Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 17, 2015

THE GOOD LIFE

14

 Mountain Views News Saturday, October 17, 2015 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

SOCIAL SECURITY’S VIAGRA BENEFIT FOR KIDS 


Dear Savvy Senior:

I’ve been told that my children, who are 13 and 16 
years old, may be eligible for Social Security when I 
file for my retirement benefits. What can you tell me 
about this?

Older Dad

Dear Older:

It’s true. If you’re retired and are still raising young 
children, there’s a little-known Social Security 
benefit dubbed the “Viagra benefit,” that can put 
some extra money in your family coffers. 

 Here’s how it works. When you file for Social 
Security retirement benefits, each of your minor 
children can get money on your work record 
equaling half of what you would receive at full 
retirement age, which is currently 66. Even if you 
were to take a smaller benefit by claiming earlier, 
your kids will still get half of your full-retirement 
age amount.

 To qualify, your kids – whether they’re biological, 
adopted or step children – must be unmarried and 
under age 18. Kids that are over 18 but still in high 
school, can collect too until they graduate or turn 
19, whichever comes first. (Other rules apply to 
kids that are disabled.)

 But that’s not all.

 Because you have one child that’s only 13, your 
wife (if you’re married) can collect Social Security 
benefits on your work record too. And it doesn’t 
matter if she’s just 40 years old. The minimum age 
requirements to collect retirement benefits (62) or 
survivor benefits (60) do not apply when it comes 
to collecting benefits as the caregiver of a young 
child. The spouse’s benefit, which is also worth up 
to half of your benefit, will stop when your child 
turns 16.

 But be aware that there are limits to the 
amount of money that can be paid to a family. 
The Social Security “family maximum payment” 
is determined by a complex formula (see ssa.gov/
oact/cola/familymax.html) and can range from 
150 to 180 percent of your full retirement benefit 
amount. If the total exceeds that, each person’s 
benefit, except yours, is cut proportionately until it 
equals the maximum.

 Here’s an example of how that’s figured. Let’s 
say, for example, that your full retirement age 
benefit is $2,000. After doing the Social Security 
math computations that would make your family 
maximum benefit $3,500. 

 Subtract your $2,000 benefit from the $3,500 
family maximum benefit, which leaves $1,500. 
That’s the monthly amount that can be split 
between your two children – $750 each. If your 
wife wants in on it too, the individual checks are 
smaller, at $500 a piece, but the family amount is 
the same.

File and Suspend

One other benefit boosting strategy you should 
know about that’s relevant here is “file and 
suspend.” If you’re still working and would like to 
wait, say to age 67 or even 70 to start claiming your 
own benefits, you can file and suspend starting at 
full retirement age 66. 

 This option gives you the ability to start monthly 
payments for your minor children and wife, but 
suspend your own benefit so you can collect a 
larger amount later. Your benefit will increase by 8 
percent per year for every year you delay collecting 
your retirement benefit up until age 70. That means 
your retirement benefit at age 70 will be 132 percent 
of what it would have been if he had collected at age 
66.

 You should also know that minor children 
can collect Social Security benefits based on the 
earnings of a parent who is disabled or dead too. 

 To learn more, see the SSA publication (No. 05-
10085) “Benefits For Children” at ssa.gov/pubs/
EN-05-10085.pdf.

 

 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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …October Birthdays*

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, Ann Tyler, Pat Birdsall,

George Maurer, Dick Anderson, Barbara Cline, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie 
Coutant, Cathleen Cremins, Lillias Eubanks, 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...................................................................

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

 

 Activities at the Senior Center

 YWCA San Gabriel Valley - Intervale Senior Cafe 

Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA Intervale daily lunch program held 
at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Meals are served Monday through Friday at 12:00 pm 
and participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 am. Meals are a suggested donation of $3.00 
for seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Daily reservations are necessary, space is 
limited. Please reserve your lunch by calling 626-355-0256.

Tech Talk: Held on Monday, October 19th and 26th from 1:30-2:30pm. Learn how to use your new 
technology devises. Please reserve your space with the Hart Park House by calling 626-355-7394. 

 

Hawaiian and Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10am to 11am. Join 
instructor Barbara Dempsey as she instructs you in the art of hula. 

 

Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00pm. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to 
join. May be canceled if less than 5 people. 

