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Under a restricted application, however, you could take just one or the other of the two benefits at 66, and then allow the other benefit to grow at 8% per year, until age 70. For example, depending on how much your own retirement benefit would be, you might file a restricted application for your own retirement benefit, and then let your larger spouse benefit grow to the maximum, switching to it at age 70. Or, if by allowing your own retirement benefit to grow would yield a higher benefit, you could instead file a restricted application for just the ex- spouse benefit at 66, and then switch to your own higher benefit at age 70. You will need professional help to make this determination. The extra money you receive using this strategy accumulates over a typical retirement, and can mean a significantly higher benefit when you are older and need it the most..When you get surgery it's often difficult to know the costs in advance. Medicare covers anesthesia provided for medically necessary inpatient or outpatient surgical procedures. But it's important to understand how services like anesthesia work because they are often billed and paid separately, and administered by specific providers who may not be affiliated with your in-network hospital or doctor's practice. In addition, billing errors frequently occur, and bills often need to be corrected and re-submitted for reimbursement. Here are some steps to take to make sure all your bills get paid..One important option to select is inflation protection. The cost of.The big news at the end of last week was President Trumps four executive orders that are supposed to lower prescription drug prices. Lowering those prices was something he campaigned on in 2016 and has talked about since, but this is the first time he has taken action..Pay special attention to the bathroom. Bathrooms are second to kitchen remodels for raising the selling price of your home. Modernizing the fixtures is a good idea, but don't rush to throw out that antique claw foot tub, check with your agent first. There are companies that can refinish those old tubs. Repair or replace leaky toilets and faucets. Repair or replace chipped tiles, replace caulking and grouting where necessary..Get a second opinion for major treatments You will pay another consultation fee, but the vet may have less expensive ways to treat your pet..Even the Committee For a Responsible Federal Budget, which proposes the change, suggests that lower-income people could be especially vulnerable under the proposal. The organization is recommending that Congress dedicate about billion in savings from lower spending on COLAs to "enhance various benefits for low-income individuals" saying "while chained CPI is the most accurate measure of inflation, it could result in some undesirable distributional consequences.".This week, lawmakers in the Senate voted to approve a permanent repeal of Medicare's flawed sustainable growth rate formula, and The Senior Citizens League announced its support for one new piece of legislation..Coming Months Could be the Roughest Yet