MEABF is a defined benefit, single employer benefit plan that was established in 1921 by an act of the Illinois General Assembly to provide disability and retirement benefits to qualified employees of the City of Chicago and the Chicago Board of Education. Our sole purpose is to pay earned benefits to our members, which is funded by a combination of member contributions, taxes levied by the City of Chicago, and investment earnings from Plan reserves. MEABF is a component unit of the City of Chicago, and as such, is included in the City of Chicago's financial statements as a pension trust fund.

September 21, 2015

Public Act 98-0641 - Update

Thet Cook County Circuit Court overturned Public Act 98-0641. The effect on your benefit is that the 3% compounded annual increase is restored. Back on January 1, your monthly annuity was increased by an amount less than the 3%. This payment represents the adjustment in your annual increase retroactive to January 1, 2015. The benefit due October 1, 2015 will represent your new, monthly, gross annuity with the 3% annual increase.

December 29, 2015

2016 Annual Statements

Effective January 1, 2016 the City of Chicago insurance rates for the annuitant health care plan will be changing. Please use the following link for additional information available to annuitants: http://chicagoretireebenefits.org.

January 4, 2016

International Small Cap Equity Request for Proposal

Go here to see the original:
Municipal Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago

Social Security claimants annually pass up billions of dollars by not using a simple, but rarely used, benefit option. This option is just one of my 44 financially rewarding insider tips that I cover in my book, Social Security Inside Out.

Recently retiring from the Social Security Administration, I wrote an 18 page workbook with answers to 27 important Social Security questions while divulging 44 insider tips to show you how to get the largest benefits possible. To keep my material up-to-date, I monitor Social Security employee manuals to update this book with any Social Security changes.

Reading my book will give you current information about Social Security and the confidence to make informed decisions to get the largest retirement, spouse and widow or widower checks.

When it comes time to collect your Social Security benefits, you need to be more than a spectator. Take an informed and active part to get the largest checks possible.

Even if you are already receiving Social Security checks, learn how to make sure you are getting the correct amount and if you can get even more in the future.

Learn the pros and cons of retiring at age 62, 66, 70 or any time from 62 to 70 years old. An insider tip explains a way to get some benefits early and still get the 32% bonus at age 70. Learn how you can sign up for retirement benefits but suspend checks to get extra money for your family in the long run.

I cover the various options so you will know how to get the most benefits. A rarely used insider tip shows you how to get extra spouse benefits even though the primary worker hasn't retired. In addition, learn how you can get spouse benefits while your own benefits grow by 32%.

You will learn how much your spouse will collect if you die. In addition, you will learn how the start of your retirement can increase or decrease future widow benefits.

I explain how a widow or widower can switch back and forth between retirement and survivor benefits to collect the most money from both programs. For example, you can draw widow benefits from 60 to 70-years-old and then switch to your own retirement with a 32% bonus. Learn when you should draw widow benefits to get the most benefits from both programs.

I explain the rules concerning divorced spouse benefits. Often you can get divorced spouse benefits even if your ex-spouse doesn't sign up for benefits. I explain whether you should collect your own retirement benefits or divorced spouse benefits or both.

I warn you about six areas that cause underpayments. For example, over 250 million W-2s never have been credited to any worker. I reveal a simple, but rarely used, insider tip to make sure you get credit for all of your work. Furthermore, you will learn the different times to contact Social Security to draw the most benefits possible throughout your life.

Included is a retirement guide, 46 Retirement Pitfalls. Save yourself financial trouble and emotional stress by learning from other retired people. This indispensable retirement guide is included FREE with Social Security Inside Out.

Me outside the White House

"I would not have asked this question if not for the book and I know that the SS worker, just as nice as she could be which was a surprise in itself, would never have suggested we do this."

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Read more:
Social Security Inside Out: Retirement, Spouse, Widow Benefits

Full retirement age is the age at which a person may first become entitled to full or unreduced retirement benefits.

No matter what your full retirement age (also called "normal retirement age") is, you may start receiving benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70.

You can retire at any time between age 62 and full retirement age. However, if you start benefits early, your benefits are reduced a fraction of a percent for each month before your full retirement age.

The chart below lists age 62 reduction amounts and includes examples based on an estimated monthly benefit of $1000 at full retirement age. Click on your year of birth to find out how much your benefit will be reduced if you retire between age 62 and full retirement age.

Note: If your birthday is on January 1st, we figure your benefit as if your birthday was in the previous year.

