Seniors

The golden years of retirement should be filled with lazy days of recreation, travel, and spending time with family. However, too often, seniors find their retirement years full of angst and worry because they are ill-prepared for rising health care and nursing home costs.

That is why I have been working hard in Congress to pass reforms aimed at preparing Floridians for retirement and protecting benefits once they are retired.

First, I introduced the Retirement Enhancement Act. For many Americans, a primary focus during their working years is saving for retirement. So why does Congress put so many limits on how much you can save? My bill doubles the amounts you may save in an IRA and 401(k). The Retirement Enhancement Act also encourages new and low-income workers to save by providing additional tax credits to get their nest egg started.

Second, I introduced the Qualified Long-Term Care Fairness Act. Too often in life, with so many other financial responsibilities, people forget to plan for nursing home and assisted living costs. People learn too late in the game that Medicare does not cover these expenditures. When nursing home and home health care can cost upwards of $50,000 annually, entire life savings can be depleted within a few years. The Qualified Long-Term Care Fairness Act provides the incentive people need to purchase long-term care insurance by providing a tax deduction for those who do so before retirement.

Third, I introduced the Social Security Protection Act, because the last thing seniors should worry about is if Congress will take away their Social Security benefits. With passage of my bill, Congress wouldn’t even be able to consider reducing benefits. My bill would stop benefit-cutting proposals dead in their tracks.

Preparing for, enhancing, and protecting the retirements of the Greatest Generation and future retirees – these are my top goals as your elected Representative. I will continue to work to ensure your golden years will be nothing but the best.