Download the Retirement Navigation Organizations & Resources in PDF format
These national organizations and official websites are the authoritative places to confirm the figures, rules, and programs in this book. Prefer these primary sources over general search results, and remember that phone numbers and web addresses can change; when one does not work, search for the organization by name.
D.1 Social Security and Medicare
Social Security Administration (ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213): benefits, the my Social Security account, claiming estimates, survivor and family benefits, and Form SSA-44.
Medicare (medicare.gov; 1-800-MEDICARE): enrollment, plan comparison (the Plan Finder), coverage, appeals, and the current premiums and IRMAA tiers.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (cms.gov): the agency behind Medicare and Medicaid and their official rules.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (shiphelp.org): free, unbiased local Medicare counseling (see Appendix C).
Medicare Rights Center (medicarerights.org): independent help understanding Medicare and appealing denials.
D.2 Taxes and Retirement Accounts
Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov): tax brackets, RMD rules and the Uniform Lifetime Table, Roth conversion and QCD rules, and current dollar limits.
IRS Free File and Interactive Tax Assistant (irs.gov): tools for estimating taxes, including on Social Security benefits.
D.3 Checking Advisors and Insurers
FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org): a broker’s background, licenses, and disciplinary history.
SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure
(adviserinfo.sec.gov): an investment adviser’s record and Form ADV.
CFP Board (cfp.net): verify a Certified Financial Planner’s certification and standing.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (naic.org): find your state insurance department to check an agent or insurer and file complaints.
AM Best and other rating agencies: check an insurer’s financial strength before buying an annuity or long-term care policy.
D.4 Reporting Fraud and Financial Exploitation
Federal Trade Commission (reportfraud.ftc.gov): report scams and identity theft; recovery steps at identitytheft.gov.
Social Security Office of the Inspector General (oig.ssa.gov): report Social Security impersonation scams.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov): report internet-enabled fraud.
Adult Protective Services (via eldercare.acl.gov): report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an older
adult.
AARP Fraud Watch Network (aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork): scam alerts and a free help line.
D.5 Aging, Long-Term Care, and Caregiving
Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov; 1-800-677-1116): the front door to local aging services, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and Adult Protective Services.
National Council on Aging (ncoa.org; BenefitsCheckUp): find benefits and assistance programs you may qualify for.
National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
(theconsumervoice.org): residents’ rights and the Ombudsman
program.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(hud.gov): find a HUD-approved counselor, required before a reverse mortgage.
D.6 Pensions and Consumer Protection
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (pbgc.gov): whether your private pension is insured and the current guarantee limits.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov): guides on reverse mortgages, retirement, and financial fraud, and a complaint system.
National Academy of Social Insurance (nasi.org): plain-language explanations of Social Security and Medicare.
Web addresses, phone numbers, and program details change. If a link fails, search the organization by name, and treat the official site as the source of truth over any third party.
Appendix D online: clickable, always-current resource links.
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