As a general rule, early or late retirement will give you about the same total Social Security benefits over your lifetime. If you retire early, the monthly benefit amounts will be smaller to take into account the longer period you will receive them. If you retire late, you will get benefits for a shorter period of time but the monthly amounts will be larger to make up for the months when you did not receive anything.

There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your benefit before your full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is your benefit is reduced. Each person's situation is different, so

If you decide to delay your benefits until after age 65, you should still apply for Medicare benefits within three months of your 65th birthday. If you wait longer, your Medicare medical insurance (Part B) and prescription drug coverage (Part D) may cost you more money.

Read this article:
Retirement Planner: Benefits By Year Of Birth

When many people picture a Florida retirement they imagine coastal shores in areas like Tampa Bay and Palm Beach County, or iconic cities like Orlando and Miami. However, some discerning retirees are expanding their search, and discovering Northern Florida's secret gem: the city of Jacksonville.

Located on Florida's northeastern coast, Jacksonville lies about 90 minutes north of Daytona Beach, and about the same distance southeast of Georgia's famous Okefenokee Swamp. This sprawling city stretches across over 840 square miles, making it the largest city by area in the continental United States. Yet, with an estimated population of just over 850,000, Jacksonville is much less congested than the country's more densely populated cities.

In addition to being the largest city, Jacksonville also has the distinction of ranking first among U.S. cities when it comes to its total acreage of parks. There are more than 57,000 acres of parks, including state and federal lands, in the city of Jacksonville. Pocket parks dot the urban landscape, along with athletic fields, playgrounds, hiking trails, bridle paths and boat launches.

Water lovers will be happy to learn that Jacksonville is located on the banks of the impressive St. Johns River. This beautiful waterway is the perfect place for sailing, kayaking, fishing and other water-based recreations. Providing beautiful areas to stroll, jog or simply take in the lovely scenic views, Jacksonville's Riverwalk stretches for over two miles on both the north and south banks of the river.

For even more water fun, sunny Atlantic Coast beaches are located directly east of the city center. The beautiful beaches near Jacksonville are less developed, and less congested with tourists, than many of the beaches found along Florida's peninsula coasts. Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach offer miles of sandy coastline and tranquil ocean vistas.

In downtown Jacksonville, notable urban attractions include a variety of popular museums. The Cummer Museum boasts an impressive range of displays, including a permanent collection of over 4,000 items. Jacksonville's Museum of Contemporary Art features an innovative art collection, and the Museum of Science and History is fun for visitors of all ages.

Sports fans will enjoy taking in a game at Everbank Field. This impressive stadium complex is home to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Everbank Field was the site of the 2005 Super Bowl, and each year the city hosts the Gator Bowl, a college football classic. The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville sets the stage for minor league baseball, and the Veterans Memorial Arena hosts a variety of athletic competitions and performances by world-class entertainers.

Retirees will also find some spectacular active adult communities in the Jacksonville area. Cascades at World Golf Village is a lovely intimate community which boasts many desirable features, including the famous Caddyshack restaurant, which is owned by Bill Murray and his brothers. Built just minutes from downtown Jacksonville, Sweetwater by Del Webb provides resort-style amenities in a prime location. And, just outside of the city, Riverwood by Del Webb is the only age-restricted neighborhood in the popular master-planned community of Nocatee.

When considering retirement in Florida, look beyond the state's peninsula to the northern city of Jacksonville. This beautifully designed area offers river and ocean access, parks and outdoor space, urban attractions and many communities which support an active adult lifestyle.

See more here:
Jacksonville Area 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities ...

Jacksonville and other parts of North Florida have a wide array of retirement communities from which to choose. Living in Jacksonville and the Northeast part of Florida gives you a chance to be away from the hustle and bustle of South Florida, while enjoying a slightly milder climate, though the city of Jacksonville itself it pretty busy.

Fernandina Beach, Florida, just outside of Jacksonville, is the location of Amelia National Golf & Country Club, an amenity-filled community of new custom homes developed by Daytona Beach-based ICI Homes, consistently ranked a Top 100 Homebuilder in the nation by Builder magazine. Residents experience and savor a vacation-type, relaxing lifestyle on a daily basis. This magnificent community embodies exclusive, country club living at its best; from the Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course to championship quality Har-Tru tennis courts.

