"They have some interesting recipes.  I'm not 100% confident of the science behind their statements but . . . they did take time to explain and present a reasonable, science based argument.  You decide.  I liked the article. Besides, you want to provide food which insures your clients will be able to come back again and again.  Right?!"

Some nutrition myths bounce around on crazy e-mail chain letters and pop up on goofy evening news reports. Others fuel the sale of rip-off diet books. Some are so accepted they seem hardwired into our brains. Take deep-fried foods, for example. They’re universally bad for you, right? Well, no. When we challenged ourselves to explore whether fried foods could be made healthy, we discovered that, when done properly under conditions any home cook can mimic, fried foods don’t have to be forever banished from a healthy diet.

Read more and find some great recipes . . . click below.

Dig in! 10 nutrition myths debunked - TODAY Food and wine

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are fats carried in the blood from the food we eat. Most of the fats we eat, including butter, margarines and oils, are in triglyceride form. Excess calories, alcohol or sugar in the body are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells throughout the body.

How are triglycerides different from cholesterol?

Triglycerides and cholesterol are both fatty substances known as lipids. But triglycerides are fats; cholesterol is not. Cholesterol is a waxy, odorless substance made by the liver that is an essential part of cell walls and nerves.

Cholesterol also plays an important role in body functions such as digestion and hormone production. In addition to being produced by the body, cholesterol comes from animal foods that we eat.

Pure cholesterol cannot mix with or dissolve in the blood. Therefore, the liver packages cholesterol with triglycerides and proteins in carriers called lipoproteins to transport it to sites throughout the body. An elevated triglyceride level increases the risk of heart disease.

When are triglyceride levels measured?

Triglyceride levels are usually measured whenever you have a blood test called a Lipid Profile. Everyone over age 20 should have their cholesterol checked at least every 5 years. Your health care provider can check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels by taking a sample of blood, which is sent to a lab for testing. The Lipid Profile shows your triglyceride level, total cholesterol level, HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or “good” cholesterol) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein or “bad” cholesterol) levels.

Following a meal, blood triglyceride levels are normally high. For an accurate reading, blood samples for a triglyceride test should be taken after a 12-hour period of not eating or drinking. Many other factors affect blood triglyceride levels including alcohol, diet, menstrual cycle, time of day and recent exercise.

What are the guidelines for triglyceride levels?

Guidelines for triglyceride levels in healthy adults are:

• Normal: Under 150 mg/dl

• Borderline High: 151– 200 mg/dl

• High: 201 – 499 mg/dl

• Very High: 500 mg/dl or higher

How can triglycerides be lowered?

If you have high triglycerides, you may be able to reduce them without medication by following the guidelines listed in this handout which include following a low-sugar and low-fat diet, as well as limiting your alcohol intake.

People who have high triglycerides and low HDL or high LDL levels may require medications as well as diet modifications. Patients with triglycerides in the very high range (over 500 mg/dL) generally will require medications, because triglyceride levels this high may cause other medical problems.

How do foods affect triglyceride levels?

Consuming foods high in simple sugars significantly contributes to high triglycerides. Follow these guidelines to limit simple sugars in your diet:

• Substitute beverages like colas, fruit drinks, iced tea, lemonade, Hi-C and Kool-Aid with artificially sweetened beverages labeled “sugar-free” or “diet.”

• Limit hard candies, chocolates, candy bars and gummy bears.

• Avoid adding table sugar and brown sugar to hot and cold cereals. Instead, substitute Equal, Splenda, Sweet-n-Low, Sugar Twin or Brown Sugar Twin

• Choose sugar-free gum or mints instead of the regular versions.

• Try light or low-sugar syrups on pancakes and waffles.

• Spread breads and crackers with no-sugar-added jelly or preserves.

• Snack on whole fruit instead of fruit roll-ups and other fruit-flavored treats.

• When selecting cereals, limit the sugar to no more than 8 grams per serving.

• Try sugar-free gelatin and puddings instead of their regular versions.

• Choose low-sugar cookies and other desserts. Remember, these foods are not calorie-free and may contain cholesterol-raising fats.

