The Right Questions to ask a Boss

Knowing what is important to your boss may affect how you’ll do at a company or in a particular department. Her surroundings can tell you a lot, too, like whether she’s serious (door closed, pristine office) or more relaxed (open door, pictures of her kids and dog on her desk).

What to Ask

source: realsimple.com

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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 7:30 am by salaryfor.com · Permalink · Leave a comment
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The 10 Best Affordable Places to Retire

Even if you are just getting ready to head to college for the first time, it is never too early to start thinking about retirement. After all, for most of us, the goal is to have a career that provides us with personal satisfaction while also providing us with the financial security to ultimately enjoy a comfortable retirement. If you are already thinking ahead to retirement, U.S. News has released a list that will be interesting to you – America’s Best Affordable Places to Retire. Here’s a look at the locations that made the list.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan is lively college town that is bustling with art fairs, concerts, sporting events, lectures, museums, courses and other attractions, many of which can be accessed for free. So, if you are looking for a place to retire where you can remain active, this is the place to go. To make it even better, Seniors receive free bus service as well as discounted taxi rides. Despite the fact that it is located only 40 miles west of Detroit, the economy has held up much better in Ann Arbor. Yet, the amenities of the big city are still within easy reach, including the metro airport, which offers nonstop flights to most large cities. The one draw back to Ann Arbor? Winter. The winters in the city can be quite snowy and cold. For those who enjoy the changing seasons, however, this may be viewed as more of a perk than a downside.

Asheville, North Carolina

Located in amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina is at least two hours away from any major city. Nonetheless, the city is filled with cultural activities, many of which are available for free or at low cost. The city is also home to some amazing architecture, including the Spanish Baroque Basilica of St. Lawrence, the Art Deco city hall and the neo-Gothic Jackson Building. Although real estate is a bit pricier in Asheville than in other cities of its size, the lifestyle is quite affordable and the scenery is magnificent.

Aurora, Colorado

Home to seven golf courses, nine colleges and universities and 10,000 acres of parks, Aurora is located right next to Denver, but doesn’t come at the same price. In fact, in 2008, the median home price in Aurora was $138,000 – a full $40,000 less than the much pricier Denver. The Aurora Center for Active Adults is one of the city’s best attractions for retirees, as it offers a variety of activities for free or at a nominal cost. The climate is another major draw, as the sun is shining 300 days out of the year in Aurora and the humidity is low. Despite its large size, Aurora also manages to maintain the “homey” feel that is commonly found in small towns. With its extensive transportation systems and well-maintained bike trails, it is also easy for residents to get around – even if they don’t have a car.

Columbia, South Carolina

Located less than two hours from Charleston and 1 ½ hours from Charlotte, North Carolina, there is no denying that the location of Columbia, South Carolina is one of its greatest draws. With a median home price of just $147,000 and with the average property taxes coming in at a little more than $1,000, Columbia is certainly an affordable place to purchase real estate. Thanks to the University of South Carolina being located in the city as well as several hospital systems and an active senior center, there are also plenty of activities available for residents to enjoy.

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio offers abundant green spaces as well as numerous low-cost activities for its residents to enjoy. As the home of Ohio State University as well as the Ohio Theatre, which is the state’s businesses arts venue, retirees can easily keep their minds active and entertained. The Columbus Zoo, which is the top-ranked zoo in the nation, can also be found in the city, as well as numerous sporting venues, museums and more.

Eugene, Oregon

Filled with natural beauty, Eugene, Oregon has a laid-back atmosphere that is perfect for retirees. Recreational opportunities abound, as do opportunities for enjoying cultural attractions. Hiking clubs and other organizations for those who enjoy the outdoors are found in abundance, while summer brings forth a substantial amount of entertainment opportunities as well. Live theater performances, outdoor movies, concerts and marching band provide entertainment on a regular basis. Although the median home price of the area is a bit on the steep side, you can buy a nice two-story home near the RiverRidge Golf Course as well as the Willamette River at a reasonable price o $170,000.

Thanks to the extensive bike trail system, you can ride just about anywhere you want to go. Or, for those who are 65 and older, bus rides are free.

