Categories
news

How to Turn $6,000 Into a $150,000 Retirement Bonus

With an average retirement balance of just $202,000, baby boomers could find themselves pinched for retirement income, according to a new survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. Using the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals, that balance would produce $8,080 in taxable annual withdrawals, or about $670 a month.

With inflation at 8.5% as of the end of July, that kind of money may not stretch very far for retirees. But there’s a counterintuitive trick in which just $6,000 can help retires preserve $150,000. Here’s how it works.

Adding a part-time job of just 13 hours a week at the current federal minimum wage (with a four weeks off per year) would allow a retiree to bring in $125 a week, or $6,000 year. If that doesn’t sound like much, do the math and divide by 4%. That’s right – the added $6,000 of annual income equals a 4% withdrawal from $150,000 of invested assets.

The result is that just a few hours of not particularly high-paying work would mean that a retiree with $202,000 in investments could live like someone with a $352,000 portfolio – the equivalent of a 74% increase in his retirement nest egg.

That could be a big relief for boomers making their retirement plans. The Transamerica survey found that 34% of boomers reported that their finances took a hit during the pandemic, and 36% said that building up their emergency savings is their financial priority now. The median emergency fund among boomers was $10,000, the report found. Typically, financial experts recommend keeping at least three months’ worth of living expenses on hand, although a six- to eight-month cash cushion is better.

The baby boom generation totals 71.6 million men and women born between 1946 and 1964. The oldest boomers hit their full retirement age in 2012, while the youngest workers in the cohort won’t reach their full retirement age of 67 until 2031.

Boomers also face concerns about health care risk and longevity risk. The latest Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate finds that the average 65-year-old retired couple today could need $315,000 – after taxes – to cover just their healthcare expenses during a retirement of about 20 years. Improving healthcare means that retirees can expect to live longer, too, adding more financial pressure to make sure they don’t outlive their retirement savings. Today’s workers expect to live a median of 88 years, the survey found, but 9% of baby boomers said they expect to make to 100 years old.

The idea of working in retirement is already well-established with boomers, with 47% telling the survey that they plan to work in retirement. Earning extra income also is likely to be a priority for the 34% of the post-war generation who reported that they expect Social Security to be their primary source of retirement income.

With a tight labor market – unemployment was a mere 3.6% during July – retirees looking to pick up a job should find employers waiting with open arms. Employers are much more open to hiring older workers than in the past, and an increasing number of large companies are creating “returnships” for older workers who want to transition to a new field or type of job. And unretiring — where retires decide to reenter the workforce after a year — is a notable trend, with about 3.2% of retirees doing so in 2022, according to the job placement site Indeed.

Bottom line

Returning to the workforce, even part time, can pay off in a big way for retirees. Retirees are ill-prepared to sustain their nest-egg for a lengthy retirement, but adding a part-time job of just 13 hours a week at the current federal minimum wage (with a four weeks off per year) would earn them $6,000 annually. And that’s not something to sneeze at: added $6,000 of annual income equals a 4% withdrawal from $150,000 of invested assets, which the retiree is able to protect and preserve.

Tips for Retirees

A financial advisor can help you find creative ways to enjoy your retirement and potentially even reduce the amount of money you draw down from your nest egg each year. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Use SmartAsset’s free retirement calculator to get a good first estimate of how much money you’ll need to retire.

Categories
news

Subway conductor slashed in neck in Brooklyn amid uptick in transit violence

A subway conductor was taken to a hospital after being slashed in the neck in an apparently random Brooklyn attack today, the latest in a series of violent incidents plaguing the transit system in recent weeks, authorities say.

Police swarmed the Rockaway Avenue subway station, on the C line, after getting a 911 call about the 3:40 a.m. attack. Investigators say he was on the job at the time, performing his duties on a southbound C train. He stuck his head out of the conductor’s cab, and got slashed by an unknown individual, authorities say.

The slasher ran off.

The conductor was treated for his injuries at the hospital and later released. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information on the attack is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

The slashing comes on the heels of new orange stanchions debuted this week to protect the front cabs amid a spike in violence that has seen three homicides in recent weeks. Over the weekend, a woman was followed off a train by a man police say tried to rape her in the subway station. He’s still on the loose.

MTA officials, who have condemned the violence, are expected to hold a news briefing on the latest incident later Thursday. Earlier, they couldn’t say whether a severe slowdown on the A and C lines over train crew availability was related.

Recent NYPD data paints a concerning picture, with 2023 seeing the highest number of subway assaults since at least 1996. Over that year, there were 570 assaults, marking a slight increase from the previous year and averaging about 1.5 incidents daily.

But NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said “progress” is being made. An infusion of 1,000 more officers into the subway system — done in a direct response to a January crime spike — led to a 17% reduction in crime in February (though for the year, it’s still up 13% compared to 2023), Kemper said.

He went on to call the high-profile killings “isolated incidents.”

Categories
news

Advantages of early retirement from work before the official retirement age

Young woman sunbathing in the pool at sunset

Many people think that early retirement from work creates a state of boredom, routine, and perhaps depression, but what many do not know is that many advantages can be obtained and benefited from early retirement from work, and these are the most prominent advantages from the point of view of people who retired from work at the age of forty or fifty. .

Advantages of early retirement from work

1-Looking forward to starting the week

All employees look forward to the end of the week to enjoy a day off and rest, but those who worked for a long time and retired early from work will not look forward to the end of the week, but rather to its beginning, as the beginning of the week means starting a new week of fun, activity, and vitality, going to the gym, and not facing the problems that accumulate in the workplace. In the middle of the week, time can be organized according to the person’s desire and not according to the work conditions imposed on him.

2-The person realizes the extent of pressure and tension and gets rid of them

The person does not realize the amount of tension and pressure that he suffers from throughout his work period. He has become accustomed to it, but when he retires, he sees the picture more clearly, and sees the amount of pressure that he has always endured, but the early retirement reward should be worth taking this step, so that the person does not replace the pressure Working with another type of pressure is physical pressure

3-The person feels free

Many people plan to obtain early retirement not only for the money, but in order to establish their own business and work in it according to their own principles, rules, conditions and arrangements. Private work includes freedom and comfort at the same time.

4-Health improvement

One of the most important advantages of early retirement is the improvement of a person’s health, as a person neglects his health due to his involvement in the whirlpool of work, home, and family, and his health becomes the last thing he thinks about. Therefore, when a person leaves work, he begins to pay attention to his health, exercise, lose excess weight, and get rid of oils. And cholesterol, regulating sleep and enjoying the healthy life that I have always missed.

5-Increase savings

One of the fears that a person faces before making the decision to retire early is the end of his money and savings and his inability to manage his basic needs. However, if the person plans the matter well, he will start a special project, participate in one of the successful projects, or deposit his money in a bank and increase his savings on an annual basis.

6-The person’s social life improves

Many people fear social isolation and losing friends after retirement, but this is not true, as the person becomes friendly, social, and able to attend celebrations and events more than in the past, simply because he now has time that did not exist before, and he can even form new relationships during that period. .

7-The person becomes able to take tourist tours

A person has some money to take wonderful tourist tours, and he can also choose the cheapest trips during times other than peak times, thus his life becomes more enjoyable and relaxing than before.

8-The person discovers the beauty and simplicity of things

After early retirement, a person realizes the true beauty of things, which lies in simplicity, avoiding complexity, keeping necessary items and removing other unnecessary items. The fewer items in the home, the more comfortable it is.

9- The person turns into a morning being

Before retirement, a person would spend a large part of the night completing social visits, household chores, and other things that he could not accomplish while at work, but after retirement, the person has a full day that he can plan however he wants, as he wakes up early, arranges his work schedule, and ends his day in the evening, and he will not He needs to spend most of the night finishing his backlog.

10- Fear of wasting time

There are many fears facing a person who plans to retire early. The person often thinks that he will feel guilty for taking the step of early retirement and doing other things that bring happiness to himself, but that is not true. Many people who retired early before the official retirement age are well aware of the importance of The value of time is therefore they plan how to spend this time very carefully.

Categories
news

Jamtara train accident, 2 dead as train runs over commuters

At least two persons were killed after a train run over them in Jharkhand’s Jamtara district on the evening, police said. Officials explained that some passengers got off a train (from the wrong side) and were run over by another local train. The incident happened at Kalajharia railway station in Jamtara today . Kaushik Mitra, CPRO, Eastern Railway, said a three-member JAG committee has been formed to enquire about the issue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives due to mishap in Jamtara, Jharkhand.

The Prime Minister’s Office said in a X post: “Pained by the mishap in Jamtara, Jharkhand. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condoled the death of victims in the Jharkhand train accident and urged the railway authorities to overhaul the systems “to prevent such mishaps”.

Taking to her social media handle on X, Banerjee wrote: “Saddened to note of yet another rail accident case involving deaths and injuries of several persons. Jamtara in Jharkhand, near our border, is the site of this latest tragedy. We express solidarity with our neighbour, express condolences for the victim families, and urge the railway authorities again to overhaul the systems for preventing such mishaps again and again.”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Jharkhand train accident and sought an ‘impartial’ investigation into the incident to hold those liable for safety violations.

