(k) account isto contact your old employer’s human resourcesdepartment. Ask them to check their plan recordsto see if you ever participated in their 401(k)
plan, and if so, how much it’s worth. You’ll needto provide them your Social Security numberand the dates you worked for them.

They should be able to either get you theforms necessary to roll over your retirementmoney to a different 401(k) or to an IRA, or togive you contact information for any outsidefinancial institution overseeing the plan on youremployer’s behalf. By following the appropriateinstructions you get, you’ll be able to move yourretirement money where you want.

If you don’t have contact information for yourold employer, check your old records to see if youkept an old 401(k) statement. Statements willtypically have the information you need to getin contact with either your employer or a planadministrator. 

If you need help tracking down your formeremployer because it may have moved, changedowners or merged with another firm, freehelp is available from sources like the LaborDepartment (AskEBSA.dol.gov, 866-444-3272)
and the Pension Rights Center and PensionAction Center (PensionRights.org/find-help).

These services can tap into public databases thatlist incorporations and bankruptcies and may beable to help you dig up a plan’s most recently filedForm 5500, the annual report that must be filedwith the IRS, PBGC and the Labor Department. 


This form contains the plan’s contact informationand the employer’s identification number, whichcan be used to locate any plan that inherited theassets in a merger, acquisition or sale.

You can also find recently filed 5500s yourselfat websites like FreeERISA.com. 

Search Tools 
Finding a lost 401(k) account can be trickier ifit’s worth less than $5,000, because your formeremployer can transfer the money to a defaultindividual retirement account without consent. 
Your cash may go into an interest-bearing,
federally insured bank account or to your state’sunclaimed property fund.

To search for a lost plan, use the NationalRegistry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits at 
UnclaimedRetirementBenefits.com. This website 
matches former employers with past employeeswho have unclaimed retirement funds. This is a 
secure and free service, but you’ll need to provideyour Social Security number to search.

It can also be challenging to track down alost 401(k) account if your former employergoes bankrupt and abandons the plan. Inthis case, use the U.S. Department of Labor’sAbandoned Plan Database at AskEBSA.dol.gov/
abandonedplansearch.

Starting in 2018, the Pension Benefit GuarantyCorporation (PBGC.gov) will start acceptingtransfers of missing participants’ accounts fromterminating 401(k) plans. When the participantsare found, it will pay them that money plusinterest. The agency also plans to launch aregistry of terminated 401(k) plans that sent 
money elsewhere, so missing participants can 
more easily find their accounts.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior,

P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit 
SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor tothe NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy 
Senior” book. 
HALLOWEEN --YET AGAIN! 

Every year it seems like I couldJuly, we get the rest of July and all of August to relax.

recycle this article earlier andThere’s Labor Day in September, but who decorates

earlier. It hasn’t changed muchfor that? Some people might have a BBQ, but it’s

since last year, or even since Inot really big on the holiday hit parade. Columbus 

first published it eight years ago.Day is in October, but you never hear of Columbus

But I hope you enjoy it anyway!parties either. (Besides, modern culture has vilified

My husband and I were atColumbus so much that hardly anyone even getsHome Depot the other day and I swear it lookedthe day off.) So, there’s been a lot of latent holidaylike Party City on October 30th! Giant spiders,energy building since the last firework fizzled awayinflatable Frankensteins, and wrinkly motorizedon July 4th.
witches dominated the front of the store. I’m Also, Halloween isn’t a “milestone” holiday. As 
sure it’s only a matter of

kids, we all enjoyed ourtime before elaborate 

birthdays. But as we getyard decorations start 

older, we chide ourselves 
springing up around 

for failing to achieve 
town. Aside from the 

goals. We say, “I’m [30,
people who celebrate 

40, 50...], and I’m stillChristmas by festooning

not married, earned mytheir houses and yards

masters, bought a house,
with super-sized Santas

or [fill in the blank].” 
and mammoth reindeer, 

New Year is another 
Halloween seems to be 

“celebration” famous for 
the holiday for which

this kind of melancholy.
people go all out.

