Why Seniors Are Leading The Bankruptcy Charge
- Date: 2007-07-19 - Word Count: 534
Share This!
Across the country, senior citizens are starting to follow what is becoming a national trend by filing bankruptcy. Filing bankruptcy by seniors and retirees is approaching an all time high, according to the results of multiple studies and research.
The reason for this is that the economy is not particularly good right now, and seniors are the typical people living on a fixed income. As inflation occurs year after year, the amount of that fixed income does not keep pace with the rate of inflation. To compound this problem, health care costs have gone through the roof, and some pension plans have begun to put caps on the health care coverage of retired employees, and some companies have tried to cut that benefit out totally.
Senior Americans, more now than ever, are becoming increasingly overwhelmed by debt and financial obligations. One of the sad observations that comes as a result of this is noting that after being a part of the labor force for 30, 40 years or more, now is the time when the seniors should be able to kick back and enjoy life, but for many, that is not the reality they are facing. One estimate indicates that people age 55 and over account for about 22% of those filing for bankruptcy.
There are many reasons that seniors are facing this problem, and many of these things are not relegated to seniors. There is the skyrocketing cost of health care which also includes prescription drugs, and unfortunately, these become used more and more as people advance in years. Other necessities such as food, clothing are done on credit cards. A desire to help their children who may be struggling financially also plays a factor. Another large factor is unrealistic expectations of what income their pensions will provide, the benefits (or lack thereof) that their pensions include, and the extent to which Social Security plays a minor role in their income.
One way that many seniors have found temporary relief from this problem is to accept the offers of a credit card that seem to arrive by the truckload in every day's mail. Out of necessity, they get the credit cards, charge them to the hilt, and then when in the same situation next month, the process is repeated until it becomes a house of cards, which falls loudly. They are as helpless as anyone else as they see their savings erode even more quickly with the high interest rates charged by many of these credit cards.
One of the problems reported by bankruptcy lawyers in various cities is that in consulting with seniors about the financial problem, very few of them were willing to bring the problem out early, where bankruptcy alternatives could have played a role. It seems to be an attitude with this age group, where they would rather suffer than be embarrassed and swallow their pride.
The one thing that most people who are considering bankruptcy are not aware of, and this is particularly true of seniors, is that more often than not, they are not aware of bankruptcy alternatives. Bankruptcy should always be your very last resort, with all viable options thoroughly investigated prior to filing. A good bankruptcy lawyer will help with that.
The reason for this is that the economy is not particularly good right now, and seniors are the typical people living on a fixed income. As inflation occurs year after year, the amount of that fixed income does not keep pace with the rate of inflation. To compound this problem, health care costs have gone through the roof, and some pension plans have begun to put caps on the health care coverage of retired employees, and some companies have tried to cut that benefit out totally.
Senior Americans, more now than ever, are becoming increasingly overwhelmed by debt and financial obligations. One of the sad observations that comes as a result of this is noting that after being a part of the labor force for 30, 40 years or more, now is the time when the seniors should be able to kick back and enjoy life, but for many, that is not the reality they are facing. One estimate indicates that people age 55 and over account for about 22% of those filing for bankruptcy.
There are many reasons that seniors are facing this problem, and many of these things are not relegated to seniors. There is the skyrocketing cost of health care which also includes prescription drugs, and unfortunately, these become used more and more as people advance in years. Other necessities such as food, clothing are done on credit cards. A desire to help their children who may be struggling financially also plays a factor. Another large factor is unrealistic expectations of what income their pensions will provide, the benefits (or lack thereof) that their pensions include, and the extent to which Social Security plays a minor role in their income.
One way that many seniors have found temporary relief from this problem is to accept the offers of a credit card that seem to arrive by the truckload in every day's mail. Out of necessity, they get the credit cards, charge them to the hilt, and then when in the same situation next month, the process is repeated until it becomes a house of cards, which falls loudly. They are as helpless as anyone else as they see their savings erode even more quickly with the high interest rates charged by many of these credit cards.
One of the problems reported by bankruptcy lawyers in various cities is that in consulting with seniors about the financial problem, very few of them were willing to bring the problem out early, where bankruptcy alternatives could have played a role. It seems to be an attitude with this age group, where they would rather suffer than be embarrassed and swallow their pride.
The one thing that most people who are considering bankruptcy are not aware of, and this is particularly true of seniors, is that more often than not, they are not aware of bankruptcy alternatives. Bankruptcy should always be your very last resort, with all viable options thoroughly investigated prior to filing. A good bankruptcy lawyer will help with that.
Related Tags: bankruptcy, bankruptcy lawyer, filing bankruptcy, bankruptcy options, bankruptcy alternatives
To get more insights and a free bankruptcy evaluation from an bankruptcy lawyer who is local to you and familiar with the laws in your state, please visit our Bankruptcy Information web site at www.bankruptcy-info.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Secrets to Getting Low Down Payment Car Insurance
Upon purchase of a new car, there is almost always a requirement to buy an auto insurance policy as - The Wisdom Behind Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes
No one in his right mind would not go for a good deal. In fact, everyone is out on their feet and ru - The Benefits of Auto Insurance Comparisons Florida
Insurance can be expensive. This is something everyone knows about especially in the sunny state of - Auto Insurance Florida: The No-Fault Policy
There are different kinds of car insurance offered by a wide range of providers today. Different sta - Finding the Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies
Everyone is asking and searching for the cheapest auto insurance companies available today. Consider - How do You Compare Private Health Insurance Cover in Australia?
Deciding what is the best and most affordable private health insurance cover can be easy if you take - How Payment Protection Insurance Was Mis-Sold
For over six years the issue of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) and how it was mis-sold to custom - Finding Quotes For Auto Insurance Online
One of the many concerns when you are shopping for auto insurance is being able to get access to quo - How You Can Find the Best Auto Insurance Online
When it comes to renewing your car insurance you are going to quickly discover that there are a numb - Guidelines For Searching For Auto Insurance Online
The internet can be a great source of discounts and values related to auto insurance. However, many
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Trading Forex With Pivot Points
Forex Pivot Point Trading are used today by Forex Traders and are calculated on the previous days mo - Where To Search For Free Grants
Where do you look for free grants? The search must be thorough or it could be an exercise in futilit - The Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Salt
We are a society of Salt Addicts. It cannot be denied. When you look at the things we do and the pla - Tips For Avoiding HYIP Scams
Before knowing about HYIP Scams, refer to the functioning of HYIP or "High Yield Investment Programs - Getting Credit After Bankruptcy
Consumers do not have to live sans credit following a bankruptcy. By following certain steps consume - Tips For Choosing A Credit Card
Are you looking for that perfect credit card? If so, you may be confused about what exactly to look - Cheap Car Insurance For Teens Online
Many elements determine a car insurance policy. Car insurance companies look at the person's age, hi - What Exactly Is Free Grant Money?
You can apply for free grant money from various government agencies. But where exactly does this mon - Small Business Owners Marketing and Customer Service
Marketing can be time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be hugely expensive now, thanks to the Inter - Apply Online For A Credit Card - How To Choose A Card?
The best type of credit card for you will be dependant on how you intend to use the credit card. Are