 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11am to 12pm. No appt. is 
necessary. 

 

Brain Games: Thursday, October 15th, 10:30am - 11:30am, improve your memory and strengthen 
your brain. Activities facilitated by Swati Puri, Community Liaison for New Wave Home care of 
Pasadena. 

 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, October 21st from 10:30am to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. Appointment are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

 

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am. A suggested donation of $5 at one 
of the classes is requested, but is not required. 

 

Case Management: Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month. Case Management services are 
provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in a variety of areas. Appointments are required 
and can be scheduled by calling the HPH Office at 626-355-7394. 

 

Birthday Celebrations: Every second Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House. The free 
birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 

 

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00pm. (Please note the time change.) A regular group of 
seniors play poker. Other games available for use. 

 

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45pm to 1:30pm with Lisa Brandley. The class 
utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All materials for the class are provided. 

 

Senior Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown bag lunch at 11:30am. 
Club meeting at noon. Bingo 12:30-3:30pm. Annual Membership is only $10.00. 

ROGER’S GARDEN (CORONA DEL MAR)

Date: Thursday, November 5, 2015 

 Time: 8:45am to 3:15pm 

 Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center 

 Cost: $5.00 (Does not include lunch) 

 Roger’s Garden is a destination home and garden store for those seeking creative ideas and 
unique products for outdoor and indoor living. The outdoor environment inspires its visitors 
with beautiful foliage, flowering plants, seasonal herbs and vegetables. Roger’s Gardens indoor 
spaces present fine home furnishings and décor, gourmet foods, artisan collectibles, holiday 
décor, plein air art and brought together in a world-class creative and inspirational presentation. 
A landmark destination for more than 50 years. Lunch will be on your own at nearby restaurants. 
Participants should bring money for lunch and souvenirs. Last day to register is October 30th. 
Level of Walking: High 

Excursion Refund Policy 

Notification of the cancellation must be made at least 3 business days before the excursion. A refund 
will only be issued 1) for a medical excuse or 2) if the Department is able to fill the patrons spot 
from a waiting list. This refund will be issued in the form of a credit which will be applied to the 
patron’s account with the City, less a $11 cancellation fee. The credit will remain on your account for 
one year from the date issued and the credit may be used for any program or service offered by the 
Community Services Dept. 


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

VAMPIRE-IZE IT!

 I have a confession to make 
that I’m sure won’t be a surprise 
to anyone who’s followed my 
column for a while --I don’t 
always get around to writing new 
stuff. I have good intentions, but 
things seem to have just been 
really busy lately. For that, I apologize. So, with 
Halloween upon us I thought I’d re-submit a piece 
I wrote a few years ago about the film, “Abraham 
Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.”

 In revisiting this article, I had to update a few 
things. Namely, when I originally wrote it I hadn’t 
yet seen the film, but now I’ve 
had the pleasure of viewing it in 
all its campy glory. So here is my 
(somewhat) new and enhanced 
critique of a thoroughly enjoyable 
horror flick. 

 “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire 
Hunter” has all the stock elements 
we’d expect from a movie with that 
title. It has action, (Abe swings 
his axe around like a Jedi knight’s 
light saber), special effects, sex 
appeal (there are a few scantily clad 
vampire vixens), and blood. What 
vampire movie would be complete 
without copious amounts of blood?

 At the time I wrote this America 
was still in the throws of an 
obsession with death and vampires. We are still 
obsessed with death, but now we’ve transitioned from 
vampires to zombies. Nevertheless, the vampire 
craze did have an insanely long run. What started 
it all? Surely not Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Was it 
“Buffy, the Vampire Slayer”? That was back in 1997! 
There are young people for whom much of their lives 
have been spent during the great American vampire 
era. It got so big that it almost could’ve defined their 
generation. There’s “Generation X” like “Brand X,” 
“Generation Y,” as in “Why should I care?” And now 
we have “Generation Z.” Is it part of a large scale 
zombie conspiracy or is it just a coincidence? But I 
digress. Back to Lincoln. 