Heck, just listening 
Why is Halloween so

to “Old Lang Zine” is 
popular? Of course it’s 

depressing enough!
fun for kids to dress up

You can count on 
and binge on candy, but

Halloween to not be 
why go to all the effort

sentimental. There are no 
of transforming your

tear-jerker songs like “I’llyard into a labyrinth ofbe home for Halloween,” 
doom? And for that matter, why spend hundreds ofor “Have Yourself a Merry Little Halloween.” So, 
dollars and weeks of planning the perfect costumedeck your lawn with tombstones and stock upwhen you’re older than 17? (My apologies to anyon Snickers and Twix. But be sure to save some 
30 year old Halloween enthusiasts I’ve offended!)Twix for yourself --you’ll need the energy forAfter careful consideration, I’ve come up with a fewThanksgiving and all that lies beyond. Come to 
possible explanations.think of it, you might as well save all the Snickers, 
Halloween’s place in the order of holidays allows fortoo. So many kids have peanut allergies these days.
more energy to be spent on it. After the Fourth of “Happy Snacking!” 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….October Birthdays 

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, George Maurer, Dick 
Anderson, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, Cathleen Cremins, Alma Mays, 
Adie Marshall, Darlene Crook, Susan Gallagher, Maggie Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Elva 
Johnson, Ellen O’Leary, Jenny Piangenti, Gail Ann Skiles, Anita Thompson, Linda 
Boehm and Angela Stella. * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the 
paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required but you must be over 60. 

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

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each!
Everyone is welcome to join. May be canceled if less than five people. 
Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 

Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday July 20th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m for
Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is
welcome, no experience needed. Great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends. Activities
are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 
Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 16th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson
is available for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury.
Appointments are required by calling 626-355-7394. 


Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 
11:30a.m. 
Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. 3rd Mondays of each
month, a variety of balance exercises are practiced.All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed! 


*A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, but is not required. 
Case Management: Case Management Services are provided by the YWCA and offer assistance in
a variety of areas. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the Hart Park House
Office at 626-355-7394. 


Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House, share some free
birthday cake provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 


Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic
class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance and training conditioning. All class materials are
provided. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

OCTOBER EXCURSION 

(Huntington Beach)
Date: Thursday, October 19th, 2017
Time: 9:30a.m. – 3:00p.m.
Cost: $18.00 (Including Lunch)
The Old World Oktoberfest Celebration includes live bands playing the most
popular German Oom Pa Pah Music. The crowd is entertained with a variety


of dancing, singing, music and Heidi, the Contortionist Act. Oktoberfest Menu includes potato salad,
coleslaw, bratwurst, baked chicken, Spaetzle, sauerkraut, apple streusel cake, coffee and water. Alcohol is
available for purchase. Participants should bring money for shopping at the market deli and bakery.
Level of Walking: Low.
Call the Hart Park House at 626-355-7394 


Watercolor Painting with Kt Boyce

Monday, October 30, 2017, 12:30p.m. - 1:30p.m. at Hart Park HouseLearn basic watercolor painting and get in the mood for Fall. We will be painting on card stock withwater color paint. Color pencils will be used to enhance and for those who do not wish to paint canenjoy drawing. Come learn and share memories about pumpkins, growing history, and carving.
Instructor Kt will teach beginners to even the most advanced painter. All art materials and supplieswill be provided, however spaces are limited. Reservation are required to save your spot!
...Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394... 

SENIOR CINEMA -LUNCH AND LEARN - Transit 101 Class 
October 18th at 1:00p.m.Wednesday, September 27th 12:15p.m. – 1:00p.m.
An American in Paris (1951)

at the Hart Park House If you haven’t used public 
transportation before or it’s been a long time

 A 1961 American Musical film inspired by the

since you tried and you don’t know where to start,

1928 orchestral compostion by George Gershwin.

THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU! No need to stress 

Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) is an American Ex-GI

over mobility or other limitations - Feel confident

who stays in post-war Paris to become a painter,

enough to go out on your own! Come join us for

and falls for the gamine charms of Lise Bouvier

this FREE Transit Training Class

(Leslie Caron). However, his paintings come to the

-Please call the Hart Park House at 626-355-7394. 

attention of Milo Robert, a rich American heiress, 

make a reservation-

who is interested in more than just art. Run time:
1h 55m. 


We’d like to hear from you! 
What’s on YOUR Mind? 
Contact us at: editor@ 
mtnviewsnews.com 
or www.facebook.com/
mountainviewsnews 
AND Twitter: @mtnviewsnews 
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com