Michael D. Thomas – författare

How could authors not write about the effects of a civil war that tore their nation in two, that divided and destroyed families and friends? They had to tell the story, though they were carefully scrutinized and censored. How could they resist artistically and present alternate voices and visions for the future? Writing is resistance, remembering is resistance. Writing is remembering and selecting those memories that, in these authors’ view, have intense significance in the formation of the self. Sender, Delibes, Laforet, Matute, and Martín Gaite have left a legacy of confrontation and hope. Coming of Age in Franco’s Spain studies the social and psychological damage of the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War and identifies an aesthetic of resistance, a portrayal of emerging adults who rebel with courage and caring that even more mature adults do not show. Whereas the Fascists engaged in the process of «othering», considering certain groups to be enemies, sub-human, deserving death, meriting bondage in slavery, these novels describe protagonists who learn to reach out to «the other». They advocate treatment of the marginalized and persecuted in a manner diametrically opposed to the policies and practices of the Franco Regime. The positive message conveyed is that the human spirit was not completely crushed by the Fascists’ mandate to make all Spanish citizens conform to the Regime’s own «values», but these authors advocate authenticity, creative freedom, universal values, all alive and well, even in the darkest of times; they crafted a blueprint for hope through complexities of the narrative art.

Help your clients maximize their Social Security & Medicare benefits! Social Security & Medicare Facts is a one-stop guide for attorneys, CPAs, and retirement and financial planning professionals for advising on tax and policy changes affecting Social Security and Medicare. Organized in a unique and convenient question and answer format, this book helps professionals find exactly what they're looking for quickly and easily to solve clients' important planning issues in a timely manner. Fundamentals of Writing a Financial Plan, Second Edition provides a totally revised and unique approach to helping aspiring financial planners write a comprehensive financial plan. The book outlines how the CFP Board of Standards, Inc. 7-step planning process can be applied when writing a comprehensive financial plan for an individual or family.

The book not only highlights various elements involved in comprehensive financial planning, including estate, tax, cash flow, education planning, and much more—but also introduces important behavioral perspectives and communication techniques. As a way to synthesize these pieces and learn how the plan writing process unfolds, students follow a running case—the Hubble family.

Details Section:

Updated numbers for 2024 Updated discussion of Social Security Trust Fund Solvency Added information about qualified aliens eligible for Social Security Greater coverage of Special Minimum benefit Updated retirement and survivor benefits Expanded coverage of state rules of Medicaid Updated costs and coverages A thorough review of the new 7-step systematic financial planning process. A description of the regulatory environment in which every financial planner operates. An in-depth discussion of client communication and counseling techniques. Financial planning approaches that can be applied to a variety of clients and client circumstances. A chapter-by-chapter focus on analytical tools and techniques that can be used to evaluate client data. An example of a complete written financial plan with explanations about how analyses lead to the recommendations. Chapter-based learning aids, including access to a fully integrated Financial Planning Analysis Excel package and other online support materials, including video examples of client communication and counseling strategies. Instructions on how to do calculations essential to creating a financial plan. Numerous self-test questions to test comprehension of material.

New in the 2024 Edition:

SOCIAL SECURITY GENERALLY

Updated discussion of Social Security Trust Fund Solvency Added information about qualified aliens eligible for Social Security COVID-19 updates Update of special monthly payment Update of earnings for Trial Work Period Updated Compassionate Allowance

COVERAGE

Updates to achieving quarters of coverage. Update to becoming fully insured. Proof required to file for benefits expanded. Right to appeal process expanded Expanded coverage of Social Security hearing process and rights

BENEFIT COMPUTATION

Greater coverage of Special Minimum benefit Changes in calculation of AIME Update to determining Primary Insurance Amount Changes to maximum family benefits Expansion of coverage of beneficiaries affected by GPO and WEP Update to Retirement Test Addition of questions regarding Grace Year/Non-Service Expansion of who must file annual report of earnings/who does not. New checklist of what events can lead to loss of benefits by type of beneficiary. Retired, Disabled, Spouse, Divorced Spouse, Child Under 18, Child 18 or 19 in school, Disabled Child, Widow/Widower, Disabled Widow/Widower, Surviving Divorced Spouse, Mother or Father, Surviving Divorced Mother or Father, Parent

TAXATION

Update on changes of state taxation of Social Security benefits Payroll tax amount updates Taxation of wages changes Update to coverage on “de minimus” Non-Cash tips as wages Current plans to increase payroll taxes for Social Security Planned modification of COLA calculations Explanation of how R-CPI-E works Plans to change PIA. Plans to increase special minimum benefits for lower wage individuals.

