it was under communist control in the past.
I’m not saying the list reflects political reality at this point- its possible that it reflect un updated past political alliances/ beliefs at the US State dept.
Latvia; Estonia, Poland, etc. did not make the list… not Soviet long enough?
@BunsenBurner, Latvia, Estonia and Poland are all in the EU now. As for Ukraine, as S2 says, “it’s complicated.” Back to the main topic!
Except Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam, the listed countries used to be part of the USSR. However, some former USSR countries are not on that list, like Armenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Russia.
My point precisely - there is no rhyme or reason to that list. So there goes my retirement villa and winery in Moldova. 
Back to the discussion.
Anyone still betting on the stock market in the near term?
Hey, what’s the best site to help you figure out when to take your social security again? I always forget!!
Another question on social security retirement age. If your full retirement age is 66 and 6 months but you stop working before that (say age 66) but don’t start taking your social security benefits until age 70, how do you calculate your benefits. How much are they reduced by?
@busdriver11
@akmom124
check the SSA website.
“Another question on social security retirement age. If your full retirement age is 66 and 6 months but you stop working before that (say age 66) but don’t start taking your social security benefits until age 70, how do you calculate your benefits. How much are they reduced by?”
They take into account 35 best earning years (adjusted for inflation). If you have worked for 35 years and your best earning years were in the past then I would guess that the amount will not be reduced. If you do not have 35 years of employment by the time you stop working or your best earnings years are now then then the final amount will be reduced. (If the worst earning years were still above the maximum SS income then it does not matter).
I lived in Azerbaijan for 7 years, Kazakhstan for two. Wife is from Azerbaijan. Countries certainly have issues but I had no problem having bank accounts there and transferring money in and out.
The US tries quite hard to maintain very good ties with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan for various reasons. Not looking to retire there but very nice places to visit and spend time in…the food is quite nice too.
Ukraine is definitely not anti Russian. Parts of the Ukraine are for sure. Large portions of the border regions are ethnically Russian and very much pro-Moscow.
Like mentioned earlier. It’s very complicated.
I like this one that’s often mentioned on bogleheads. It’s quick and clear. I suggest selecting “advanced options”: https://opensocialsecurity.com/
^^agreed. OpenSS is excellent.
This was an interesting read, Money Talks News
Here’s how much American retirees spend in a year
Karla Bowsher 2 days ago
Our state will now have a new payroll tax to fund a LTC benefit that can help seniors age in place.
It’s interesting, but I can’t see how that ends well, unless the criteria are so strict that almost no one can get benefits.
With a 0.58% tax and a $36,500 benefit, you will need 100-ish workers for every person collecting benefits. SS started this way, and look at it now.
And why a payroll tax and eligibility system? Don’t SAHMs or people who can’t work need this benefit as well?
This seems more like a LT disability program than a LTC program, as LTC is usually required beyond working years, i.e., ^65+. Thus, if they stop working at 60 and need LTC at 71, they are SOL.
Andy yes, women need LTC longer than men, so SAHM’s, are really SOL.
What a joke. But since it will cost millions, I guess it’s not a laughing matter.
https://www.morningstar.com/articles/879494/75-mustknow-statistics-about-longterm-care-2018-ed.html
According to the article, if you pay the payroll tax for three years, you are eligible for benefits. There was no detail on how much you had to earn in those three years. It was called “insurance”, I think it is intended to work just like SS except it pays for some in-home LTC or some things that allow you to age in your home rather than a nursing home, if you qualify. IIRC most LTC insurance requires that you need help with 2 daily activities, 3 might be a really high burden to meet and still be able to stay in your house.
It is a LTC insurance benefit of sorts, of course, and the eligibility criteria is there to prevent recent migrants from benefiting. And as far as stay at home spouses… Wasn’t there a talk here in this thread that unless you pay, you don’t get to play?
NRE - the LTC policy offered at work required 3. I passed. Dunno about other policies.