Taking to his social media handle, Kharge posted on X, “The train accident that took place in Jamtara, Jharkhand, is extremely heartbreaking. The news of the loss of many lives is extremely sad. Our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The railways and government administrations should do immediate relief work, and Congress workers should provide all possible help,” read the post.

The Congress leader further stated in the post, “The Railway Ministry should take responsibility for this tragic accident and conduct an impartial investigation so that those responsible for safety lapses are held accountable.”

Categories
news

Cause of death determined for rider killed in fight with trio on Bronx subway train

Police now know what led to the death of a man who was killed during a fight with three people while riding the subway in the Bronx.

The 45-year-old victim, identified as 45-year-old William Alvarez of the Bronx, died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the city’s medical examiner, which determined the manner of death to be a homicide.

But questions still remain regarding the shooting death aboard the D train just before 5 a.m. Friday, such as a motive or what sparked the fight. Police have arrested three people — 24-year-old Justin Herde, 38-year-old Betty Cotto and 42-year-old Alfredo Trinidad — in connection with Alvarez’s killing.

Charges against the three were not clear, nor was the relationship between them. It didn’t appear they had any prior connection to the victim. Attorney information for the trio was not immediately available.

A senior law enforcement official said Trinidad had a gun on him when was arrested Sunday night at an apartment on Villa Avenue with his girlfriend and her brother.

According to the NYPD, Alvarez was riding the southbound D train when the trio boarded at Fordham Road. One of them sat next to Alvarez. An argument ensued.

The disagreement soon turned physical, and the other two suspects joined in to make it a three-on-one fight, according to NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper. The train pulled into the next station, the 182nd-183rd streets stop, and the three suspects ran off.

The violence was the latest in a series of subway incidents. On Feb. 12, six people were shot on the platform at the Mt. Eden Avenue subway station in the Bronx as teenagers exchanged gunfire. A 35-year-old was killed in the shooting.

Recent NYPD data paints a concerning picture, with 2023 seeing the highest number of subway assaults since at least 1996. Over that year, there were 570 assaults, marking a slight increase from the previous year and averaging about 1.5 incidents daily.

But Kemper said there is “progress” being made. An infusion of 1,000 more officers into the subway system — which was done in a direct response to a January crime spike — has led to a 17% reduction in crime in February (though for the year, still up 13% compared to 2023). He went on to call the high-profile killings “isolated incidents” but didn’t share further details.

“We are looking forward to keeping this momentum moving forward,” he said. “Out cops are out there, they are visible and are under immense pressure. They do a very challenging job.”

Kemper and transit officials pinned the blame on the same thing for fueling the rise: recidivist criminals who are repeat offenders. MTA President Richard Davey said Monday there had been seven assaults against transit workers in 2024, for which four suspects have been arrested.

Among the suspects, they have a combined 50 prior arrests.

“My plea to the justice system: Make sure appropriate justice is delivered,” said Davey. “Fifty strikes seems like a lot of godd—ed strikes.”

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said prosecutors have rarely used a new tool available for those who attack transit workers: Banning them from using mass transit in the city.

Categories
news

Possible drowning of a landscaper in Cape Coral

A landscaper fell into a Cape Coral canal and was taken to the hospital in cardiac arrest in the afternoon, according to the Cape Coral Fire Department.

The man was pulled out of the water by firefighters near SW 37th Terrace off Surfside Boulevard.

The man was reportedly underwater for nearly 20 minutes, according to a family member.

NBC2 spoke to the brother of the victim, and he said an ambulance took the victim to the hospital, and they don’t know whether he will survive.

The man is a father of two.

NBC2 is at the scene and will update the story as more details become available.

Categories
news

Honda Civic runs red light, crashes into Clint school bus

A Honda Civic that ran a red light in far east El Paso crashed into a bus belonging to Clint Independent School District., foxs 14 said

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a Honda Civic ran a red light at the intersection of Montana Ave. and Krag Street and crashed into a bus belonging to Clint Independent School District, Fox report said

According to EPCSO, the bus was transporting children, however, no injuries were reported to the children or the bus driver.

The driver of the Honda Civic was transported with minor injuries, EPCSO said.

Categories
news

Person Struck, Killed By Train Near Tuxedo Station

A person was killed by being struck by a train in Orange County, news12 said today

According to a spokesperson for the MTA, a person who was not authorized to be on the tracks east of the Tuxedo Station was struck and killed shortly after 2 a.m.

No criminality is suspected, and the investigation is ongoing.

The person’s name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Categories
news

Runaway train in India travels more than 40 miles without driver

A runaway freight train in northern India traveled nearly 45 miles without a driver, reaching speeds of up to 46 miles per hour, before it was brought to a stop, according to railway officials.

