Devon Haynie
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Articles by Devon Haynie
I'm Fighting Cancer. Now I May Have to Fight to Keep My Doctors
Eleven days ago, I spent eight hours in a cancer center getting infusion therapy for recently diagnosed multiple myeloma – a type of blood cancer that is incurable but can be managed for years. When I got home, I opened my email and saw a note from the healthcare system home to many of my providers. AdventHealth, a rapidly growing health system in Florida, said its contract with UnitedHealth Group, my insurance provider, for certain Medicare Advantage plans would expire at the end of the year.
Why Losing Weight Is Harder After Age 50
When I was a teenager, I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and my belt size never wavered. But my entire adulthood has been one long diet. Now that I’m deep into my 50s, it’s harder to lose weight than ever. I don’t think I’m alone in that. After losing 45 pounds on a GLP-1, stopping because of the expense and then regaining 23 pounds, all I know is that I’m trying to fight both biology and carbs.
Exercise, Diet and the Overlooked Key to Healthy Aging
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Forget 'No Pain, No Gain.' After 50, Exercise Has a New Goal
When I was younger, I ran a couple of miles most days and often a 5K or more on weekends. Later, I turned to indoor soccer and kicked a ball around once or twice a week. I fully subscribed to the mantra of “no pain, no gain.” Turns out it was pain that made me stop, first from an arthritis-fueled bum knee and then eventually from a broken hip. But now there is new thinking about exercise – and it applies as early as the 50s and continues well into the 70s.
How to Save for Retirement While Paying for Everything Else
It’s not easy saving for retirement, especially when many other priorities compete for your money and attention. Putting money away for the future can become a burden when you’re also balancing other financial priorities like saving for a child’s college education, high credit card debt or just the ever-rising cost of life’s necessities such as gasoline and food.
An October Surprise Retirees Might Actually Like
If, like me, you live in Florida, you tend to want to skip over the hot summer months and hope for October, when the first signs of cooler weather show up in the Sunshine State. Make Your Inbox Smarter Sign up for these free email newsletters from U.S. News: Decision Points: Breaking down the news. Best Ahead: Preparing for your retirement. Invested: Advice, tips and news for investors. Getting In: The parent's playbook for college admissions. Higher Ground: Insights for higher education leaders.
Summer Travel Is Getting More Expensive. Here's How to Spend Less
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, Americans are about to celebrate another annual ritual: summer vacation. But this year, that mountain cabin getaway, family road trip to Disney or cruise down the Danube is likely to be more expensive than a year ago. Even as consumers cut back elsewhere in the face of inflation, demand for summer travel remains strong.
Inflation Is Forcing Americans to Rethink Retirement
I don’t have to tell you how bad inflation is. Just take a jaunt down to the nearest grocery store or gas station and you will come face to face with the highest prices since 2023. Inflation is a major worry of Americans, cutting into the retirement plans not only of seniors living on fixed incomes, but also those in their 50s still saving for their golden years. But even if you have a large nest egg, every percentage point increase in inflation reduces your return on investments.
How to Date After 50, According to Relationship Experts
You might not think you’d need a how-to guide for dating at 50, 60 or older. You’re smarter than you used to be. You’re well-adjusted. You’ve finally got your life together. Well, you’re older, anyway. But arguably, dating has never been harder. If you’re spending a lot of time at online dating sites, you’re probably wondering if you’re looking at an AI-generated profile created by a scammer – or one of a real person, who also used AI to dress up their grammar and their photos.
Should You Trust Dr. ChatGPT?
I admit that, when faced with an ailment or injury, I’ve occasionally chosen to consult “Dr. Google” over an actual medical professional. And I know that one reason Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei became involved in artificial intelligence was to explore the possibilities AI offered for medical diagnosis and treatment. So lately I’ve been wondering if AI chatbot models such as Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini are already good enough that we can rely on them for healthcare advice.
We’re Living Longer. We Need More Than Just Money to Retire
So you want to live to be 100? Or 90, even? There’s a decent chance you might. Although the absolute number of centenarians is small, there was a 149% increase in their total number from 1980 to 2020. The population of those 65 and older increased 118% in the same period. But is the nation ready for such a dramatic increase in those living longer? More importantly, are you?
The 401(k): A Retirement Ticket to Ride
The 401(k) has been arguably one of the most successful tools in preparing people for retirement. Since its introduction in 1980, assets in the tax-deferred accounts – meaning you can save now and pay the taxes later – have soared to more than $10 trillion, both through increased participation and the overall rise in the stock market. An estimated two-thirds of Americans are covered by a 401(k).
