The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1368373
My So Called Millennial Life By Stephanie Hayes You're vaccinated! Saying no to plans anyway You've been fully vaccinat- ed, made a brilliant caption for your Band-Aid photo, en- dured any ickies and come out the other side. You're ready to parrrrrrrty! Except, what if you aren't? What if the thought of return- ing to social obligations cre- ates a pit, like a hamster bur- rowing into your small intes- tine? What if you have se- cretly enjoyed a respite from gripping the same drink for three hours inside someone's house? Information abounds about pandemic psychology. A re- cent New York Times sto- ry was a real humdinger, ex- plaining that the malaise many are feeling is called "languish- ing." You don't have to scream at me, OK? Last June, Time published a piece on "re-entry anxi- ety." That story had more to do with the mortal fear of ven- turing out in wide-open states. But it touched on the awkward- ness of socializing after being cooped up. Plenty of other sto- ries have explored our biolog- ical imperative to fight loneli- ness. All true! But there is anoth- er category: just don't wanna. First, let's examine what we can do, per government guide- lines. If you are fully vaccinat- ed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you can partake in life using caution, with the exception of medium-large gatherings and being unmasked inside with high-risk people. That won't last forever. But why not continue blaming the CDC for cancellations? Surely, it won't mind, the way a parent benevolently offers to be the bad guy when high schoolers head off to a party. Shall we practice? "The housewarming sounds fun, but the Centers for Dis- ease Control recommends I stay home." "The Centers for Disease Control is being a real pill right now. I can't wait to move out of the CDC's house. Sorry to miss." "Ugh, the Centers for Dis- ease Control is picking me up. Something about guide- lines that are evidence-based and free of pol- itics, and how this party does not qualify be- cause Rob is over there talking about trickle-down." Or! Instead of using a govern- ment agency as a scapegoat, consider up-front schedule management. If this year has taught us anything, it's that we can get by with less. Only agree to things you will reasonably stick to. Places, everyone. "I would love to come to the pig roast, but my interac- tion skills are rusty. I fear I would say something I can't take back, keeping me up all night replaying haunting con- versations." "A wedding? Aw! Do you re- ally want me there, or would you rather save $ 30 on chick- en marsala? I would be happy to send a gift." "Wow, a plus one for the Academy Awards? Yes, I will schedule this." Finally, give your- self grace and trans- parency. Remem- ber, you don't owe anyone an explana- tion. I leave you with wisdom from mod- ern-day sages, the Olsen sisters. Mar- vel star Elizabeth Olsen recalled the best ad- vice she got from her sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley. Mary- Kate and Ashley Olsen, by the way, can only be reached with a mighty medallion and luck- dragon named Falkor. In an interview with Sam Jones, the younger Olsen stat- ed: "Something my sisters al- ways say ... it's that, 'No' is a full sentence." It's so beautiful. Go forth and decline. Hayes is a columnist at the Tampa Bay Times in Florida. Fol- low her at @ stephhayeswrites on Facebook, @ stephhayes on Twit- ter or @ stephrhayes on Instagram. Q: A lot of my friends have gotten their COVID vaccine. I think I would like to do this, but I don't know where to sign up. Does my Medicare pay for the vaccine? A: A COVID-19 vaccine helps reduce the risk of ill- ness from COVID-19 by work- ing with the body's natural de- fenses to safely develop pro- tection (immunity) to the vi- rus. You will not pay anything for the COVID-19 vaccine. You won't pay a deductible or copayment, and your pro- vider can't charge you an ad- ministration fee to give you the shot. Be sure to bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card so your health care provider or pharmacy can bill Medi- care. You'll need your Medi- care card even if you're en- rolled in a Medicare Advan- tage Plan. If you fill out a form to get the vaccine, you may be asked for your insurer's group num- ber. If you have Part B, leave this field blank or write "N/ A." If you have trouble with the form, talk with your vac- cine provider. Medicare also covers COVID-19 tests, COVID-19 antibody tests, and COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treat- ments. Vaccine sites are available throughout Indiana. To locate a vaccination site near you, go to www.ourshot.in.gov. Here you will find updated informa- tion about the vaccine, as well as a tool to help you find vac- cine locations. If you do not have access to a computer or need assis- tance, you can call 211. Be alert for scammers try- ing to steal your Medicare Number. Medicare covers the vaccine at no cost to you, so if anyone asks you for your Medicare Number to get ac- cess to the vaccine, you can bet it's a scam. Scams to watch for: You can't pay to put your name on a list to get the vac- cine. You can't pay to get access to a vaccine. Don't share your person- al or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for a fee. If you have questions about Medicare coverage for the COVID vaccine or any oth- er questions related to Medi- care, call SHIP at 1-800 -452- 4800, 1-866 -846 -0139 TDD or online at www.medicare. in.gov. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter. SHIP is a free, unbiased coun- seling program provided by the Indiana State Department of In- surance SHIP is a free, unbiased counseling program provided by the Indiana State Department of Insurance. To schedule an appointment with SHIP, call 1- 800 -452-4800, T T Y 1-866 -846 - 0139 or visit www.Medicare.IN- .gov to find your local site. The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, May 5, 2021 A-5 FRIDAY SPECIALS CHICKEN NOODLE OR CHILI Roast Beef Manhattan $ 8.99 Roast Beef Smothered in Gravy on Mashed Potatoes and Bread with Green Beans or Corn and Drink * Cod Fish Sandwich $ 8.99 Dressed the way you like! Served with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Green Beans or Corn and a Drink Stromboli $ 8.99 Our Own Special Stromboli Served with Grippos (Plain or BBQ), Side Salad and a Drink * CHEESY CHICKEN BROCCOLI OR CHILI Chicken and Dumplings $ 8.99 Plate of Chicken and Dumplings, Green Beans or Buttered Peas and Carrots, Baked Apples, Roll and a Drink * WEDNESDAY Boneless Pork Chop $ 8.99 Tender Pork Loin Baked with Special Spices and Parmesan Cheese served with Baked Potato, Green Beans and a Drink * *Your Choice of Regular Co† ee, Tea or Coke Product. Specials and menu items are subject to food availability from suppliers. /RandysAmericanaCafe Like us on Facebook! 7TH & MAIN STREETS • PETERSBURG MAY 5 - MAY 11 new MONDAY VEGETABLE BEEF OR CHILI Spaghetti $ 7.99 Cheesy Mozzarella Toast, Side Salad and Drink* Cheeseburger & Chili $ 8.99 Cheeseburger with a Cup of Chili, Chips and Drink* Pancakes $ 7.99 Choice of Side and Drink* CHILI Biscuits and Gravy $ 7.99 With Your Choice of Bacon or Sausage, Two Eggs and Drink* SATURDAY Stromboli $ 8.99 Our Own Special Stromboli Served with Grippos (Plain or BBQ), Side Salad and a Drink * daily Dine-in & Carry-Out THURSDAY CHEESY POTATO OR CHILI Ham Steak $ 8.99 Thick-Sliced Ham Served with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Green Beans or Buttered Peas and Carrots, Roll and a Drink * Meatloaf $ 8.99 Green Beans or Buttered Peas and Carrots, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Roll and Drink * TUESDAY Turkey Manhattan $ 8.99 Turkey Breast Smothered in Gravy on Mashed Potatoes and Bread with Green Beans and Drink * Polish Sausage $ 8.99 with Sauerkraut Served with Cornbread, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, and Drink * HAM & BEANS WITH CORNBREAD OR CHILI Fresh, Made-From-Scratch Cinnamon Rolls Friday Morning Large order? Call by Thursday evening, 812-354-2004. Roast Beef Manhattan $ 8.99 Roast Beef Smothered in Gravy on Roast Beef Manhattan CHEESY POTATO Thick-Sliced Ham Served with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Green Beans or Buttered Peas and Carrots, Roll and a Drink * Fresh, Made-From-Scratch Cinnamon Rolls Fresh, Made-From-Scratch Cinnamon Rolls Fresh, Made-From-Scratch Friday Morning Large order? Call by Thursday evening, 812-354-2004. Roast Beef Manhattan $ 8.99 CHEESY POTATO OR CHILI Fresh, Made-From-Scratch Cinnamon Rolls Fresh, Made-From-Scratch Cinnamon Rolls Fresh, Made-From-Scratch Large order? Call by Thursday Mon-Fri 7AM-8PM Saturday 7AM-2PM 812-354-2004 Social Security Matters By Rusty Gloor Will 401K distributions affect my benefit? 