• Be aware that desserts labeled “fat-free” usually contain more sugar and equal calories than the full-fat varieties.

• Regulate your intake of cookies, pastries, pies, cakes and granola bars. All of these foods contain high levels of added sugar; choose them sparingly.

• Reduce your intake of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, gelato, and flavored ices - all contain high levels of sugar.

• Limit your daily sugar intake to no more than 8% of your total calories each day. That’s 24 grams for someone following a 1,600-calorie diet, or 40 grams for a 2,000-calorie diet.

• Read the ingredients list on food labels, and limit foods that contain any of the following words (all simple sugars) as the first few ingredients:

  • Sucrose

• Glucose

• Fructose

• Corn syrup

• Maltose

• Honey

• Molasses

• Especially High-fructose corn syrup

Naturally occurring sugars, when eaten in excess, can also raise your triglyceride level.

Follow these guidelines to help limit natural sugars:

• Use honey and molasses sparingly - they are both high in sugar

• Choose light yogurt (which use artificial sweeteners) instead of regular yogurt

• Choose whole fruit instead of fruit juice
  Limit the serving size of dried fruits to ¼ cup per day; dried fruits contain a more concentrated source of sugar

• Choose canned fruit in its own juice and strain before eating; avoid canned fruits packed in heavy syrup

• Limit your portion sizes of mashed potatoes, yams, beans, corn and peas to ½ cup; limit baked potatoes (with skin) to about 3 ounces. Although these starchy vegetables are a great source of fiber and nutrients, they can contribute to high triglycerides when eaten in excess.

Highly refined breads, cereals, rice, pasta and crackers convert to sugar in the body much more quickly than whole-grain varieties, which may increase your triglyceride level.

To limit refined grains:

• Choose breads, crackers and cereals that contain whole grain oats, barley, corn, rice or wheat as the first ingredient. Avoid the words “bleached” and/or “enriched” as the first ingredient.

• Try whole wheat pasta or brown rice.

• Choose breads, crackers, rice and pasta with 2 or more grams of dietary fiber per serving.

• Select hot and cold cereals with 5 or more grams of dietary fiber per serving.

• Use barley, bulgur, couscous, millet or wheat berries as a side dish.

• Try whole wheat crackers with soup instead of saltines.

Watching your overall portion size of grain-based foods is a key component to triglyceride control.

Below are examples of a single serving size:

• 1 slice of bread

• 2 slices of reduced-calorie bread

• ½ hot dog or hamburger bun

• ½ English muffin

• ½ bagel (1 ounce)

• 1 oz most cold cereals (¼ to 1 cup)

• 2 graham crackers

• ¾ matzoh cracker

• 4 slices melba toast

• 3 cups popped light popcorn

• 2 to 6 baked whole-wheat crackers

• ½ cup cooked cereal (including oatmeal, oat bran, cream of wheat)

Alcoholic beverages are a significant contributor to elevated triglyceride levels. Beer, wine, spirits, mixed drinks, wine coolers and coffee drinks containing alcohol are all examples. Men should not exceed 2 drinks per day, and women should limit to their intake to one drink per day.

One serving is equal to: 1.5-ounce spirits, 3 ounces wine or 12 ounces beer. Keep in mind that these are general guidelines. If you have elevated triglyceride levels, it is recommended that you consume fewer to no alcoholic beverages per day.

Excessive intake of dietary fats, especially saturated and trans fats, can increase your triglycerides. However, reducing dietary fat too much may mean you are getting too much sugar in the diet. If you have high triglycerides, follow these dietary guidelines to reduce dietary fat:

• Limit your total fat intake to 30 to 35% of your total daily calories

• Limit saturated fat to 7% of your total daily calories

• Try to avoid high trans fat foods

• Limit dietary cholesterol to 200 mg daily

• Choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (such as canola and olive oils) most often

• See your dietitian or clinician for more information on determining your daily fat limit.

Here are some other ways to help lower triglycerides:

• Eat fewer calories (through portion control) if you need to lose weight

• Eat small, frequent meals and do not skip meals

• Avoid late-night snacking

• Lose weight if you are overweight

• Participate in regular physical activity

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Some foods have been found to be very powerful at lowering triglycerides when you also follow the other guidelines in this handout. The fat found in fish, called omega-3 fatty acids, can help to lower triglyceride levels in many people.

