For Retirees, There Are Extra Costs to Living in Vermont
[https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/for-retirees-there-are-extra-costs-to-living-in-vermont-42715905](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/for-retirees-there-are-extra-costs-to-living-in-vermont-42715905) Elder law attorney Robin Goeman has some advice for the retirees she counsels on estate planning and asset protection in the Green Mountain State: Leave. "I strongly encourage them, if they have out-of-state children, to consider whether relocating would be a good part of their plan," Goeman said. She cited the cost of living in Vermont and difficulties in securing health care and other forms of assistance. "It's just the urban-rural divide," Goeman said of the latter. "There are not enough supports." [Soaring property taxes](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/property-taxes-could-rise-another-59-percent-next-year-42389129), [a new payroll tax](https://tax.vermont.gov/press-release/june-2024-update-child-care-contribution-payroll-tax-begins-vermont-employers-and#:~:text=%2D%20Beginning%20July%201%2C%202024%2C,of%20the%20tax%20from%20employees), costly housing and big heating bills all contribute to the high cost of living in Vermont. Policymakers know that Vermonters want relief. Three lawmakers have introduced measures aimed at reducing the taxes levied on seniors. While such measures have been considered in past years, advocates hope that this one, with the issue of affordability front and center, is different. Vermont has the third-highest per capita state tax collections in the U.S., with property tax the primary driver, according to Kevin Chu, executive director of the [Vermont Futures Project](https://vtfuturesproject.org/), an economic research organization. Many state leaders consider the cost of living in the Green Mountains to be the biggest impediment to a thriving economy. Older Vermonters often live on fixed incomes, making them particularly sensitive to rising costs. And they're the fastest-growing age group in the state. By 2030, one in three Vermonters will be over 60, according to [Age Strong VT](https://www.healthvermont.gov/wellness/brain-health-dementia/age-strong-vermont-our-roadmap-age-friendly-state), a Vermont Department of Health initiative. These over-60 residents face particular financial challenges. If they do need work that pays well, they often find it more difficult to get a job. If they have to hire people to help with the tasks they used to do themselves, such as shoveling snow, driving to appointments and housecleaning, it's expensive. If they need residential care, the options are limited and also expensive. Older people require more health care services, some of which aren't fully paid for by Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people over 65. And while 70 percent of older adults will need long-term care as they age, nearly half don't know how they will pay for it, according to Age Strong VT. Moving is an option for those with the financial means. John Goodrich, who retired in 2015 as vice president and general manager at Weidmann Electrical Technology in St. Johnsbury, said Vermont's high taxes prompted him to build his retirement home in New Hampshire. "I'm saving a lot of money by being on the other side of the \[Connecticut\] river," Goodrich said. But that solution is not for everyone. He noted that moving is expensive, and people who are low-income don't feel as big an impact from Vermont's taxes. Goodrich still plays tuba in the St. Johnsbury town band, but many Vermonters move farther away, a decision that can have social costs. Florida, which has no income tax, is a common destination. Older Vermonters establish official residency there, enjoy warm winters and head back north for the summers. Longtime Montpelier lobbyist Candy Moot is one of those. She splits her time between homes on Seymour Lake in Morgan and near Naples, Fla. Vermont's cost of living played a role in her decision to move, she said, but so did the fact that her husband had had enough of northern winters. The sociable Moot has plenty of new friends, including a 12-person group that gathers at her home to play the dice game Bunco. But she misses her extensive network in Vermont. "It takes a long time to make an old friend," Moot said. Those who stay in Vermont sometimes find that getting the health and home care services they need can be a challenge. "Vermont is a glorious place to be a retiree when your health is wonderful," Goeman said. "But you're not going to get the same level of care here." Further, seniors who chose to stay do so despite the fact that Vermont is one of just a dozen states that tax Social Security income and retirement benefits, including withdrawals from traditional IRAs and 401k and 403b accounts, both income sources for retirees. New Hampshire's lack of taxes on Social Security and pension benefits is part of what drew Goodrich to move there. "Those things together really make a difference," he said. Health care costs are rising around the country, and last year Vermonters paid [the highest costs](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/health-care-costs-in-vermont-continue-to-soar-42211261#:~:text=The%20monthly%20cost%20of%20a,costs%20on%20to%20their%20workers) nationwide for individual health insurance coverage. Choices for Care, a long-term care program paid for by Medicaid, provides help, but users have to spend down their own money to be eligible. It's difficult to find assisted living or nursing home beds, in part because of staffing shortages — a problem that also makes it difficult to hire home health aides, housekeepers and others who could help the elderly stay at home, attorney Goeman said. She added that the salaries paid for these services tend to be higher in Vermont than in other states. While some local