The train’s adventure was captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media, showing it moving quickly along the tracks near a station platform.

No one was injured by the runaway train and it was eventually stopped using emergency brakes and by placing stones on the track, preventing a major accident.

The train rolled for about 1.5 hours, from Kathua railway station in the state of Jammu and Kashmir before finally stopping in Hoshiarpur district in Punjab state, Prateek Srivastava, director for the Ministry of Railways in Jammu and Kashmir, told CNN on Monday.

“Due to reasons unknown, the (locomotive) pilot and the assistant pilot got off. As soon as they left, the train started rolling down. They could not get on to it,” he added.

The train was eventually diverted onto a path with an uphill gradient, said Srivastava. “We knew gravity would help us,” he added.

At least four people have been suspended following an inquiry into the incident, and a high-level investigation is currently underway at Kathua Railway Station.

In April 2018, a runaway train carrying up to 1,000 passengers rolled for several miles before being brought to an emergency stop.

Video on social media shows the train, which was traveling from the western state of Gujarat to Odisha state in the east, speeding past stations as onlookers and passengers screamed helplessly.

The train was eventually stopped after railway workers placed wooden wedges on the tracks, bringing it to a crunching halt.

None of the estimated 1,000 passengers was injured in the incident and the train reached its final destination two hours behind schedule.

India’s extensive rail network, one of the largest in the world, was built more than 160 years ago under British colonial rule. Today, it runs about 11,000 trains every day over 67,000 miles of tracks in the world’s most populous nation.

In June last year, India suffered one of its deadliest ever rail disasters, when two passenger trains and a freight train collided in Odisha state, killing at least 275 people and injuring more than 1,000.

Categories
news

Exploring the Aegean: The Best Way to Travel from Athens to Crete

The journey from Athens to Crete is a passage through the heart of ancient civilization and modern marvels. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture, Crete beckons travelers from all corners of the globe. While there are multiple ways to reach this captivating island from Athens, each offering its own unique experience, choosing the best mode of transportation can significantly enhance your journey.

1.         Ferry: One of the most popular and scenic ways to travel from Athens to Crete is by ferry. The ports of Piraeus in Athens and Heraklion or Chania in Crete are well-connected, offering several ferry services daily. Ferries range from standard to high-speed options, providing flexibility based on your preferences and schedule. While standard ferries offer a more leisurely voyage, allowing you to soak in the mesmerizing Aegean Sea views, high-speed ferries offer shorter travel times, ideal for those seeking efficiency.

Pros:

•           Scenic journey with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.

•           Options for both standard and high-speed ferries catering to different travel preferences.

•           Opportunity to relax and unwind during the voyage.

Cons:

•           Travel times can vary depending on the type of ferry chosen.

•           Schedules may be subject to change due to weather conditions.

2.         Air Travel: For travelers seeking the quickest way to reach Crete, air travel is the ideal choice. Several airlines operate daily flights from Athens International Airport to either Heraklion or Chania Airport in Crete. With a flight duration of approximately one hour, air travel offers unparalleled convenience and time efficiency.

Pros:

•           Short travel time, with flights typically lasting around one hour.

•           Multiple airlines offering competitive fares, providing flexibility in booking options.

•           Ideal for travelers with limited time or those prioritizing convenience.

Cons:

•           Limited opportunities for scenic views compared to ferry travel.

•           Airport procedures such as check-in and security may add to overall travel time.

3.         Road Trip: Embarking on a road trip from Athens to Crete offers the opportunity to explore the picturesque landscapes of mainland Greece before reaching the island. Travelers can opt to drive to one of the ports in southern Greece, such as Piraeus or Rafina, and then board a ferry to Crete. Alternatively, they can take a longer but scenic route by driving through the Peloponnese Peninsula and taking a ferry from one of its ports, such as Gythio or Kalamata, to Crete.

Pros:

•           Flexibility to explore various destinations along the route, including historical sites and charming villages.

•           Opportunity to enjoy a leisurely journey with stops at scenic viewpoints and local eateries.

•           Ideal for travelers who prefer the freedom of setting their own pace.

Cons:

•           Longer travel time compared to air travel.

•           Potential challenges such as navigating unfamiliar roads and traffic.

The journey from Athens to Crete offers a myriad of options, each with its own unique advantages. Whether you prefer the scenic route of a ferry journey, the convenience of air travel, or the adventure of a road trip, each mode of transportation promises an unforgettable experience. Ultimately, the best way to travel from Athens to Crete depends on your preferences, schedule, and desire for exploration. Whichever option you choose, you’re bound to be enchanted by the beauty and charm of Crete, awaiting your arrival across the shimmering Aegean Sea.