To obtain the amount of omega-3 fat that is needed to lower triglycerides, your physician may recommend that you purchase a fish oil supplement. However, ask your physician first. To get more omega-3 fats in your diet, choose two or more meals of fatty fish each week (such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna, tilapia) or include plant-based forms of omega-3 in your diet, such as soy foods, canola oil, flax seeds and walnuts.

"Inventor From Minnesota Swears Under Oath He's Not Cheating The Electric Companies — He's Simply Generating His Own Power At Will!"

Make your own electricity with Power4Homes $200 kit.

Is our culture rooted primarily after the 1877's?  Think about what would be lost and gained.   OneFamilyMan Opinion: We loose a clear connection with the Creator, the source of our liberty.  When we fail to examine the whole course of America's history; primarily, the Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Bill of Rights, we lose the rudder of our ship of state.

The study tested 2,508 Americans with various education levels on 33 basic civic knowledge questions that included political literacy, American history and economics. The overall average score was 49 percent. College graduates scored at 57 percent. Respondents also answered questions about 39 social issues. The answers were compared with those from a 2006-07 study that tested more than 14,000 college freshmen and seniors on similar issues.

Mr. Brake said college students scored better on questions relating to the history of the 1900s, including those involving Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr. He added that this is some indication of the focus of study in the classroom.

Study finds lack of civic learning in college - Washington Times

LJ 1FamilyMan

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Learning , sharing,  growing , changing . . .  creating      wonderful excitement.

There are many companies out there who are offering Resveratrol. 

How many have jumped the gun?

There is a huge distinction between rats and humans. 

 

Evaluate the Suppliers:

1. Have they performed the double-blind placebo based clinical human trials to verify safe, effective dosing?  Ask for the data.
2. Have they stabilized the delivery of Resveratrol so that the   XX mg per dose you have in their bottle today is also there when you open their bottle tomorrow?

Note: The amount of Resveratrol in a bottle of Pinot Grigio is diminished by approximately 50% when the bottle is opened the following day.

Do the research, evaluate the suppliers and it will make a difference in your supplemental health regime.  I recommend Univera.