and state programs and grants offer help, they don't fill all the gaps, according to Erin Clark of East Montpelier, a home health nurse who recently started a nonprofit called Generations Vermont. She's looking for a location in central Vermont where she can provide adult day care services. "It's the folks who don't qualify for Medicaid but aren't independently wealthy who don't get their needs addressed," Clark said. "They depend on their children or an ailing spouse. They struggle to try to help each other." Although people are moving out of Vermont, others are moving in. The state had a net gain of 7,500 residents in 2023, according to [a report ](http://www.vermonttreasurer.gov/press-releases/treasurers-office-analysis-shows-vermont-gained-7500-new-residents-other-states-2023)that the state treasurer's office released in December. If the population does grow meaningfully, that will be good news for Vermont, because an increase in residents will help spread the tax burden. Tax department data suggest new arrivals these days tend to be high income and those departing tend to be lower income, Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak said. But he cautioned against drawing conclusions from the data. "It's all very specific to someone's experience and pocketbook issues," Pieciak said. "Someone who is coming from a state with high property taxes and high insurance costs might say, 'This looks like a good deal for me. I'm willing to pay the premium \[to live here\].'" Vermont officials and advocates have taken a few steps to mitigate costs for seniors, and low-income Vermonters of all ages already get a break on their property taxes. In recent years, lawmakers have altered a partial income tax exemption on Social Security benefits so that the benefits aren't taxed for individuals who make $50,000 or less and joint filers making $65,000 or less. Also exempt: the first $10,000 in military retirement pay for income-eligible service members. Rep. Bill Canfield (R-Fair Haven) estimates he's introduced a tax break on veterans' pensions eight times since he took office in 2005. This year, [he's proposing ](https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.43)to eliminate the tax on military benefits entirely, a move that he estimates would cost the state about $3.2 million annually. Sen. Brian Collamore (R-Rutland) has introduced a similar measure. Canfield thinks his bill, which has 74 cosigners, would attract younger veterans to Vermont. "They are probably in their forties, they maybe still have children in school and would contribute to their communities," said Canfield, who served four years in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam era. He added that he hopes the bill will gain more support from his Statehouse colleagues this year. "It's a different atmosphere in this building after the election, but I have no guarantees," he said. Another bill would phase in a full exemption of Social Security benefits over the course of eight years. Lead sponsor Rep. Daniel Noyes (D-Wolcott) said his constituents often ask him to tackle the Social Security tax, and he's tried in previous sessions. Many people are trying to help seniors age at home to save money and remain in a community they know. Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone (D/P-Burlington), an occupational therapist who works with the hospital discharge planning team at the University of Vermont Medical Center, has introduced [legislation](https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.8) that would provide seniors with a tax credit for installing things such as wheelchair ramps or shower bars, vital amenities not covered under most insurance or Medicare. Without those supports, she said, people who could be released from the hospital wind up staying extra days. Stone is frustrated that state leaders have not done more to ease the transition from hospital to home. "It's ridiculous," she said. "Even for people who have had a stroke and don't have the mobility to walk up and down the stairs safely, they have to pay for it out of pocket. Or we're calling the neighbors to see if they can cobble together enough money to get plywood for a ramp." Pieciak, too, wants to help Vermonters better plan for their retirements. In December, he announced a new initiative, [Vermont Saves](https://www.vermonttreasurer.gov/vermont-saves), that offers a retirement plan for Vermonters whose employers don't do so. The program, which began in December, requires employers with five or more employees to sign up by the end of February. Their employees will be automatically enrolled in a Roth IRA and can choose to make regular contributions. Pieciak considers the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program to be one of the most important ways that Vermont helps seniors. HomeShare Vermont, a nonprofit organization that finds roommates for people who have homes in northwestern and central Vermont, is another. "If individuals are able to downsize in their communities, then hopefully they pay less property taxes, less cost for maintenance, and that opens up a home that a young family can move into," Pieciak said. Noyes, the Wolcott state representative, holds a weekly Senior Caucus with Rep. Theresa Wood (D-Waterbury) during the legislative session and said he plans to introduce a bill this year that would create a commission to implement the state Department of Health's Age Strong VT plan, a 10-year blueprint aimed at improving life for seniors. He envisions a program that would study affordability, transportation, health services and other needs and advise the legislature. "It's one entity to make sure older Vermonters are not forgotten when we're implementing policy," Noyes said.Get ready to meet the new Samsung Galaxy S series, your true AI companion. Save this post or visit u/Samsung_Mobile at 10am PST.