I’ve Owned Five Dogs — Here’s What to Know About Having Pets in Retirement
I’ve always been a dog person. Since I was a teenager, I’ve owned five dogs – one collie, three golden retrievers and now one pit bull-terrier mix. The current one, appropriately named Hope, was a constant companion during my recovery last year from surgery. I felt as if she was my guardian angel. Tim Smart Hope, Tim's very cute faithful companion. Despite my own devotion to dogs, I was surprised to see the broader trend for my generation is moving in the opposite direction.
What I’ve Learned After a Year Covering Retirement
We launched this newsletter a year ago at the end of March 2025. How time flies! With about 50 columns under my belt, I thought it might be a good moment to thank you for your continued readership and offer some reflections on what I’ve learned and what you’ve taught me. It’s Not One Size Fits All A good retirement means something different for everyone – that’s the main takeaway. We all are finding our way in a world where work does not define us or set out our daily schedules.
I Asked My 104-Year-Old Grandmother for Her Secrets to a Long Life. Here’s Her Advice.
The average life expectancy for a woman in the U.S. is about 81 years. That means my grandmother, Anna, is about two decades ahead of the curve. In 2020, there were only about 80,000 Americans who were 100 or older – roughly two out of every 10,000 people – and most of those were just 100 or 101. She turned 104 this past January, surrounded by family in the meticulously maintained Houston home where she has lived independently for years.
Don’t Wait for an Emergency: How to Prepare for a Hospital Stay Now
Over the past year, I’ve had some up-close and personal experiences at hospitals. It’s not something I recommend, but the good news is that the visits have ended with positive outcomes. Last May, I fractured my hip and spent five days in the hospital following an ambulance ride to the emergency room. Then recently, my wife had to be driven to the ER with what turned out to be a fractured foot. She had to wear a boot for two weeks but now appears to be working her way back to normal.
How to Close the Retirement Gender Gap: Strategies for Women to Save More
Women have made strides toward equality in recent decades, rising to the top positions in corporate America and entering professions once only the preserve of males. But there’s a catch: as a group, they still earn roughly 83 cents for every dollar made by men. This limits their ability to save for retirement and reduces their future Social Security benefits.
AI Is Now Helping Scammers Target Older Americans
Artificial intelligence is heralded as the new thing, about to reinvent our lives and our work. Just the promise of it has driven the stock markets to new highs. I’m not sure we’ve exhausted the limits of human intelligence yet, but putting that aside, the promise of AI also brings with it some peril. Case in point: Financial services firms are now warning of harm from AI-assisted investments and other scams that are disproportionately aimed at seniors.
Your Brain on Music: How a Musical Hobby Can Rewire an Aging Mind
A week from now, my Alexandria, Virginia-based chorus, the Alexandria A Cappella Collective, will have one of its annual “Guest Nights,” and I’m already so excited that I can barely stand it. I hope a ton of people will come, and not because I want the chorus to grow or have a bigger audience. Those would be great, too, I admit, but the main reason for my excitement for more people to become involved in the chorus is because the science is so clear: Music is good for you.
What to Do When the Market Tests Your Retirement Plan
It takes discipline to stay on course with your retirement plan. I’m no stranger to the angst that comes with market selloffs – and I’m sure you’ve felt it during your share of dips, too. Recent studies confirm that people often panic when stocks go down by a sizable amount and especially when a downtrend continues. Market volatility – including last week’s 871-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average over renewed tariff threats – can be hard to stomach.
What Do the Markets Have in Store for Retirees in 2026?
Those saving for retirement or already retired and drawing income from an investment portfolio have had a good run these past few years. The S&P 500, a proxy for the stock market, returned about 16% in 2025, and its three-year, annualized return has been around 22%. Those are performances well above the average of many decades. So, What Will 2026 Bring?
Did 2025 Live Up to Your Retirement Expectations?
It’s almost Christmas, a time of well-worn rituals that we perform each year. This season, I am going to suggest a new one: taking stock of your retirement – or, if it’s still a few years off, your plans for the golden years ahead. It’s an exercise that should not have the weight of New Year’s resolutions. Rather, think of it as a reflection on the year past – a simple way to see what’s working, what isn’t, and whether your retirement is unfolding as you hoped.
The Sleep Advice Every Older Adult Needs to Hear
Lately, my work schedule has meant I’ve been burning the midnight oil at both ends. And, yes, my mixed metaphor was intentional. Because after several late worknights in a row, I was making mistakes exactly like that. I struggled to find the right words. I was clumsier than usual. My short-term memory was shot. My reasoning ability was about halved, and my mood grew darker by the hour.
The Important Talk to Have With Your Kids as You Age
It’s the conversation that millions of Americans of retirement age need to have but few do: sharing your plan for the remainder of your life and what you will leave behind for your children. Fidelity Investments’ 2025 Family and Finance Study found that 97% of those surveyed think having conversations about estate planning is important. But 68% of parents have not told their children what they will inherit. There may be good reasons for that.