RAILROAD RETIREMENT

Updated retirement and survivor benefits End of Continued Assistance to Rail Workers Act How Military or Reserve service can count as creditable service. Expansion of definition of war/national emergency regarding creditable service Effect of Merchant Marine duty Changes in Tier I and Tier II benefits Expanded comparison of Railroad Retirement vs. Social Security New Section - Unemployment and Sickness benefits Update of RR retirement taxes Update coverage of taxation of benefit

BENEFITS TO SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS

Update to Thrift Savings Plan Update in military salaries Addition of Appeal process and correction of records Elimination of Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance New coverage of VA Healthcare including basic VA service Addition of PACT Act Updated Disability Benefits Changes to SGLI Changes to Veterans Insurance rates

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Update to COLA Discussion of Equal COLA Act and Fair COLA For Seniors Act Update of CSRS and FERS benefits Updated AD&D coverage Changes to Section 218 Agreements

MEDICARE

Updates costs and coverages Expanded coverages of Part B Changes made to Part D and elimination of 5% copay. Changes/modification to Telemedicine coverage Costs of Part A Costs of Part B Costs of Part D Updated coverage of assistance under QMB, QDWI Updated deductible amounts. Expanded coverage of Medicare Advantage Addition of new coverage of Mental Health benefits Expansion of organ transplant Coverages under Part B-ID New coverage of Part B Only Expanded coverage of ESRD Changes in MOOP Coverage of Part D Drug price negotiations Addition of expanded supplementary benefits until Medicare Advantage Updated costs and coverage of Medigap

MEDICAID

Expanded coverage of state rules of Medicaid Expanded coverage of PACE program New coverage of Medicare Part E programs

OTHER

All appendices updated.

Key Topics

Retirement and disability Same sex marriage Spousal benefits/ children's benefits Parental benefits Widower benefits Lump sum death benefits Railroad retirement Service member and veteran benefits Government employees Medicare and MedicaidCFP Board's 7-step financial planning process. Step-by-step guide to formulating a financial plan and presenting it to a client. Guides for different types of financial planning such as life insurance planning, long-term care insurance planning, and retirement planning. Comprehensive Hubble case.

2025 Social Security & Medicare Facts is a one-stop guide for attorneys, CPAs, and retirement and financial planning professionals to advise on tax and policy changes affecting Social Security and Medicare. Organized in a unique and convenient Q&A format - featuring 754 Social Security Q&As and 362 Medicare Q&As - this book helps professionals find exactly what they're looking for quickly and easily to solve clients' important planning issues in a timely manner.

New in the 2025 Edition:

Continuing effects of the Inflation Reduction Act on Medicare Part D and Part D Drug Costs Addition of coverage of Part A as second payer and explanations of situations of dual coverage Expanded coverage of Home Health Care Addition of Community Health Integration Services, coverage of RSV/Shingles, Caregiver training, and Principal Case Management and Principal Illness Navigator coverage in Part B Expanded coverage of Part B services and non-coverages Ending sales incentives for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans Requirement that MA providers provide mid-year notification to policyholders of unused benefits Part B Only coverages Inflation Reduction Act Part D changes to out-of-pocket expenses, changes to Part D base premium, Part D cost-sharing, and spending caps Elimination of the Part D “Donut Hole” Elimination of the Part D Coverage Gap Discount Program Part D drug price negotiations to lower prescription costs Changes in MOOP Changes to Medicaid Expansion, PACE, and Long-Term Care programs in Medicaid Expanded coverage of Durable Medical Equipment coverage Expanded coverage of compassionate allowances in Social Security Continued expansion of Social Security hearing and appeals processes Updated coverage of the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) New checklist of what events can lead to loss of benefits by each type of beneficiary New coverage of effect of loss of citizenship/permanent resident alien status on Social Security and ability of non-resident aliens to collect Enhanced coverage of the impact of divorce and remarriage on Social Security eligibility and benefits Effect of MACRA on Medigap Expanded coverage of Medigap plans for Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin Expanded coverage of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Continued changes in state taxation of Social Security benefits “De minimus” coverage expansion Coverage of potential changes in Social Security because of R-CPE-E Potential changes in calculation of Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) Plans to increase special minimum benefits for lower wage beneficiaries Expanded coverage of methods for curing overpayments from Social Security and SSDI Expanded coverage of non-covered items and services by Medicare Changes in coverages and costs under Medicare Advantage, Medicare gap policies, and Medicare appeals Updated coverage of disability, retirement, and survivor benefits for Social Security, military, government, and railroad workers Update in how military service, reserve duty, and merchant marine duty can affect railroad creditable service Expanded coverage of Railroad Retirement Unemployment and Illness benefits Changes in railroad worker coverage and the differences from Social Security Expanded coverage of Medicare appeals process Updated Medigap policy coverages and costs Additional coverage of military retirement including expansion of coverage of the new blended retirement program, military disability pay, and coverage for National Guard and Reservists, including the effect of the CARES Act on the TSP program Effect of the elimination of the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance for Service Members and Veterans Changes to SGLI and disability benefits Effect of the PACT Act on Veterans coverage Changes in Survivor Benefit Plan – Dependency Indemnity Compensation 2025 inflation-adjusted numbers for Social Security and COLA increases

Key Topics covered:

Updating of the solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund and Disability fund Social Security application process How Social Security retirement and disability benefits are determined Effects of other types of income on Social Security benefits How to incorporate Social Security and Medicare benefits into planning techniques Social Security filing and tax requirements Explanations of Medicare coverage details Filing and timing requirements for Medicare coverage Update of the available Medicare Advantage plans and coverages Updated Medicare claims and appeals process Medigap insurance coverage Additional coverages including dual eligibility, the PACE programs, and other coverages History and background of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

