TAKE A LITERARY ADVENTURE The Keys to a Thriving Book Club
People of all ages crave human connection, and book clubs are an increasingly popular path to that common need. Book clubs bring together people with common interests and offer opportunities to build friendships through discussion. If you want to be in a book club, one of the best ways is to start one yourself. Setting guidelines for how your club will work can take time and discussion with prospective members. Some groups focus on the month’s bestseller, while others select from lists published by groups like PBS Books Readers Club or the Seattle Public Library’s “Staff Picks for Adults 50+.” Others focus on a specific author, such as Jane Austen, and some clubs focus on a genre, such as mysteries or memoirs.
and you can join at little to no cost (outside of finding a copy of the book). Check with your local library for groups in your area. Also, AARP sponsors a virtual book club called Senior Planet. Staying connected and socially active can enrich your life in numerous ways, from improving your cognitive health to easing the negative effects of loneliness. Reading opens the mind to new ideas and improves memory. Many book clubs take on a character all their own, such as a monthly wine-and- cheese party with a little casual reading on the side. Social media influencer Katie Iwanski illustrated this option in a hilarious TikTok video. Among the 11 guidelines she posted for her book club, she included the following: Everybody brings a bottle of wine; guests choose a food theme,
such as “crostini night”; and discussion devolves from discussing the book and making cast picks for the movie version to opening more wine and letting the night end in chaos. And a good time was had by all!
If starting your own isn’t realistic, many public libraries host book clubs for seniors,
Comfort in Your Golden Years
The Essential Trio for Federal Employees
Social Security You will also receive retirement benefits through Social Security if covered in the Federal Employee Retirement System and/or if you have 40 quarters of work where Social Security was paid. You will pay 6.2% of your earnings into this fund, with the agency matching that as you work. Thrift Savings Plan The final prong is the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which functions more like a 401(k). Each pay period, your agency deposits 1% of your pay into your TSP. You can also make additional tax-deferred contributions. Like a 401(k), you can decide how to invest these funds. There is no limit to how much you can contribute to your TSP, and your agency will match up to 5%. At Federal Benefits Made Simple, we examine what it would take to fulfill retirement dreams and your necessary expenses. Once we know what you hope to accomplish, we need to understand what you will receive in pension and Social Security benefits to determine the best amount to withdraw annually from your TSP and how to best invest your TSP dollars. Each component plays a crucial role in ensuring financial security throughout retirement. Your pension provides a stable income based on years of service and highest earnings, while Social Security offers additional support based on contributions made throughout your career. The Thrift Savings Plan adds another layer of flexibility and growth potential, allowing you to save and invest for the future. These three pillars create a comprehensive strategy to support your lifestyle goals and dreams in your golden years.
Retirement is a huge milestone, and if you are a federal employee, you’ll need a trio of essential components to achieve it. Your pension, Social Security benefits, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) are the foundation of financial security in your golden years, each playing a crucial role in a stable retirement. Understanding how these pieces fit together and making informed plans early can pave the way for a worry-free future. Pension After you retire, you receive a pension or basic benefit plan that awards you a set amount, regardless of your contribution. It’s based on how many years you worked for the federal government and your highest three consecutive years of earnings. You must have worked for the government for at least five years to be eligible.
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