TERRE HAUTE —
You probably think of July 4 as Independence Day. Did you know that it is also National Country Music Day?
A new holiday? Not by any means. In fact, you might even say it’s been around forever and ever, Amen. It was in the 1950s that the Country Music Deejay Association decided to start the holiday. It’s been celebrated every year since.
Social Security’s been around nearly as long as country music — since the 1930s. Social Security was signed into law during the same depression era that found Gene Autry singing “Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle.” Since its dustbowl beginnings, Social Security has helped many silver-haired daddies (and mammas who let their babies grow up to be cowboys) get back in the saddle again.
By helping many older Americans stay out of poverty, Social Security is use to being told “I will always love you” and that “you were always on my mind.” Not to mention, “If you’ve got the money, honey, I’ve got the time.”
These days, retirees live longer than ever. Today’s average 65-year old can expect to live another 20 years. About 55 million Americans will receive $760 billion in Social Security benefits this year; the average monthly benefit for a retired worker in 2012 is $1,229.
But let’s give them something to talk about: Social Security is more than retirement. The agency could cry, “People who say ‘Social Security Retirement’ never even called me by my name.” That’s because Social Security also pays disability and survivors benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income, or SSI.
Whether you’re at the start of your career, working 9 to 5, or well into mid-career, you should give some thought to planning your future retirement. To help you plan, visit our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. It’ll help you determine how much you need to save to harvest a comfortable retirement.
Are you at the end of a career? Ready to take this job and shove it? There’s no reason to walk the line to your local Social Security office, even if you are king of the road. The easiest way to apply for retirement benefits is online, at www.socialsecurity.gov. Being away from your friends at work may make you so lonesome you could cry, but at least you can count on a monthly Social Security payment. They may even begin to sing about the day of the month “when our old-age pension check comes to our door.” Or, in most cases, by direct deposit to your bank account.
Here’s a word of advice for Lucille and Ruby. You may have picked a fine time to take your love to town, but if you were married for 10 years or more, and are not remarried, you may qualify for Social Security benefits based on your ex’s work history — whether your exes live in Texas or anywhere else.
NOTE: It may seem crazy, but there are 20 country song titles or lyrics in this column (including the one in this sentence). Can you circle all of them? Were you able to find all 20 song references? Here’s an easier challenge: Find everything you need related to Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Brian L. Hewitt, District Manager, Social Security Administration, 222 Cherry St., Terre Haute.
Business
Social Security goes country on the Fourth
- Business
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Naysayers should treat good news as good news
I like to complain as much as anybody else. In truth, I may do more than my share of finding fault and wagging a finger in warning. Nonetheless, I’m tired of commentators (including many economists) who find nothing good and only the darkest clouds for the past few months.
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All mothers appreciate extra help
Think of all the times and ways that your mom has helped you over the years — when you were a child, and after you became an adult. With Mother’s Day upon us, now is a good time to pay mom back with a little Extra Help — with her Medicare prescription drug costs.
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Upcoming meetings
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce is hosting a health care reform seminar for businesses from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Old National Insurance at 925 Wabash Ave., suite 200.
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Indiana ranked best place to do business in Midwest
Indiana was ranked as the best place to do business in the Midwest and the fifth best nationwide in a survey of more than 500 chief executives by Chief Executive magazine.
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First Farmers rated among top 100 community banks
First Farmers Bank & Trust of Converse was named one of the 100 top-performing community banks for 2012 by SNL Financial.
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Newsmakers: May 12, 2013
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve has recognized John Thompson, president of Thompson Thrift Construction, and Paul Thrift, president of Thompson Thrift Development, as “Patriotic Employers.”
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On the Move: May 12, 2013
Stacey Joseph, a realtor in Terre Haute, has earned the Certified Residential Specialist designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.
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Chamber lauds four with Business Recognition Awards
Congratulations to our Business Recognition Awards winners! Our Awards Luncheon at the Meadows Banquet and Conference Center was a great event to wrap up Business Recognition Week, sponsored by Union Hospital. At the Luncheon we recognized four local businesses as the 2012 Business Recognition Award winners:
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ISU students provide detailed grocery analysis
As the National Cooperative Grocers Association makes business decisions in the coming years, the organization likely will take into account an analysis of some of its competitors – about 4,000 of them.