2026 Social Security & Medicare Facts is the premier one-stop guide for attorneys, CPAs, and retirement and financial planning professionals to advise on tax and policy changes affecting Social Security and Medicare. Structured in a unique and user-friendly Q&A format with over 1,100 entries, this book enables professionals to swiftly locate precise solutions to address clients' important planning issues efficiently.This book features:Enhanced discussion of strategies with updated insights on planning techniques to optimize your clients' Social Security benefitsChanges related to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid coveragesUpdated questions addressing coverage, benefits, costs, taxation, computation, and maximization of benefitsAdjustments resulting from the One Big Beautiful Bill ActSignificant modifications to Medicare, especially Part D, with the elimination of the "e;donut hole"e; changes in cost sharing and out-of-pocket, elimination of the Coverage Gap Discount Program, as well as the negotiated lower prices for certain Part D drugsNew in the 2026 Edition:Changes effected by the Trump Administration and the 119th Congress, including the changes to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid by the "e;One Big Beautiful Bill"e;Continuing effects of the Inflation Reduction Act on Medicare Part D and Part D Drug CostsHigher Part B and Part D programsIncrease in out-of-pocket Part D prescription drug costsAddition of coverage of Part A as the second payer and explanations of situations of dual coverageExpanded coverage of Home Health CareAdditional Community Health Integration Services, coverage of RSV/Shingles, Caregiver training, and Principal Case Management and Principal Illness Navigator coverage in Part BExpanded coverage of Part B services and non-coveragesEnding sales incentives for Medicare Advantage and Part D plansRequirement that Medicare Advantage providers provide mid-year notification to policyholders of unused benefitsAdditional Community Health Integration Services, coverage of RSV/Shingles, Caregiver training, and Principal Case Management and Principal Illness Navigator coverage in Part BExpanded coverage of Part B services and non-coveragesEnding sales incentives for Medicare Advantage and Part D plansRequirement that Medicare Advantage providers provide mid-year notification to policyholders of unused benefitsPart B only coveragesInflation Reduction Act Part D changes to out-of-pocket expenses, changes to Part D base premium, Part D cost-sharing, and spending capsPart D drug price negotiations to lower prescription costsChanges in MOOPChanges to Medicaid Expansion, PACE, and Long-Term Care programs in MedicaidExpanded coverage of Durable Medical Equipment coverageExpanded coverage of compassionate allowances in Social SecurityContinued expansion of Social Security hearing and appeals processesUpdated coverage of the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)New checklist of what events can lead to loss of benefits by each type of beneficiaryNew coverage of the effect of loss of citizenship/permanent resident alien status on Social Security and the ability of non-resident aliens to collectEnhanced coverage of the impact of divorce and remarriage on Social Security eligibility and benefitsEffect of MACRA on MedigapExpanded distinct coverage of Medigap plans for Massachusetts, Minnesota, and WisconsinExpanded coverage of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)Continued changes in state taxation of Social Security benefits"e;De minimus"e; coverage expansionCoverage of potential changes in Social Security because of R-CPE-EPotential changes in the calculation of Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)Plans to increase special minimum benefits for lower-wage beneficiariesExpanded coverage of methods for curing overpayments from Social Security and SSDIExpanded coverage of non-covered items and services by MedicareChanges in coverage and costs under Medicare Advantage, Medicare gap policies, and Medicare appealsUpdated coverage of disability, retirement, and survivor benefits for Social Security, military, government, and railroad workersUpdate in how military service, reserve duty, and merchant marine duty can affect railroad creditable serviceExpanded coverage of Railroad Retirement Unemployment and Illness benefitsChanges in railroad worker coverage and the differences from Social SecurityExpanded coverage of the Medicare appeals processUpdated Medigap policy coverages and costsAdditional coverage of military retirement, including expansion of coverage of the new blended retirement program, military disability pay, and coverage for National Guard and Reservists, including the effect of the CARES Act on the TSP programEffect of the elimination of the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance for Service Members and VeteransChanges to SGLI and disability benefitsEffect of the PACT Act on Veterans' coverageChanges in Survivor Benefit Plan - Dependency Indemnity Compensation Increase in Full Retirement AgeAmount subject to maximum taxable earningsElimination of paper checksCost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)2026 inflation-adjusted numbers for Social Security and COLA increases

Co-Parenting 101 is based on the premise that co-parenting is a must, not an option. The involvement of both parents- not just the primary guardian-is the cornerstone of successful co-parenting. This is the first book written by a formerly married couple for whom co-parenting is central to their day to day lives, and it offers a comprehensive, personal, and upfront look at how to effectively raise kids with an ex-spouse.Authors Deesha Philyaw and Michael D. Thomas, the creators of the popular co-parenting website, coparenting101. org, share their own experiences raising their children together, as well as provide professional advice from co-parenting experts. Through practical tips combined with expert parental strategies, this book a great resource for divorced parents with children.For parents, less time stressed out about legal wrangling means more time to be fully present and engaged with the children. By learning to put their animosity aside, parents can focus on putting their kids first.