816 E. Main St., Petersburg 812-789-3046 Mon. - Sat. 9:30am-5pm Designers: Angie Carter, Jane Reed, Sandy Tichenor Adopt-a- Mother Silk Designs continues the tradition of adopting a mother at local nursing homes. Show someone they are loved this Mother's Day, whether it's a resident at the nursing home, a shut-in or just a friend. DELIVERY IS FREE anywhere in Petersburg OPEN MOTHER'S DAY *Excludes silk and fresh floral arrangements Purchase a bouquet and you'll receive 10% OFF ANY ADDT'L GIFT ITEM* 310 W. Morton St., Oakland City 812-749-4500 www.SuesFlowersIN.com Country Home Decor Green and Blooming Plants, Willow Tree Angels, Garden Flags, Garden Decor, Candles and more! Mother's Day • May 9 Make your Mom's day with fresh flowers or spring plants. Stop in and see what is new in Steve's Woodshop. Dear Rusty: I'm 63 and re- tired from work, but not draw- ing Social Security. I have ac- cumulated just over $ 300,000 in my rollover 401K IR A. My wife is still working full time, so we have medical, dental and vision coverage. I have a few questions: 1) When I take IR A distri- butions throughout the year, do those dollar amounts get reported to Social Security as income? 2) If not, will my SS benefit change (will I be penalized?) for not working and having zero income as I continue to withdraw investments and show no income? 3) If my benefit will drop be- cause of the last few years of no income, would it be advis- able to start drawing Social Security now? Signed: Plan- ning Ahead. Dear Planning Ahead: Whenever you decide to claim Social Security, they will com- pute your benefit amount from your lifetime earnings histo- ry. They will adjust your earn- ings for inflation in all years prior to the year you turned 60, find the 35 years in which you had the highest (infla- tion-adjusted) earnings, and use that "average indexed monthly earnings" (AIME) amount to determine your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is your benefit entitlement at your full retire- ment age (FR A). From there, your age when you claim de- termines your final Social Se- curity payment amount. Born in 1958 your FR A is 66 plus 8 months, and that is the age at which you will get 100 percent of your PIA. If you claim bene- fits before your FR A, your pay- ment will be reduced; and if you wait until after your FR A to claim your benefit will be in- creased. If you wait until you are 70 to claim, your SS pay- ment will reach maximum (about 27 percent more than your FR A benefit amount). Now, to your specific ques- tions: 1) Distributions taken from your 401k or IR A are not re- ported to Social Security as "earnings" and do not count toward your Social Security benefit entitlement. 2) If you have already re- tired from working, having ze- ro earnings now won't further affect your final SS payment amount because your bene- fit will be based upon your 35 highest-earning years. Howev- er, if you have a recent benefit estimate from Social Securi- ty, that estimate assumed that you would continue to earn at the same level you most re- cently reported to the IRS un- til you reached your FR A. So, if you got the estimate while you were still working (or shortly thereafter), the esti- mate is higher than your ac- tual benefit will be. If you re- ceived the estimate a year or more after you stopped work- ing, the estimate is more ac- curate. In any case, your 401K withdrawals will not count as SS earnings. 3) Claiming now would re- sult in a per- manently re- duced SS ben- efit amount be- cause you haven't yet reached your full retirement age. But claiming now wouldn't be a hedge against your current lack of earnings, because your benefit will be based upon the highest earning 35 years over your lifetime. If you don't already have a full 35 years of SS -covered earnings they will still use 35 years in the benefit calcula- tion, adding $ 0 earnings for enough years to make it 35. If that is the case, you could off- set some of those zero years in your lifetime history by re- turning to work now, thus in- creasing your bene- fit when you claim. If you already have at least 35 years of earnings, enjoy your retirement. One last thing to consider: if you pre- decease your wife, at her FR A she will be entitled to 100 percent of the benefit you were receiving at your death (if that is more than her own). In oth- er words, when you claim your benefit will affect the amount your wife can get as your wid- ow. The longer you wait to claim, the higher your wife's survivor benefit from you will be. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation. org/programs/social-securi- ty-advisory) or email us at ss- advisor@amacfoundation.org. 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