SNAP HAPPY Discover the Benefits of Photography
Many popular hobbies pose barriers to entry. Running marathons requires fitness, skydiving requires nerves of steel, and video gaming requires skill and usually money. A growing number of adults in their 50s and 60s are embracing a hobby that is perhaps the most adaptable pastime in the world — photography. For those interested in creative expression, mental and social stimulation, or simply a little low-impact exercise, photography offers a path for everyone. At a stage when personal narratives are becoming more important to many people, photography enables adults to document their life experiences in creative ways. Photographers can choose from vast equipment types at a wide range of prices, from smartphone or point-and-shoot cameras to elaborate gear for nighttime or
underwater photography. Potential genres range from landscapes and dark skies to street photography or portraits and subjects can be found almost anywhere in the world or right in your house. Photography offers opportunities to learn about complex topics. You can express your artistic vision through a photo’s composition, lighting, and editing and hunting for new images motivates people to get outdoors. Some photographers say they are enriched by the constant search for beauty in everyday life. Photography clubs or photo walks bring together individuals with shared interests. Also, a high-quality photo of a family member or friend can be a cherished gift. To produce an image your subject will love, pay attention to lighting. “The golden hour”
often occurs right before sunset or just after sunrise, when the light is even and casts a flattering glow, says Maddy, a Boston photographer and TikTok influencer. Maddy says there is no need for a costly light meter to ensure the most flattering light. Simply hold up the palm of your hand facing you and rotate until your palm is bathed either in all sunshine or all shadow. “Whatever light hits your palm is also going to hit your subject,” she says. The results are as she says “phenomenal photos of your friends, so they’ll love you even more!”
Choosing the Right Survivor Benefits for Your Family PRESERVE THEIR FUTURE which provides for your spouse after you have passed away. You want to make a careful consideration about what type of survivor annuity you would like to choose, because if you opt not to elect a survivor annuity, your spouse will be ineligible for health coverage after your death and would receive zero pension payments. Partial Survivor Benefit You can select a partial survivor benefit which ensures your surviving spouse will receive 25% of your annual pension after your death. You need to select partial survivor benefits so your spouse can stay on health insurance if you pass away. However, this reduces your monthly pension in retirement by 5%. Maximum Survivor Benefit The maximum survivor benefit you can select is 50%. If you select this option, it means during your lifetime, monthly pension payments will be reduced by 10% and after you pass away, your spouse will receive 50% of your unreduced annuity. If you opt for this choice, your spouse will receive half of your “unreduced” annuity and will maintain their access to your health coverage. Making the election for your survivor benefit is part of the retirement process and choosing the right survivor benefits is vital to ensuring your retirement plan is comprehensive and thoughtful. By carefully evaluating the options — whether a maximum or partial survivor benefit — you can secure your loved one’s financial future while balancing your own retirement needs. This information is designed for employees under the FERS system. If you are interested in CSRS information, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 303-922-4304.
When planning for retirement as a federal employee under the FERS retirement system it’s crucial to consider not just your future but also the financial security of your loved ones. Survivor benefits on your pension play a pivotal role in this planning, offering peace of mind that your spouse will be supported should anything happen to you. These benefits, designed to provide financial assistance to your beneficiary, can have an impact on your retirement strategy. Let’s explore how these benefits work and why they’re an essential piece of your retirement puzzle. Pension When a federal employee retires, they make an election for a survivor benefit on their pension should they pass away before their spouse. This is what is called a survivor annuity,
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