Studies showed that resveratrol increased life span in lower organisms by activating the NAD (+)-dependent histone deacetylase Sirt1. And, it was found that that resveratrol promoted longevity and improved glucose homeostasis in mice by stimulating the Sirt1-mediated deacetylation of the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1alpha. [7] Researchers are interested to know if resveratrol benefits animals suffered from chronic diseases, such as diabetes. The following is a summary of a few interesting research studies about the potential benefits of resveratrol on chronic diseases, such as diabetes. In 2001, Naderali EK and co-workers from University of Liverpool found resveratrol (5-35 micromole/l) induced concentration-dependent relaxation of mesenteric arteries preconstricted with noradrenaline (8 micromol/l) or KCl (125 mmol/l) from both lean and dietary-obese rats. [1] Hyperglycemia, a symptom of diabetes mellitus, induces hyperosmotic responses, including apoptosis, in vascular endothelial cells and leukocytes. Hyperosmotic shock elicits a stress response in mammalian cells, often leading to apoptotic cell death. Moreover, resveratrol was found to attenuate high glucose-induced apoptotic changes by virtue of its antioxidant property. [2] Diabetic nephropathy is a serious vascular complication and one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease. Increased oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology of diabetic nephropathy. In a study, researchers found treatment with resveratrol significantly attenuated renal dysfunction and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. [3] Most of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients eventually become insulin dependent because insulin secretion by the islets of Langerhans becomes exhausted. In the present study, researchers from Chang Gung University, Taiwan, showed that resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxylstilbene) possesses hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. In resveratrol-treated diabetic rats, the plasma glucose concentration on day 14 was reduced by 25.3%, and the triglyceride concentration was reduced by 50.2% compared with the placebo-treated rats. In nicotinamide-treated diabetic rats, the plasma glucose oncentration on day 14 was reduced only by 20.3 %, and the triglyceride concentration was reduced by 33 %. Resveratrol administration ameliorates common DM symptoms, such as body weight loss, polyphagia, and polydipsia. In STZ-nicotinamide DM rats, resveratrol administration significantly decreased insulin secretion and delayed the onset of insulin resistance. [4] Usually, diabetic rats exhibited a significant thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia along with increased plasma glucose and decreased body weights. Allodynia means other pain. It is a painful response to a usually non-painful stimulus. Hyperalgesia is an increased sensitivity to pain, which may be caused by damage to nociceptors or peripheral nerves. [Wikipedia] Sharma S and co-workers from Panjab University, India, reported treatment with resveratrol (10mg/kg orally) from week 4 to week 6 significantly attenuated the cold allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, suggesting the application of resveratrol in diabetes, especially for diabetic neuropathy. [5] Researchers, at Boston University Medical Center, revealed inactivation of hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase was a key event in the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia in diabetes (based on a study of in type 1 diabetic LDL receptor-deficient mice). They showed that resveratrol could lower lipid levels by activating AMP-activated protein kinase. It was about 200 times the potency of Metformin! [6] Recent Research Studies of Resveratrol on Diabetes Schmatz R and co-workers from Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil, found that treatment with resveratrol prevented the increase in acetylcholinesterase activity and consequently memory impairment in diabetic rats. [8] Palsamy P and other India researchers found daily oral treatment of resveratrol to diabetic rats for 30 days demonstrated a significant decline in blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels and a significant increase in plasma insulin level. The administration of resveratrol also reverted the altered activities of the key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism such as hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase in liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats to near normal levels. [9] Researchers from New York Medical College observed that resveratrol increased mitochondrial mass and mtDNA content, up-regulated protein expression of electron transport chain constituents and induced mitochondrial biogenesis factors (PGC-1alpha, Nrf-1, Tfam) in cultured human coronary arterial endothelial cells. They found resveratrol treatment normalized impaired mitochondrial biogenesis in aortas of type 2 diabetic mice. This suggests the potential benefits of resveratrol on diabetes or metabolic diseases. [10] Researchers from Dortmund University of Technology, Germany, observed that resveratrol could inhibit the formation of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) fibril. Following preferential partitioning of IAPP into the fluid lipid phase, the membrane of beta-cells suffered irreversible damage and predominantly circularly-shaped lipid-containing IAPP amyloid was formed. Deposition of amyloid in the extracellular matrix of beta-cells commonly occurs in type II diabetes mellitus. Thus, resveratrol may benefit animals suffered from diabetes. [11] Rodella LF and co-workers from University of Brescia, Italy, found resveratrol and cobalt protoporphyrin administration increased heme oxygenase-1 protein expression and heme oxygenase activity in the aorta and significantly increased serum adiponectin levels, compared to untreated diabetic rats. Increased heme oxygenase-1 expression usually improves vascular function. [12] Resveratrol decreased blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood urea, serum uric acid, serum creatinine and diminished activities of pathophysiological enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in diabetic rats after 30 days of treatment. [13] The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is high.nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is linked to obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertriglyceridemia. Approximately 20% of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease will eventually develop cirrhosis. Resveratrol was found to decrease nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity in rats. This effect was mediated, at least in part, by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibition and antioxidant activities. [14] Resveratrol Benefits and Side Effects Resveratrol Arthritis Resveratrol Cream Resveratrol Cancers Does grape seed extract lower bad cholesterol?

Source: Does resveratrol helps diabetes?

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Recently, I found myself using the word Allopathic or Allopathy.  When asked what it meant, I stumbled blindly towards the answer, " . . . a generalization of the standard practice of medicine."   I lucked out.  However, having looked up the word I am not inclined to use the word again.  Why?   It has to do with motivation and maturity.  People have a right to have their opinions.  You might hear them say, " . . .  that is the way it is done and all other ways are false".   Since the goal is to advance the efficacy our efforts we must be patient until one can demonstrate or show the value of new, different ways of restoring and maintaining our body's vitality or in any other area of life.   With that purpose in mind, I believe using 'Allopathy' or 'Allopathic' to describe the main stream, standard way of today's medicine or health practitioner is counter productive.  Just a useless as describing non-traditional health maintenance and renewal arts as 'snake oil' et al.