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Construction firm holding grand opening in Marshall on Friday
Construction, H&H LLC is holding a grand opening and Marshall Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday at 812 N. Second St. in Marshall, Ill.
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AP Source: Subaru to expand Indiana plant
Subaru plans to expand its Indiana factory and add workers to build the Impreza small car in 2016, a person briefed on the matter says.
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Transit proposals can prove to be game changers
After baseball, my favorite TV watching is the government channel. Here I can see the local government in action or local government inaction.
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On the Move: May 5, 2013
Melissa Schollaert, RDH, HHP, has been added as a counselor of holistic health and nutrition at The Maple Center for Integrative Health.
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ISU set to offer financial planning program in 2014
When Indiana State University junior Jennifer Groth began scheduling classes last semester, she planned them out by thinking of an academic program the university does not yet offer. Groth will be one of the inaugural students in the financial planning program that ISU will begin to offer in spring 2014.
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Newsmaker: May 5, 2013
Gov. Mike Pence announced the appointment of Jessica Robertson to commissioner of the Indiana Department of Administration, a role she will begin on Wednesday.
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U.S. Postal Service opens village office in Worthington
The U.S. Postal Service officially opened the 40th Village Post Office in the Greater Indiana District on Monday in Worthington.
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How consistent is your business?
There are six areas in which consistency is critical in the majority of companies. Too often, business owners feel as they are “chasing down” rather than “leading it along.” If you can get a high level of consistency with your standards and practices, then your company will benefit.
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Good time to try Spanish online service
Cinco de Mayo is May 5 — a time to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride. Why not join the celebration by visiting Social Security’s Spanish website, where you’ll find a number of useful services and a wealth of information in Spanish.
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First Financial’s net income up 3 percent
First Financial Corp. has announced results for its quarter that ended March 31. The Corp.’s net income increased 3.4 percent to $7.7 million, compared to $7.4 million for the same period of 2012.
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Curtain goes up on new theater owner
The Indiana Theatre in downtown Terre Haute is under new ownership with a new purpose.
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Indiana Theatre SOLD!
The Indiana Theatre at 683 Ohio St. is sold.
Rob Lundstrom, who owns the Copper Bar and Louise’s, took possession of the historic downtown theatre on April 25. -
Higher education completion rates questioned
Spring is really here. Baseball is being played, the Cubs are already tragic and Faye of the Forest reappeared on the back deck. She was parked on the railing as I sat down to write this column.
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Vectren Corp. awards $2.3 million in grants
Vectren Corp. has announced that it awarded more than $2.3 million in 2012 through the Vectren Foundation and corporate contributions.
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Hard work, good attitude produces success
Like clockwork, Indiana State University graduate Joe Evelo regularly provides monthly updates to the first client he signed up when he started his financial investment career more than 35 years ago.
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On the move: April 28, 2013
Old National Bank has promoted Howard Mills to vice president, mortgage loan originator.
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Newsmakers: April 28, 2013
Lenise Kohlway of Spencer was presented with the WorkOne Achievement Award last week for overcoming several employment barriers and pursuing a better life for herself.
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Ivy Tech offers free business counseling
The Ivy Tech Business and Entrepreneurial Services Center and the Terre Haute chapter of SCORE are offering free, confidential business counseling and low-cost high-impact training workshops to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners.
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Social Security: Try this word puzzle challenge
In 1938 — only a couple of years after Social Security was signed into law — a depression-era, unemployed architect named Alfred Mosher Butts studied the front page of The New York Times to figure out how often each of the 26 letters was used. The result was a game he called Criss Cross Words, renamed 10 years later as Scrabble. In honor of Scrabble’s 75th anniversary, we’d like to challenge you to a word puzzle.
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Knox/Crawford United Way seeks executive director
The United Way of Knox County, Ind., and Crawford County, Ill., is in search of a new executive director.
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Rockville Correctional Facility wins Champion Award
The Rockville Correctional Facility was recognized as a Champion Award recipient at the Indiana State Employee Community Campaign awards ceremony in Indianapolis.
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