Finding Help : Financial/Legal

Financial calculators, legal services, and advance directive forms to assist with planning for retirement and end-of-life care.

Click on the resource names listed below to view details and contact information

AARP information on reverse mortgages

Articles, advice, and cautions regarding reverse mortgages — a financial mechanism often marketed to older adults that allows them to convert part of their homes’ equity into cash.


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Advance Directive Form

A legal document that informs medical personnel what medical care is acceptable to you if you become too sick to inform them yourself. Includes a designation for a medical Power of Attorney and a Do-Not-Resuscitate directive.


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Calculate effect of retirement earnings on Social Security benefits

How will retirement earnings affect your Social Security benefits? Use this calculator from the Social Security Administration’s Chief Actuary to determine how money you earn after retirement will affect your monthly benefits. Read: How work affects Social Security retirement payments.


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Check It Out hotline

A toll-free number that allows seniors to get a second opinion on offers that may seem too good to be true, including contracts, solicitations, major purchases, and gifts.


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  • Phone: 1-877-353-3771

Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans

The Extra Help program contributes to the costs of prescription drug plans under Medicare.

Fill out this form to see if you are eligible.


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FBI tips for fraud protection

The Federal Bureau of Investigation provides these tips on how seniors can protect themselves against fraud.


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Federal benefits finder

This questionnaire is for all ages but allows you to chose the type of benefits (such as Social Security/retirement) that you are looking for. If you are older and looking for food/nutrition or disability aid (for example), the site will provide age-appropriate answers.

Fill out the extensive questionnaire and the site will provide a list a benefits for which you might benefit.


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Long-term care insurance: Should you buy it?

This calculator from The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants will help you decide whether it is financially possible and prudent to buy long-term care insurance.

Read Consumer Reports on long-term care coverage. (2012)

Institute of Certified Public Accountants


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Maine Legal Services for the Elderly

Free legal services for low-income seniors (aged 60+).


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Maine Office of the Attorney General: Elder Issues

Hotlines and reporting numbers for reporting elder abuse and violations at nursing facilities and assisted living programs.


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Senior Medicare Patrol

An office of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services dedicated to identify and reduce fraud and abuse in Medicare and MaineCare programs.


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Social Security: Benefits for spouses based on retirement date

Depending on when you retire, the benefits your spouse may be eligible for will change. Use this calculator from the Social Security Administration to see how retiring early or later might affect your spouse’s benefits.


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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Personal Finance

Q&A with financial experts, personal finance webinars, and online lessons on financial topics.


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