Often considered the gateway to the enchantingly quaint Amelia Island, Amelia National Golf & Country Club also offers its resident members the private and elegant French provincial clubhouse and luxurious fitness accommodations, such as the state-of-the-art gym and resort-style pool and hot tub; delicious dining; nature walks through rich forests; and an outstanding customer service staff. All of this is located within a 24-hour guard-gated, secure environment. The community is located just 15 minutes from the beach and ocean, and just 25 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport.

Amelia National Golf & Country club features stunning, award-winning new home plans that range from 1700 2700+ sq. ft. Youll love Fernandina Beach and the Florida lifestyle as a proud resident of Amelia National.

Get my Amelia National brochure

Cascades at World Golf Village The Cascades at World Golf Village is a Jacksonville retirement community which just happens to be located in the same community as the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Costa Verano Nestled along Floridas northern coastline, Costa Verano condominium and townhome residents will enjoy the convenient location to downtown Jacksonvilles business and art districts just 17 miles away.

Eagle Landing at Oakleaf Plantation is far from what one would consider a Jacksonville retirement community. For one thing, the community is not age restricted, as families of all ages are welcome.

Grand Haven Grand Haven in Palm Coast is one of the east coasts finest golf communities. Grand Haven sits on over 1,400 acres along Floridas Intracoastal waterway. Perhaps the biggest highlight of the gated Grand Haven community is the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. Combine this with award winning homes by some of the areas best home builders and youve got the perfect formula to attract baby boomers looking for a community in which to enjoy the retirement lifestyle in Florida.

Riverwood at Nocatee Riverwood is actually a community within a community, located in the upscale Ponte Vedra area between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Riverwood provides a gated community within the award-winning Nocatee master-planned community, just minutes from the ocean. The Nocatee Preserve is located nearby, with almost 2,400 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway offering a variety of outdoor sites and activities.

Sweetwater by Del Webb Sweetwater is one of two Jacksonville retirement communities built by Del Webb, the original pioneers of the 55+ and active adult retirement community concept. Sweetwater boasts all the usual amenities you would expect from the leader in 55+ retirement living.

Toscana Toscana is a new community by ABD Development located in Palm Coast Florida. Toscana is a gated community with estate sized lots overlooking 120 acres of conservation area. While Toscana is not a retirement community per say, the community is surrounded by the types of amenities and lifestyle retired baby boomers are looking for.

Other Jacksonville Area Links & Resources:

Jacksonville.com This is the website for the local paper in Jacksonville.

VisitJacksonville.com Website has information on hotels, restaurants, local attractions and more. Great for planning a trip to Jacksonville but also has some good info for those considering moving to Jacksonville.

About Jacksonville Wikipedias Jacksonville webpage has all the facts and figures youd ever want to know.

Read the original post:
Retirement Communities in Jacksonville Florida

Fleet Landing is dedicated to keeping your days and nights full of fun, friends, excitement, and most of all full of life! Since 1990 our resort-style retirement community near Jacksonville, FL has made its name for service, stimulating activity and financial strength.

While many in our community spent their careers in the military, we are also home to a wide range of people who come from an even wider range of backgrounds. Whether you are sailing with a Doctor, sharing a meal with a teacher, or learning a new language with a stockbroker, you will find yourself doing incredible things with equally incredible people.

We cater to people with budgets of all sizes, offering a choice of 16 different floor plans. That means that you can find the kind of home you want that meets all your needs both personally and financially.

Our exclusive WELLInspired program offers an impressive array of activities and classes designed to not only keep you healthy, but to enhance your intellectual, social and spiritual horizons as well! We are also a satellite campus for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute(OLLI) at the University of North Florida which provides course taught by professionals on everything from the Civil War to Wine 101!

Also, we know the difference is always in the detailsand your health and well-being is the most important detail of all. Our retirement communitys highly rated health servicesassisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and memory supportgive you access to some of the best care available in the greater Jacksonville, FL area.

Call us at 877.591.6547 to schedule a visit or click a link below to explore more online!

View original post here:
Retirement Communities Jacksonville Florida | Fleet Landing

Since Jacksonville the city and its county merged together in the late 1960s, Jacksonville is now known as the largest city in land area in the United States as well as the 13th largest population wise.

Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida and has a lot of tourism related to golf so golf-loving retirees will find it a great new home. Jacksonville is also a major port so day cruises and longer cruises are available for quick vacations. Jacksonville also has many theaters and art venues so you can easily plan day trips. Jacksonville is close to St. Augustine, which is considered the oldest city in the United States.

