By Jim Miller, Dear Savvy Senior, I’d like to make my end-of-life arrangements, but I want to keep things simple and affordable. What are my options? 86-Year-Old Dear 86, Smart thinking! Planning ahead can save your loved ones a lot of stress and money. With a...
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I always get my annual flu shot, but I never know whether I’m getting the right one. Can you explain which flu vaccine is best for seniors this fall and whether there are any other recommended vaccines I should get? Trying to Stay...
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I want to leave something meaningful for my children and grandchildren, beyond just money or property. I’ve heard about “legacy letters,” but I don’t really know what they are or how to start one. Can you help? Legacy Seeker Dear...
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What are the absolute lowest-cost smartphone plans for seniors who mainly talk and text but need a little cellular data for email and occasional use? I’m currently paying $40 a month and hoping to cut that down. Looking to Save Dear...
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, After watching the coverage of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, I’m worried about my elderly mother who lives alone in another state. Without being intrusive, I want to make sure she’s safe. Are there simple, affordable ways to check...
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? I didn’t file a tax return last year because my income was below the filing threshold, but I got a part-time job in 2025, so I’m wondering if I need to file...
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me some tips on picking a good nursing home for my father? Since his stroke, I’ve been taking care of him at home, but he’s gotten to the point where it’s too much for me to handle. Exhausted Daughter Dear Exhausted,...
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are relocating to a nearby state to be closer to our daughter and will need to find a new primary care physician when we arrive. We are both in our late 70s and are interested in getting a geriatrician to oversee our...
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good online resources for writing a simple will? I’m 70 and divorced and want to get my affairs organized, but I hate paying a high-priced attorney fee if I can do it myself. Don’t Have Much Dear Don’t, A last...
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, With a longtime vaccine critic leading the nation’s health departments, can you give me updated information on which vaccines are recommended for Medicare seniors this fall? Medicare Mary Dear Mary, Even though the Centers for...
