Uncertainty Breeds Angst for Aging Couple
Dear Abby | July 14th, 2025 | Letter 1 of 2
DEAR ABBY: My spouse and I are retired and on Social Security. We've both worked hard all our lives and are content living a modest retirement. Our house is paid for, and we have little debt. However, we're both experiencing physical and mental decline. I worry about our house. We aren't able to clean and maintain it like we used to because of our physical limitations. We used to have parties, but we're embarrassed to have people over now, which means we're kind of isolated. We also worry that our Social Security and Medicare benefits will be stripped away. We rely on them to live. We both paid into the system since age 15. Shouldn't we expect to reap the benefits of paying into the system all these years? We worry all the time about the future, which seems so grim right now. Even if we can survive the next few years, I'm increasingly concerned about the disintegration of our home. I am not sure where to turn. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. -- WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE.
DEAR WORRIED: If there is a senior center in your community, reach out and ask if there are any services that could assist you in finding reasonably priced help with your house. As to your embarrassment about entertaining friends, that concern may be needless. If you want company, invite friends over for afternoon tea, a picnic or a barbecue outside if the weather permits. Regarding your anxiety about Social Security, you are far from alone in feeling worried. Approximately 70 million American seniors are worrying right along with you. Every senior should be writing to their local politicians, their state representatives, congresspersons and senators reminding them that those benefits were paid for and, if they are interfered with, it could cost them the next election.
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