Tip: Patty Duke returns as cousins in Medicare ad
There are many cultural and political signposts from the 1960s that tie boomers and seniors: Elvis and the Beatles on "Ed Sullivan," Neil Armstrong on the moon, the Vietnam War and Woodstock.
In addition to the major markers, there are smaller ones, such as TV theme songs.
"Meet Cathy, who's lived most everywhere. . . . " That was the weekly opening for "The Patty Duke Show," which ran on ABC from 1963 to 1966. Ever wonder what happened to Patty and Cathy Lane; Patty's brother, Ross; their father, Martin; and Patty's boyfriend, Richard? Apparently, Patty and Richard got married, and he's applying for Medicare.
The cast reunited for a Social Security Administration commercial to promote a new Web-based Medicare application aimed at younger seniors and soon-to-be Medicare-ready boomers. The commercial reunites the show's star, Patty Duke, with actors Eddie Applegate (Richard), 87-year-old William Schallert (Martin), and Paul O'Keefe, who at 58 still plays the annoying younger brother. Jean Byron, who played Patty Lane's mother, died in 2006. (You can see the commercial at www.socialsecurity .gov/pgm/flash/PattyReunion.htm and hear the infectious theme song.)
The new online application is primarily for those who want to sign up for Medicare but wish to delay collecting Social Security to maximize their monthly payments. To check out the online application, go to www.socialsecurity .gov and click Retirement/Medicare.
At 63, Duke is too young to collect Medicare. But if she signed up for early Social Security benefits, how much would she get? If you're a boomer like Duke, in your 50s or early 60s, check out the Benefits Calculator at www.ssa.gov/estimator. Unlike calculators on financial Web sites, this one has access to all your earnings and can give you a good estimate how much you will get if you take benefits at 62, wait until your full retirement age or hold off until 70.
And for those who want to retire out of the United States, Social Security says you can live in most foreign countries without affecting your eligibility, meaning your checks would follow you from Zanzibar to Barclay Square.