How Older Adults Can Cope With the Holiday Blues
The holidays can be a stressful time for all, but especially so for older Americans as the challenges of entertaining family, shorter daylight hours and loneliness can all affect mental health. Feelings of anxiety or depression “definitely spike during the holidays,” says Dr. Kathleen Mueller, a family physician in Connecticut who serves on the board of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
How to Be Thankful in Retirement
Thanksgiving is but a few days away and that is often a time for reflection on what we have to be thankful for – and when it comes to aging, there are many things that make the list. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center provides a generally positive view about the aging process. “More Americans say people have control over their physical health and mobility as they grow older than over their mental sharpness or how old they look,” according to Pew.
How to Choose the Right Car as an Older Driver
I’ve been writing automotive reviews for more than twenty years, but helping my senior parents shop for a new car reminded me that the process looks a little different as we age. There are safe cars everywhere – but finding the right one requires thinking about comfort, accessibility and technology in a new way. Of course, the car must be reliable and affordable, and you still need to factor in the cost of service and repair.
Where Is the Best Place to Retire?
The latest version of the U.S. News Best Places to Retire rankings dropped last week, and they are – not surprisingly – kind to Florida. The Sunshine State bagged three top 10 spots and overall garnered 53 of the top 250 spots. On a personal note, my current hometown of Palm Coast came in at No. 9, while Homosassa Springs and Spring Hill are No. 3 and No. 7, respectively.
How to Plan for Retirement Before You Take the Plunge
Many of us have saved for years, or even decades, to ensure a retirement where we can live comfortably into our golden years. But is financial preparation alone enough? Experts suggest there is more to a fulfilling retirement than a healthy bank account and that it pays to begin preparing well before the actual time arrives. If you have an idea now of what you want out of retirement, it could help you develop a more realistic plan for the future.
I wanted a fresh start halfway across the country. Ten words from my grandma gave me the courage I needed to move. Original
In her 103 years on the planet, my grandmother has accumulated plenty of wisdom, but she keeps most of it to herself. If I were in my 10th decade of life, I'd be holding court constantly, dispensing advice to anyone who would listen. But my hunch is that my grandmother, whom my extended Southern family affectionately calls Mema, doesn't want to be presumptuous.
How the Generations Compare on Retirement Savings
Millennials often get a bad rap, unfortunately. But there is one way they are just edging out their baby boomer or Gen X parents: their preparation for retirement. And Gen Z could be in an even better position than millennials. That’s the latest retirement assessment from mutual fund giant Vanguard. Overall, the firm says that 42% of Americans are currently on track to achieving retirement security, defined as being able to live as comfortably in retirement as when working.
Confused by Medicare Advantage? Here’s How to Find the Right Plan
It’s that time of year again. No, not watching the leaves fall, carving pumpkins or fretting over a Halloween costume. It’s open enrollment time for Medicare. While maybe not as much fun as the typical autumnal routines, it is nonetheless important. I pride myself on being fairly good at deciphering complex subjects like Federal Reserve policy and investment options. But even I found the initial enrollment in my Medicare Advantage plan a challenge. And apparently I’m not alone.
You Are What You Think: The Power of a Positive Health Mindset
This summer, I’d noticed my hearing becoming worse, and, at the same time, I was having sinus issues and dizziness. Suspecting these things were related, I went to a new ear, nose and throat doctor to see what was going on. The physician dismissed my concerns and said I had mild hearing loss due to “normal wear and tear.” His medical opinion was that I should accept that I was getting old and my hearing would only worsen.
How Falling Interest Rates Can Affect Your Retirement Portfolio
Like many of you, I’ve been enjoying the benefits of a strong market over the last few years. It’s been a good stretch for those saving for retirement and those enjoying the fruits of their labor now that they are out of the 9-to-5 rat race. Rates on money market accounts hit a low point in 2021 as COVID-19 prompted the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in an effort to prop up an unknown economy.
Is it Better to Be a Night Owl or Morning Person?
For years, I rose in the dark, got ready and headed off bleary-eyed for a long commute to the office. But one saving grace was getting to see the sunrise most days. I did it out of necessity, to beat the traffic, but now that I can wake when I want, I still cherish the early hours. I am a morning person and have been most of my adult life.
How a Simple Library App Can Open You to the Joy of Audiobooks
I love books. If I go to a library or bookstore searching for a particular title, I invariably leave with three or four tucked under my arm. But I keep busy and am perennially overscheduled, so I admit that I often seem to buy more books than I actually read. I rarely have a leisurely afternoon when I can sit down and enjoy that new Harlan Coben mystery thriller, or I’m too tired at the end of a long day to sample a new book on my nightstand.