Many consider Jacksonville Florida to be among the best retirement cities in the U.S. Here are some other reasons to choose living in Jacksonville.

Social Opportunities: studies have shown that a good group of friends is more important to a happy retirement than money or health. Jacksonville offers many opportunities with civic groups and hobby clubs to generate a solid core group of friends. These friends can help ward off the problems of aging like dementia and health issues.

Public Transportation: rural living isn't good for seniors who can't drive since they require someone's help to get around. The expenses of transportation add up quickly for fixed-income seniors so the public transportation of Jacksonville is quite beneficial. Even better is that most public transit systems have senior rates that are much cheaper than normal.

Access to Medical Services: it's pretty obvious that if you live near a hospital, you're more likely to survive a medical emergency. Despite how your mind feels, the body starts to break down and there's a good chance you'll need a hospital visit during your retirement years. Living in Jacksonville is great since there are more specialists and medical services available and at cheaper rates.

Access to Local Businesses: city living offers walking distance to most businesses that you'll ever use in your retirement years. Even if you need to travel, there are a lot more shopping centers and discount stores in urban areas.

Fitness: exercise is critical to keeping healthy during your retirement years. Cities have every type of fitness facility from standard fitness centers to niche fitness places like indoor rock climbing walls so there's something for everyone. Even if you want to exercise on your own, there's tons of parks or indoor malls to enjoy walking in.

Continuing Education: todays seniors know the importance of exercising their brains, as well as their bodies. Urban living provides access to a wide range of classes, through local universities, museums, city recreation departments, etc. Enrolling in these types of courses can help stave off the depression that some people feel once they stop working full time.

Food and Entertainment: retirement should be full of activities you never had a chance to enjoy while working. Dinners out to fancy restaurants or weekend getaways to a nearby city or historical site are all possible living in a city. Usually, cities have tons of entertainment venues like theaters and museums and there's always something going on.

Retirement Housing Options: In Jacksonville there are unique housing options which include condos, apartments for rent, hi-rises, retirement communities, lofts, co-ops, luxury condominiums, top end townhouses and other housing for over 55 boomers and seniors.

Read this article:
Jacksonville FL Retirement Living - Best Retirement Cities

Set in the magnificent First Coast in Florida, the Glenmoor Resort has become one of the best retirement communities in northern Florida. As a non-profit, independent accreditor of health and human services communities, we pride ourselves on our extensive range of services. We are always happy to receive feedback that helps us improve our service to you.

We are among the top retirement communities and homes, and we offer a retirement community that provides assisted living, long term care facilities, on-site health care, and memory-support for those in the greatest need. Being a Life Care Center community, our aim is to give you the peace of mind in your retirement to make it as worry-free as possible.

If living near a golf course is your perfect idea of retirement, then look no further. There are world class courses right outside your front door. Your new retirement home can be a cottage, an estate home or an apartment right next to the beautiful and pristine Florida beaches. You can also enjoy the benefits of fine dining, elegant shopping and an abundance of cultural activities that will keep your retirement busier than your working life was. Only you can define how you live out your retirement and you can start by looking at Glenmoor. Want to enjoy the independent living facilities with a cushion for later on in your years, choose Glenmoor as your retirement home, you will be safe in the knowledge that when you need extra care it will be available to you.

If you are looking in the Florida area for your ideal retirement home, call for an appointment and we will be happy to show you around, let you know your choices and offer the financial options that will get you the retirement you deserve. If you can see yourself retiring to Florida, you can see yourself living in Glenmoor.

Link:
Retirement Communities in Jacksonville Florida - Glenmoor

Florida Retirement Systemoffers two retirement plans, the Pension Plan and the Investment Plan.

Pension Plan: Traditional Plan (8 year vesting requirement, effective July 1, 2011). A defined benefit plan sponsored by the State of Florida which provides a monthly retirement benefit based on years of creditable service, the value of each year of service and the average final compensation of the five highest years of salary.

Deferred Retirement Optional Program (DROP) DROP is available when you are vested and have reached your normal retirement date. It allows you to retire while continuing to be employed by an FRS employer for up to 60 months (96 months under certain circumstances if employed as instructional personnel for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind or a grades K-12 school). You must elect DROP participation within (12) twelve months after you reach your normal retirement date, unless you are employed as "instructional personnel.