 What fascinated me about this new spin on an 
old theme was that its main character is Abraham 
Lincoln. Lincoln is great for documentaries, but an 
unusual choice for the subject of a thriller/horror 
movie? Everyone knows that the main character 
in these things has to be sexy. Lets consider some 
current action flicks. (These were “current” at the 
time, so that lets you know how old this article is!) 
“The Dark Night Rises” and “The Amazing Spider-
Man” have Christian Bale and Andrew Garfield in 
muscle suits and leotards. 

 The creators of “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire 
Hunter” couldn’t have chosen a less sexy historical 
figure. Even Lincoln himself defamed his 
appearance in his famous rebuttal, “If I were two-
faced, do you think I’d be wearing 
this one?” Not only was Lincoln 
far from being eye candy, his 
wife, Mary Todd, resembled an 
angry Pillsbury Dough Boy in 
a dress. And she was a nut on 
top of that! Of course this movie 
couldn’t portray her as a dumpy, 
raving lunatic. The similarity 
between actress Mary Elizabeth 
Winstead, who plays Mary Todd, 
and the historical figure herself 
end with their first names. It’s like 
comparing Angelina Jolie to Robin 
Williams as “Mrs. Doughtfire.”

 Ludicrous as it sounds, I actually 
enjoyed this film. You can’t go 
wrong with a former president 
flying through the air like a character from 
“Crouching Tiger.” Back when I first wrote this 
piece there was a trend in books and entertainment 
about middle aged women “finding themselves” 
in India. At the time I supposed that Hollywood 
could come out with a movie about Baby Boomers 
flocking to India in search of the fountain of youth. 
I further imagined that an older Thelma and Louise 
would discover that the secret behind the others’ 
rejuvenation is that they’ve turned into vampires 
(or in these days, zombies). In the story I imagined 
Thelma and Louise would then have to learn 
Taekwondo and don body suits to stop the vampires 
(or zombies) and save the world! If you see movie 
ads for either of these ideas, remember --you read 
it here first!


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS:


SENIOR CINEMA - 1st and 3rd Wednesday 

Shown at the Hart Park House Senior Center


October 21st - Bringing Up Baby (1938) 

 

Paleontologist David Husley (Cary Grant) has to make a good impression on 
society matron Mrs. Random (May Robson), who is considering donating one 
million dollars to his museum. On the day before his wedding, Huxley meets 
Mrs. Random’s high-spirited young niece, Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn), a 
madcap adventuress who immediately falls for the straitlaced scientist. The ever-
growing chaos – including a missing dinosaur bone – threatens to swallow him 
whole. Rated G. Start time 1:00pm (run time 1h 42m)

LIFESAVERS PARAMEDIC SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM

The Sierra Madre Lifesavers Paramedic Subscription Program is an official program offered by 
the City of Sierra Madre which offsets the cost of emergency medical responses. The membership 
program is available to residents of Sierra Madre. Your subscription to the program will perform 
similar to a secondary insurance plan, with no out-of-pocket cost to you. Subscriptions are 
$60.00 per individual (July 1 – June 30). For additional information contact The Sierra Madre Fire 
Department 626-355-3611. 


SEASONAL FUN AT THE SENIOR CENTER 

 

Don’t miss our crafts for Halloween! On Thursday, October, 22, join us in cutting out bats, ghosts 
and pumpkins. Great way to decorate your home or it can be used to decorate the senior center. All 
materials provided. The activity will take place from 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Hart Park House 
Senior Center. 

LUNCH AND HOME DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM

Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale daily 
lunch program held at the Hart Park House. Meals are served Monday through Friday at 12:00pm 
(participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45am). Meals are suggested donation of $3.00 for 
seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Reservations for lunch must be made at least 
24 hours in advance by calling 626-355-0256. The Meals-On-Wheels program offers hot meals 
to homebound seniors within the community. Meals are delivered at the door, Monday through 
Friday. For more information on this program, contact the YWCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale 
program at 626-214-9467.

PleaseRSVP626-355-5700245 West Sierra Madre BlvdSierra Madre, CA 91024www.TheKensingtonSierraMadre.comRCFE License198601953Please Join Usfor Songs & Storiesby The Burgans & ChanWednesday, October 28, 2015 from 6:00pm-7:30pmat The Kensington, 245 West Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CAHors d’oeuvres and refreshments servedRSVP to SSciurba@KensingtonSL.com or 626-355-5700YOUR INVITATION TO BE ENTERTAINED AT THE KENSINGTON
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