Your Money

Doomscrolling, also called doom-surfing, is the act of spending an excessive amount of time reading large quantities of negative news online. It's a normal and fascinating example of how human brains are wired to screen for and anticipate danger. We have a natural bias to consume negative news.

Marketers, newsmakers, and algorithm writers know this and use it as "clickbait" (content whose main purpose is to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link to a particular web page).  However, it can lead to excess stress due to the belief that there is more danger present than there actually is.

Common among these doomsday headlines is the fate of Social Security (SS) and when it will go bankrupt. When the SS program's finances are referenced negatively in the news, workers tend to report a desire to claim benefits earlier, according to a study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Now, more Americans are claiming SS years before full retirement age out of fear their benefits will be cut when the program runs short on cash. They take a substantial discount to their full benefit when doing so. In contrast, delaying benefits offers an 8% yearly increase until age 70.

While financial hardships or family health history may cause an early benefit election, the math favors taking SS benefits at 70 when monthly benefits (before cost-of-living adjustments) are 76% higher than at age 62.

Fear Over Social Security's Future Leads Some to Claim Retirement Benefits Early
by Anne Tergesen

Your Life

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults can cause forgetfulness. However, there may be other reasons for memory loss. This article explores ways to tell whether it’s ADHD or something else like mental health issues, lack of sleep, lack of vitamins, alcohol or drug use, prescription and OTC meds, menopause, underactive/overactive thyroid, or more serious brain injuries or illnesses. Clues to delve into include when the problem started, what has changed, any other symptoms, and what kinds of things are being forgotten. ADHD and dementia can be easily confused, so checking with your doctor is essential. Many causes of memory loss are temporary and treatable. If it turns out your memory issues are a symptom of your ADHD, things can still be done.

Is Memory Loss ADHD, or Something Else?
by Stephanie Langmaid

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