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Medicare fraud in all its forms is rampant. Though exact numbers aren't known, the government estimates that $60 billion to $90 billion is lost each year to Medicare fraud and abuse. In California, as many as 20% of fraud allegations investigated each year by the Senior Medicare Patrol involve durable medical equipment. Experts offer these tips to avoid becoming a victim of Medicare fraud. (Zamosky, 9/4)

Half of all retirees leave the workforce earlier than planned due to a health problem or job loss. The index does not measure the risk of early retirement due to job loss or other factors, such as the need to care for a family member. Instead, it looks at cognitive, psychomotor, physical and sensory abilities required to do various jobs. The key finding: highly educated professionals can be as susceptible to early retirement risk as a steelworker or truck driver. (Miller, 9/3)