For all the emotional stress a long term care stay can cause, the financial strain can be equally as disturbing. Despite decades-long diligent saving, an uninsured nursing home stay can wipe out a substantial amount of a retiree's net worth.  Although many think Medicare or Medicaid will help them stave off financial hardship, the truth is far grimmer. Learn how long term care can wreck your retirement if you aren't careful.

As a result of the recent debt deal, everything - even Social Security - will be on the table as a possible way to close the enormous budget gap.

For most people, a mortgage is their biggest monthly bill.  Although few realize it at first, their mortgage also represents one of their biggest savings each month. Since a part - a growing part - of every mortgage payment represents the repayment of principal, part of that big monthly bill is actually savings.  At the end of the typical 30-year mortgage, you'll own your home free and clear.  Depending on what happens to the value of your home over that time, you might find yourself with quite an asset.

While a mortgage is certainly no substitute for a 401(k) or IRA, it's certainly better than that other big monthly bill - the credit card.

Is your mortgage part of your retirement plan?

Many of your Congressional representatives have been forced to show their true color as a result of the bickering and bartering over the new debt deal.  With that in mind, which political party do you think is doing the right thing for current retirees?  (I asked a very similar question about current retirees in a past poll.)