Get ready to meet the new Samsung Galaxy S series, your true AI companion. Save this post or visit u/Samsung_Mobile at 10am PST.
LGTM Stack and Prometheus?
Hello all, Has anyone deployed the LGTM stack with Prometheus? I've installed this Helm [https://github.com/grafana/helm-charts/tree/main/charts/lgtm-distributed](https://github.com/grafana/helm-charts/tree/main/charts/lgtm-distributed) which sets Loki, Grafana, Tempo and Mimir. Then I've installed Prometheus [https://github.com/prometheus-community/helm-charts/blob/main/charts/prometheus](https://github.com/prometheus-community/helm-charts/blob/main/charts/prometheus) With this only configuration: server: remoteWrite: - url: http://playground-lgtm-mimir-nginx.playground-observability.svc.cluster.local:80/api/v1/push So presumably Prometheus should be sending all data received to Mimir's nginx. Is this the correct way? Am I missing something else? I'm asking because I don't manage to see data in Grafana. Thank you in advance and regards,
Cotton crinkle books
My 5 month old loves crinkle toys, specifically crinkle books. He has several that family member have bought for him but they’re all polyester. He is teething so he’s shoving everything in his mouth and sucking on it. I hate thinking about him just sucking on polyester all the time. Does anyone know of any cotton crinkle books? I’ve seen the ones from Wee Gallery and am considering purchasing, but he prefers colorful toys to high contrast and am wondering if there are any other options. I have also checked out the crinkle toys from Apple Park but I think he’d prefer a book because he likes turning the pages! Thank you!AstroBot Funny Commentary
https://www.youtube.com/live/YbS9ziMMEIg?si=RHkRqDJezlaYzu0w be apart of my journey reaching 300 subs!AIO for calling my best friends fake and blocking them?
I wanna get straight into it because my head hurts and im trying to figure out whether im actually the bad person here so i need someone to help me with that. So i have friend who i’ll be calling S and a friend ill be calling M. So ive been friends with S and M for about a year now and i used to consider S my best friend. And recently she has been pushing me to hang out with her boy best friend who ill be calling A. Now i dont like A, he’s a year older then me and runs him mouth to much and I’ve made my discomfort around him very clear to S, but S? She deosnt give a shit about boundaries. A few days later she forces me to come sit with them and i do, but i just dont engage with them i just grabbed my book and read. And that bothered S apparently so she grabbed me by my ankles and makes me fall on the floor and thats not even the beginning of it. I got mad, she apologised and i was like okey whatever. Then this ballon looking ass grown man asks me the most random question ever. He said ‘if you get married do you wanna have children?’ And my jaw was literally on the floor but i try to play it cool and just go ‘nah i dont like children’ and to that he replies with ‘oh even if you did have children they would probably be ugly’ so naturally i get mad. Other things that happened include him making fun of my sheo size. I get up and leave and for the next few hours S ignores me so i text her how uncomfortable i felt near that balloon, and she just calls me dramatic and sends me screenshots and texts of him apologising. So i just said fine whatever just Forget it. But she deosnt and ignores me as if im in the wrong. The next day both her and M are ignoring me, so then i text M and im like hey why are you ignoring me? And she hits me with oh no you were ignoring me so one thing lead to another and she starts insulting me and using things that i cried while telling her about against me, for example how much bullying effected me. So then i just blocked both her and S. Am i in the wrong?250122 LE SSERAFIM's "SMART" nominated for the Favorite KPOP Dance Challenge at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
The art of a divebomb
DOWN THE INSIDE. The divebomb is an art of motor racing—a moment of sheer bravery, split-second decision-making, and raw skill. But what are the factors that make these overtakes so fascinating to watch? Is it the element of risk, where a driver pushes the limits of control and commitment? Riccardo's send into T1 Monza is a strong demonstration of a divebomb, Valteri's T1 Hungary in the wets maybe not so much. I aim to create a short presentation demonstrating that F1 is exciting, to a group of non-watchers, who believe that driving around in circles is all the sport is. ~~sometimes true~~Now paging Jeremy Corbell…