(This post acknowledges and encounter with Robin 6/8/09)

Allopathy is a term coined in the early 19th century^[1] by Samuel Hahnemann^[2], the founder of homeopathy, as a synonym for mainstream medicine. It was used by homeopaths to highlight the difference they perceived between homeopathy and conventional medicine, and its use remains common among homeopaths. The term derives from the Greek ἄλλος, állos, other, different + πάϑος, páthos, suffering. The distinction comes from the use in homeopathy of substances that cause similar effects as the symptoms of a disease to treat patients (homeo - meaning similar). The term allopathy was meant to contrast the homeopathic approach with those conventional medical treatments that are different from or which directly counter a patient's symptoms; hence the terms allopathic and antipathic. Homeopaths saw such symptomatic treatments as "opposites treating opposites". However, many conventional medical treatments do not fit this definition of allopathy, as they seek to prevent illness, or remove the cause of an illness by acting on the etiology of disease.^[3][4]

The term allopathic was used throughout the 19th Century as a derogatory term for the practitioners of heroic medicine,^[5][6] a precursor to modern medicine that did not rely on evidence. The meaning and controversy surrounding the term can be traced to its original usage during a heated 19th-century debate between practitioners of homeopathy, and those they derisively referred to as "allopaths."^[7] The meaning implied by the label has never been accepted by conventional medicine, and is still be considered pejorative by some.^[8][9] More recently, some sources have used the term allopathic, particularly American sources wishing to distinguish between conventional medicine and, say, osteopathic.^[10][6][11]

History is full of examples of this kind of tension or Semmelweis reflex; rejecting the obvious benefits in favor of the norm. 

Here is a YouTube story of a breakthrough where a Doctor looks at everything 'going on' and recognizes the obvious. Click Here  and further with  Univera Science (Univera White Papers)

Click here to email me or leave a comment below to go further with this discussion .

( Read more... )

Socratic Method: Short Stories and James Hoskins

May 18, 2009 01:12 PM PDT

Today on ID the Future, Casey Luskin interviews James Hoskins about his latest creative writing endeavors. Hoskins, a philosophy major at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, has written several pieces based on the debate between ID and Darwinian evolution, including one that pits Socrates and imaginary materialist Hector Dawkins against each other as they argue over the scientific merit of ID. Hoskins also reads excerpts from some of his stories, and describes the inspiration behind them.

Hoskins' work, including his Debate Between Socrates and Hector Dawkins, can be downloaded from ID Arts here.

 Click here to listen to this pod cast.

There are many ways to transition to a pro-active way to handle your future years.  If Univera's cellular renewal is indeed extending your productive life and you are beginning to see others are connecting to these benefits because of your sharing.  Perhaps the excellent compensation system of Univera is a way to go.  However, some may have a cash flow which is on a seemingly endless diet.  If you are 62 or older you may have an income boost which may be just the ticket for making that quantum leap from the same ole - same ole to a dynamic, expanding, business quadrant to match the changes in your life and your associations.   Here some information which may help from the Social Security Administration..

When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits

SSA Publication No. 05-10147, July 2008, ICN 480136 [View.pdf] (En Español)

At Social Security, we're often asked, “What is the best age to start receiving retirement benefits?” The answer is that there is no one “best age” for everyone and, ultimately, it is your choice. You should make an informed decision about when to apply for benefits based on your individual and family circumstances. We hope the following information will help you understand how Social Security can fit into your retirement decision.

Contents

Your decision is a personal one

Monthly payments differ substantially based on when you start receiving benefits

Retirement may be longer than you think

Your decision could affect your family

You can keep working

Don't forget Medicare

Additional resources

Your decision is a personal one

Would it be better for you to begin receiving benefits early with a smaller monthly amount or wait for a larger monthly payment later that you may not receive as long? The answer is highly personal and depends on a number of factors, such as your current cash needs, your health and family longevity, whether you plan to work in retirement, whether you have other retirement income sources, your anticipated future financial needs and obligations, and, of course, the amount of your future Social Security benefit. We hope you will weigh all the facts carefully and consider your own circumstances before making the important decision about when to begin receiving Social Security benefits.