April in Paris? Why Not September?
Many people have little choice when they take their vacations. School and work schedules often dictate when folks can catch a break. I’ve always tried to avoid the crowds, trekking to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for Thanksgiving and early spring or taking a trip before Memorial Day to the English countryside where I spent my childhood. If you’re retired, you can pick pretty much any time of year to hit the road or board a plane.
Older Americans Are Working Longer - and Why Not?
Lately, I have found myself becoming a member of clubs I never wanted to join, such as being over 65 and succumbing to a fall that resulted in a fractured hip. But there is one group to which I belong that I am happy about and that is being an older person who is still working. It’s a trend that has been growing for some time and is likely to increase as America ages.
Worried About Retirement? You’re Not Alone.
I am a worrier at heart and have been all my life. Now approaching retirement, though, there’s been a change. Where once I lost sleep over saving enough money for retirement, now it’s whether the dollars will last as long as I do. That’s probably not unusual.
Why I Wanted a C-section, and Maybe You Should, Too
It took me months to find a doctor I could be honest with during my first pregnancy. Finally, late in my term, a handsome, 30-something doctor strutted into the exam room at my OB-GYN office in Washington, D.C., and he smiled like we’d been friends for years. I told him that my birth plan boiled down to one thing: drugs. I knew that once you get too close to delivery, you can run out of time to receive an epidural, and I was afraid I would miss the window for getting one.
In Kansas, the Shawnee vie for control of their history
Share Why We Wrote This Last year, the U.S. government apologized for trying to erase Native American culture in its policies toward Indian boarding schools. Indigenous tribes like the Shawnee want to tell the story from their perspective. Today the site is owned by the Kansas Historical Society, a state agency. Now called the Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site, it is run by officials in the city of Fairway.
In Kansas, Native Americans vie for control of their history
Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe based in Miami, Oklahoma, spends a lot of time thinking about Kansas. There, in a small town called Fairway, three red-brick buildings sit aging on land once allotted to his tribe. These Federal-style structures are what remain of what was once called the Shawnee Indian Manual Labor Boarding School.
Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and the Critical Latino Vote
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Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and the Critical Latino Vote
Trump has a habit of spewing hateful comments about immigrants. So why are some Latinos planning to vote for him? Trump, Harris and the Key Latino Vote Joe Raedle|Getty Images Audience members attend a Univision Noticias town hall event about the 2024 eleciton on Oct. 16, in Doral, Fla.
With Aleppo in Ruins, Only One Syrian Orphan Shelters in the U.S.
Last fall, when news organizations released photos of Alan Kurdi, the 2-year-old Syrian boy washed up on the Turkish coast, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service was bombarded with calls and emails. Americans from all over the country begged the refugee resettlement agency to allow them to adopt or foster Syrian children in need. "It was a heartwarming, wonderful reflection of the community," says Kimberly Haynes, director for children's services for the organization.
Florida Man Finds Easy Path to the DNC Bathroom. Plus, There's Still Division on Gaza.
Florida’s DNC delegates get a rude awakening. A GOP mayor crosses the (party) line. Despondency in Dearborn, Michigan. As noted in this space before, while Decision Points focuses on national and international news, we also aim to deliver a weekly roundup of local or regional news with a political dimension – something unusual or interesting, or that may illustrate a broader national trend.
Kamala Harris Sees the Road to the Top, But Will Voters Put Her There?
Vice President Kamala Harris takes a giant leap for American womankind tonight as she accepts the Democratic presidential nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago, becoming only the second woman ever to top the ticket for a major party. According to the latest polls, she is narrowly favored to become the first woman president of the United States. Strikingly, the U.S. has trailed much of the world in equal representation in the halls of power.
Is America Ready for a Woman President?
Tonight, when Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage and accepts the Democratic nomination for president, we can expect a sea of grins, cheers and tears to erupt in Chicago’s United Center as the KHive imagines their presidential hopeful shattering multiple glass ceilings. Harris would be the first woman president, the first Black woman president and the first Asian-American commander in chief in U.S. history. Her supporters are ready for her to break boundaries.
Which Democrats Aren’t Attending the DNC - and Why?
By the time Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage in Chicago on Thursday night, she’ll have been preceded by a parade of Democratic cheerleaders and party standard-bearers. The first night of the Democratic National Convention featured former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the current president himself, among others. Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, roused crowds on Tuesday. And tonight, when Minnesota Gov.
Mapping the Conflict Between Israel and Hamas
An aerial view of destroyed buildings following Israeli airstrikes in the Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on Oct. 12, 2023.(Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty Images) The recent attacks on Israel by Hamas have reignited one of the most intractable conflicts in the Middle East. The surprise assault by the group's militant wing on Oct. 7 left nearly 1,300 dead, mostly Israeli civilians.
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