First of all, I harbor absolutely no animosity toward Jeremy Corbell. I’m squarely on the middle of the fence in making my own determination as to whether I believe him to be a grifter or credible insider with a source of information he dribbles over us like breadcrumbs. But, I have to say, his immediate silence following the News Nation expose is troubling. I hope he’s okay. One of the last things we heard about Jeremy Corbell was news that his life was in immediate danger, with a “credible” threat made against his person, as was verified by Louis Elizondo. Come to think of it, we may also need to page Lue, as he has also gone MIA. The last thing we heard from him was that he was going to make a trek to the Vatican to help ease the transition between an alien-less world and one brimming with 60 species of ET. But, back to Jeremy Corbell. Jeremy, before you disappeared from the interwebs, you made some pretty alarming claims about a big lie that was imminently being perpetrated by the deep state; one that we would be force-fed an untruth about a starship or some such heading toward Earth, due to arrive in 2027 (or was it 2028? I get all of these dates mixed up). Yo, we’re here waiting with bated breath. What’s up with that? It’s been almost a week. Care to elaborate? It’s not like you to stay out of the limelight like this. You also said a week ago that a new whistleblower’s story was game-changing. You’ll have to forgive me for not seeing the forest for the trees, but there are no news outlets, short of one or two poking the ribs of this community, reporting on this story. While, as a person who is up-to-speed on ufology, I do find the testimony of Barnett to be interesting and I have no desire to attack the man’s credibility, I’m underwhelmed by the game-changiness of it all. Were you perhaps referring to a different or upcoming whistleblower. This has been a crazy week. I’d caution you, however, when you and George get together to tape the next episode of Weaponized, it would probably be best not to knock on this sub too much for having wild and crazy expectations and speculation based on the weird tantrum over Immaculate Constellation and the teasers you laid out before all of this went down. To use your vernacular, it was kinda cray-cray. If your life was really in imminent danger, I truly do hope you’re okay.
That moment when work just... works. It’s time to give your team a platform they’ll actually love—intuitive, easy to use, built to streamline work and achieve goals faster.
That moment when work just... works. It’s time to give your team a platform they’ll actually love—intuitive, easy to use, built to streamline work and achieve goals faster.
It was only really cold for 2 days. Is it going to get colder?
I moved here from SoCal for the cold weather. And it only got really cold for 2 days. Is that it? Will it get colder? I heard posting on Reddit asking about the weather was pretty much a guarantee that it will get worse so trying that method 😅Some mistakes will haunt you throughout your life
So basically in my jee attempt mene shortest distance wala sawal galat kar diya wo sawal jo koi banda nind me bhi shi kardega. Even after seeing today's paper's shortest distance question muje chul ayi aur mene kar diya. It still haunts me how I made blunders and ruined my prep, calculation blunders in chemistry, This blunder in maths, I even blundered one question in physics of logic gates. This really hurts to the core how can I make such mistake in the biggest exam of my life.Crying during naps
Anyone else baby scream cry between sleep cycles during naps? I feel so terrible but usually if I leave him for 10/15 minutes.. he’ll put himself back to sleep for another cycle or two. He’s almost 9 months old.
IVA advice England regarding redundancy
Hi was wandering if anyone could offer advice. I’m currently in an IVA, roughly 3 years into. I’ve just this week been made redundant from my employer (employed for 5 years) (England) , of which I informed the IVA company. My understanding of this was that I’d keep upto 6months pay if I remained 6 months unemployed. Anyways, my pay is nowhere near that as you’d tell from my previous employment service. I’m looking to start a new job soon but awaiting a DBS check which in turn is probably going to be 6-8weeks which my payoff would probably spread to. however the IVA have said my redundancy is a windfall and I must pay them the full amount immediately, this in turn would have me unable to pay rent and bill for the next 2 months. Can anyone advise?
"> with android jones and singer on the vizzies 🤯
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is Monday
This event is in Seattle, and this is posted by Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle.
I just thought it may be a good event to honor the memories of those who passed by the hands of those who saluted the way Elon did at the inauguration. I thought you’d all like to see this.