Fort Worth, Texas

The midsize city of Fort Worth, Texas offers the low-key atmosphere of a small town while offering the amenities of a large city. Originally founded as one of the stops along the Chisholm Trail cattle drives, Fort Worth is filled with history and culture. Numerous museums can be enjoyed within the city, such as the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum and even the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Locals also report that Fort Worth offers retirees ample opportunities to get involved with the community, largely due to the engaged local government.

Jacksonville, Florida

Old blends with the new in Jacksonville, Florida, where retirees can enjoy access to a whole host of affordable activities throughout the year. Despite the fact that Jacksonville is Florida’s fourth largest metro area, the city doesn’t have the feel of a big city. Compared with the rest of the state, Jacksonville is far less expensive. While the median home price of a home in Fort Lauderdale is $275,900, the median price of a home in Jacksonville is just $150,500. The lower cost is largely due to the fact that Jacksonville has never been a tourist destination, which is just fine by those who live there.

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri features a lively music scene as well as a level of affordability that is hard to beat. In fact, the median home price is a reasonable $118,000, which is about 20% less than the national average. Free concerts are regularly held in the parks while numerous additional cultural opportunities abound throughout the rest of the city, particularly within the Crossroads Arts District.

Tucson, Arizona

The numerous outdoor offerings available throughout Tucson, Arizona are among the many reasons why many choose to retire in this scenic southern city. Although the temperatures can edge up toward 100 degrees, many of Tucson’s residents see the weather as one of the city’s biggest perks. Furthermore, purchasing a home is fairly inexpensive, particularly for those who are interested in purchasing a manufactured home within one of the city’s many over-55 communities. With most of the homes selling for $15,000 to $30,000, these homes can fit in nearly anybody’s budget.

source: topcolleges.com

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Salaries and Benefits of US Congress Members

U.S. Congress salaries and benefits have been the source of taxpayer unhappiness and myths over the years. Here are some facts for your consideration.

Rank-and-File Members:
The current salary (2010) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year.

  • Members are free to turn down pay increase and some choose to do so.
  • In a complex system of calculations, administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, congressional pay rates also affect the salaries for federal judges and other senior government executives.
  • During the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin considered proposing that elected government officials not be paid for their service. Other Founding Fathers, however, decided otherwise.
  • From 1789 to 1855, members of Congress received only a per diem (daily payment) of $6.00 while in session, except for a period from December 1815 to March 1817, when they received $1,500 a year. Members began receiving an annual salary in 1855, when they were paid $3,000 per year.

Congress: Leadership Members’ Salary (2010)
Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-and-file members.

Senate Leadership
Majority Party Leader – $193,400
Minority Party Leader – $193,400

House Leadership
Speaker of the House – $223,500
Majority Leader – $193,400
Minority Leader – $193,400

A cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase takes effect annually unless Congress votes to not accept it.

Benefits Paid to Members of Congress

You may have read that Members of Congress do not pay into Social Security. Well, that’s a myth.

Prior to 1984, neither Members of Congress nor any other federal civil service employee paid Social Security taxes. Of course, the were also not eligible to receive Social Security benefits. Members of Congress and other federal employees were instead covered by a separate pension plan called the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The 1983 amendments to the Social Security Act required federal employees first hired after 1983 to participate in Social Security. These amendments also required all Members of Congress to participate in Social Security as of January 1, 1984, regardless of when they first entered Congress. Because the CSRS was not designed to coordinate with Social Security, Congress directed the development of a new retirement plan for federal workers. The result was the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986.

Members of Congress receive retirement and health benefits under the same plans available to other federal employees. They become vested after five years of full participation.

Members elected since 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS). Those elected prior to 1984 were covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). In 1984 all members were given the option of remaining with CSRS or switching to FERS.

As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants’ contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxes.

Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they’ve completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Members of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension.

The amount of a congressperson’s pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.

According to the Congressional Research Service, 413 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service as of Oct. 1, 2006. Of this number, 290 had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $60,972. A total of 123 Members had retired with service under both CSRS and FERS or with service under FERS only. Their average annual pension was $35,952 in 2006.

source: About.com

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