[Top]

Monthly payments differ substantially based on when you start receiving benefits

If you live to the average life expectancy for someone your age, you will receive about the same amount in lifetime benefits no matter whether you choose to start receiving benefits at age 62, full retirement age, age 70 or any age in between. However, monthly benefit amounts can differ substantially based on your retirement age. Basically, you can get lower monthly payments for a longer period of time or higher monthly payments over a shorter period of time. The amount you receive when you first get benefits sets the base for the amount you will receive for the rest of your life, though you do receive annual cost-of-living adjustments and, depending on your work history, may receive higher benefits if you continue to work

The following chart provides an example of how your monthly benefit amount can differ based on the age at which you decide to start receiving benefits.

Let’s say your full retirement age is 66 and your monthly benefit starting at that age is $1,000. If you choose to start getting benefits at age 62, your monthly benefit will be reduced by 25 percent to $750 to account for the longer period of time you receive benefits. This is generally a permanent reduction in your monthly benefit.

If you choose to not receive benefits until age 70, you would increase your monthly benefit amount to $1,320. This increase is from delayed retirement credits you get for your decision to postpone receiving benefits past your full retirement age. The benefit amount at age 70 in this example is 32 percent more than you would receive per month if you chose to start getting benefits at full retirement age.

[Top]

Retirement may be longer than you think

When thinking about retirement, be sure to plan for the long term. Many of us will live much longer than the “average” retiree, and, generally, women tend to live longer than men. About one out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90, and one out of 10 will live past age 95. Social Security benefits, which last as long as you live, provide valuable protection against outliving savings and other sources of retirement income. Again, you will want to choose a retirement age based on your circumstances so you will have sufficient income when you need it.

[Top]

Your decision could affect your family

Your spouse may be eligible for a benefit based on your work record (spouse benefits are reduced if claimed before the spouse’s full retirement age). If you die before your spouse, he or she may be eligible for a survivor benefit based on your work record, particularly if you have earned more than your spouse over your lifetime. If you begin receiving Social Security benefits early, we cannot pay your surviving spouse a full benefit from your record. Also, if you wait until after the full retirement age to get benefits, your surviving spouse—if he or she is at least full retirement age—generally will receive the same benefit amount that you would have received.

Your children also may be eligible for a benefit on your work record if they are under age 18 or if they have a disability that began before age 22. For them to receive benefits, you must be getting benefits, too.

[Top]

You can keep working

When you reach your full retirement age, you can work and earn as much as you want and still receive your full Social Security benefit payment. If you are younger than full retirement age and if your earnings exceed certain dollar amounts, some of your benefit payments during the year will be withheld.

This does not mean you must try to limit your earnings. If we withhold some of your benefits because you continue to work, we will pay you a higher monthly benefit amount when you reach your full retirement age. In other words, if you would like to work and earn more than the exempt amount, you should know that it will not, on average, reduce the total value of lifetime benefits you receive from Social Security—and may actually increase them.

Here is how this works: after you reach full retirement age, we will recalculate your benefit amount to give you credit for any months in which you did not receive some benefit because of your earnings. In addition, as long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit.

[Top]

Don’t forget Medicare

If you plan to delay receiving benefits because you are working, you should sign up for Medicare three months before reaching age 65, regardless of when you reach full retirement age. Otherwise, your Medicare medical insurance, as well as prescription drug coverage, could be delayed, and you could be charged higher premiums.

[Top]

Additional resources

You can estimate benefit amounts and find more information to help you decide when to start receiving retirement benefits by using our Benefits Planners online at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. When you’re ready to apply for benefits, you also can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits. Many people can continue to work and still receive retirement benefits. If you want more information on how earnings affect your retirement benefits, ask for How Work Affects Your Benefits (Publication No. 05-10069), which has current annual and monthly earnings limits.

A wealth of other information—including copies of our publications—is available on our website at www.socialsecurity.gov. You also can call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778). We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day.

When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits