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10 best places to retire on Social Security alone

By WTOP Staff

Stretching Social Security payments

The average Social Security benefit for retired workers was $1,294 per month at the end of 2013. A couple who each brought in this amount would have $31,056 in annual Social Security benefits. How far that amount goes largely depends on where you live. U.S. News Money analyzed Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data to determine that a couple age 65 and older could cover their basic expenses, including typical costs for housing, food, utilities, transportation and health care, with their Social Security income in these cities:

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Senior citizen renters pay a median of $686 monthly to live in Albuquerque. Homeowners age 65 and older pay a median of $1,078 per month if they have a mortgage and just $368 monthly if they have paid off the mortgage. There are six senior centers where people age 50 and older can become members for just $13 a year.

Austin, Texas

The low housing costs in Texas are drawing people to the state. A home in Austin costs retirees a median of $1,395 monthly with a mortgage and $545 if they own their home debt-free. The median rent for retirees age 65 and older is $887 monthly. Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, but it’s important to carefully consider the property tax you might face on any home purchase.

Buffalo, New York

If you can tolerate the cold and snowy winters, you’ll be rewarded with a very low cost of living. Senior citizens age 65 and older pay just $466 monthly in housing costs if they have paid off their mortgages, $1,009 monthly if they are still paying off their home and $611 in monthly rent. The City of Buffalo also provides a senior discount card that entitles retirees to a percentage off their purchases when they shop at local businesses.

Columbia, South Carolina

South Carolina residents age 60 and older who are no longer working are eligible for free tuition at the University of South Carolina. Seniors can also get discount tickets to the Riverbanks Zoo and Columbia Museum of Art. Housing remains affordable, costing retirees $1,074 monthly with a mortgage, $367 with a paid-off house or $801 in monthly rent.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

This small city is known for its outsized art scene, which includes the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts and the art competition ArtPrize. Retirees age 65 and older pay just $684 monthly in rent. Older homeowners pay $1,080 monthly with a mortgage and $427 per month if their house is paid off.

Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville offers balmy winters similar to other parts of Florida, but at much more affordable prices. Retirees age 65 and older pay a median rent of just $861 per month. Older homeowners pay a median of $1,247 per month if they have a mortgage, which drops significantly to $405 once they pay off the house. An added bonus: There’s no state income tax in Florida.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has several professional sports teams, noteworthy museums, major colleges and the UPMC-University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which is ranked 13th in the country in geriatrics. But housing prices remain affordable, costing senior citizens a median of $1,023 monthly with a mortgage, $434 when they have paid off their house or $614 per month in rent. Plus, residents age 65 or over ride free on the bus, T or Monongahela Incline.

Spokane, Washington

The Spokane River flows through downtown Spokane and can be enjoyed at Riverfront Park, one of the city’s numerous recreation areas for hiking and biking. Washington state does not have an individual income tax, and housing in retirement is affordable, costing just $419 monthly with a paid-off house and $1,139 monthly with a mortgage. The median rent for people age 65 and older is $733 monthly.

St. Louis

Home costs for seniors are $1,115 monthly with a mortgage and $434 per month with a paid-off house, while renters pay a median of $664 monthly in rent. There are also affordable local services to transport retirees to doctor appointments and the grocery store and help with minor home repairs and chores. The Barnes- Jewish Hospital/Washington University is nationally ranked in geriatrics.

Tucson, Arizona

Retirees can take in the enormous cactuses at Saguaro National Park, where U.S. citizens age 62 or older can get a lifetime pass to this and other national parks for just $10. Yet this sunny city remains affordable. Monthly rent for people 65 and older is a median of $771. Older homeowners pay $1,095 monthly with a mortgage, but that drops significantly to $366 for people who have paid off their homes. Plus, the state of Arizona doesn’t tax Social Security income.

More from U.S. News

10 Numbers Everyone Should Know About Social Security

10 Social Security Mistakes to Avoid

12 Ways to Increase Your Social Security Payments

10 Best Places to Retire on Social Security Alone originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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