Circuit Breaker Tax break for Seniors. If you are collecting a state or federal pension, the pension is factored in for income to be eligible for this benefit.

You can file for this benefit even if you do not pay any state tax or have any withdrawn for you in a tax year. You must however file the tax form to get the benefit.

If you are learning about this for the first time you can file for it up to three previous years in back taxes depending what time in the calendar year you file.

For complete information on this benefit go to the Mass. Dept. of Revenue site.

Planning of moving out of state? Check on the tax structure of the state to which you are planning on moving before you make the move.  This is important for seniors who live on a fixed income. You can get this information at the Ritirement Living Information Center.

Startling statistic. In fiscal year 2005, 11,503 elder abuse reports were received and there were 3,713 newly confirmed cases of elder abuse.  These numbers represent increases of over 16% for both categories when compared to fiscal year 2004 numbers.  The average monthly Protective Services caseload, which includes new cases and previously opened cases, increased by 13.5% in fiscal year 2005, from 2,523 to 2,864 cases per month. For more information on this issue: Go to the Elder Affairs site.  

Senior citizens  represent 12 per cent of the U.S. population, but are 35 per cent of all fraud  victims.  Learn why this is the case at
US Boomers.

Senior fraud is a real concern to law enforcement agencies including the FBI Look at a special website they have constructed to alert seniors on this issue.

The United States Postal Service also offers warnings to seniors on this matter.

Caregiving, from either the provider or receiver viewpoint is an important  senior issue.  Learn more on this issue at this site. Caregiver.com.