Investment Plan: After 1 year of FRS service. You are always fully vested in your own contributions as long as you remain in the Investment Plan. Your FRS-covered employer provides the majority of your FRS retirement plan contribution based on a fixed percentage of your gross salary (total employee and employer rate is 6.3% for Regular Class employees). A mandatory 3% pretax contribution is deducted from your paycheck and deposited into your retirement account.

Visit http://www.myfrs.com to learn more.

Originally posted here:
Employee Benefits / Florida Retirement System

We Balance Assistance with Independence

Brookdale Mandarinis a premier senior livingcommunity in Jacksonville, Florida near the St Johns River. We offer Assisted Living carewith attentive service and well-appointedamenities, including a convenient location with shopping, banks, area hospitals, and physicians offices near campus. Residents and their families enjoy access to many local attractions, including beaches and waterways for swimming, fishing and other water sports. Popular attractions include the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, the Museum of Science and History and our regions world-class golf courses.

Just a short drivefrom the beach, our cozy campus features an outdoor covered porch, an outdoor courtyard, and beautifully-landscaped grounds with walking paths shaded by live oaks. We also have a heated, outdoor swimming pool with a pool deck. Our residents enjoy spacious common areas, including a comfortable family room perfect for entertaining guests or meeting friends, a bright elegant dining room complete with table linens and place settings, a bright lofty atrium lobby and our library with its extensive collection of all of your favorite books and magazines.

We understand you may be concernedabout the health and safety of your loved one. You may worry that they may not take their medications properly or that they may suffer a fall with no one around to help. You probably feel a little overwhelmed with demands on your time or withthe guilt of not being able to do more. Maybe you or your loved one fear moving and losing the comforts of home, independence, or connections with friends and family.

We can help you and your family as you consider a move. Assisted Living services are the unique contribution we can make to your loved ones well-being and quality of life. At Brookdale Mandarinwe serve our residents by providing just the right amount of assistance and care to make theirlives easier, while enabling them to live as independently as possible. Our associates are here to support the care that you and other family members already provide. We offer an engaging lifestyle and comfortable accommodations, combined with an exceptional blend of service, care and hospitality.

Experience our distinctive blend of hospitality, attentive service, and compassionate care. Complete the online form for more information or call today to schedule a tour.

There may come a time when you or your loved may need additional help with daily tasks. At Brookdale Mandarin, we offer Assisted Living care so youll be prepared, if or when you need more assistance.

It all begins with a personal service assessment. We take the time to listen to our residents, so we can understand their needs; then we establish clinical, dining and program support that works for them in a meaningful way. We partner with our residents, recognizing their individual needs and preferences, and adjust services to meet their changing needs. So whether its a unique snack, the celebration of a favorite season or a lifelong interest, we value the privilege of knowing our residents and building relationships with them to create a truly personalized living experience.

With our exclusive personal service system, you can live your life the way you want with the right care at the right time, delivered by the right people. Through years of experience serving seniors, we have developed a process that allows us to customize personal care plans for our Assisted Living residents. Your customized care plan means you only pay for the services you need and want, giving you the flexibility to change your plan.

Remember your own days in a college dorm or summer camp, living with people your own age that shared your interests and experiences? You played cards and board games, and talked for hours swapping stories. We recreate that fun, communal experience of living with a family of friends.Here at Brookdale Mandarin, we know that sustaining social relationships and friendships is an integral part of aging well. Well help your loved one connect with others who share similar interests, and enjoy a vibrant life.

We offer care that balances independence with assistance and delivers service with compassion, understanding and respect. With well-appointedaccommodations and an impressive line of features and amenities, Brookdale residents enjoy life with the confidence of knowing we are here, partnering with you and your family, to customize solutions that support your needs as they evolve.

Let us help provide the care you or a loved one need and amenities and services you want. For more information about our services or to schedule a tour, complete the online formor call today.

Brookdale Mandarinisa connected community where each of our four floor feels like a neighborhood. Our spacious, light-filled residences have full kitchens and several floor plan options, plus small pets are welcome.

Our monthly calendar is filled with enriching activities for residents to enjoy such as bunko, wine and cheese gatherings, music performances and fitness classes. We also offer devotional services, field trips for shoppingand lunch, and ice cream socials.In addition to an exciting calendar of activities, classes and outings, our residents enjoy the following amenities and services:

Learn more about the how we can help you or your loved one live an engaging life that balances independence and assistance. Complete the online form or call today to schedule a visit.

Read the rest here:
Jacksonville FL Assisted Living Facilities