New Furry Friend – 2021

Is it fall yet? – 2021

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.4" hover_enabled="0"] Some long-awaited Monsoon rain brought an explosion of green in our local Sonoran Desert. While hiking some of those trails, I noticed that the plants that had been brown for many months are now happily green! But as we move into fall in the desert, it's still hot! Of course, new greenery creates food for critters. After these seasonal rains, and with plenty of food, there's usually a bumper crop of critters having babies. It's beautiful to see Mother Nature at work! An early morning hike will allow you to catch a glimpse of all that the desert has to offer. As we talk to folks all over the country about their Retirement needs, the weather always comes up. Some parts of the country are already seeing their first snow of the fall, while others are taking in picnics to see the beautiful fall color of the leaves. But, of course, September in Arizona still means managing 90–100- degree heat in the swimming pool. So, what signals fall where you live? Is it when college football season begins with tailgate parties? Or getting that last crop of vegetables harvested before the cold weather hits. Maybe it's raking leaves in the yard. Whatever your fall signal is, it is a signal of change... and perhaps of the holidays to come in quick succession- Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year, and the weather that accompanies each. Wherever you are, enjoy embracing the signals of a fair fall arrival [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Preventative Research – 2021

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.4"] Sharon and Greg called to tell us that they were moving and provide us with their new home address. Our Client Care staff member quickly pointed out that they also needed to notify Social Security and Medicare of their new address and provided them the contact information to make the changes. Our clients were also made aware that since they were changing counties, they would lose their current Medicare Advantage Plan. “But we love our Medicare Advantage plan,” Greg exclaimed. So, Client Care scheduled an appointment for them to explore all the available options for plans in their new county with me. I was delighted to meet with Sharon and Greg, who quickly repeated their desire to keep their current plan if possible. Unfortunately, Medicare Advantage plans are geographically sensitive, and a plan available in one county does not mean it will be available in another county. Though they were disappointed to hear that, we continued to review what was available in their new location and specific to their needs. While Maricopa County currently has over 60 Medicare Advantage plans available to pick from, their new county was in a more rural area, and only 16 plans were available in Arizona. I let them know they can always switch back to a Medicare Medigap and a Part D drug plan to use any doctor anywhere. Still, they insisted that they wanted a plan with the $0 monthly premium that was all inclusive like their current Medicare Advantage plan. “We also still want a plan that will include dental and vision,” Sharon was quick to add. After a thorough review of all available plans, we were pleased to find a plan that had almost the same benefits as their current plan! “What a relief!” Sharon stated. “Doing this preventative research was great!” “Yeah, we thought we could just move and keep our current plan. We had no idea we would have to switch,” added Greg. “As usual, you guys made this so easy,” included Sharon. As I hear this several times a day, there’s an easy retort! “Making things 123Easy is what we do!” [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

A Bear-y Special Kindness – 2021

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.4" hover_enabled="0" admin_label="Text"] When was the last time you did a kind act for someone else, or when was the last time someone did something nice for you? What you did, who was involved, and how you reacted makes you…you! As we look over our years on this planet, we can probably count the number of times someone actually did something special and totally unexpected for us. A thoughtful, considerate kindness that took you off guard. It may have even created an emotional response from you. I was fortunate to be a recipient of one of these unexpected events recently. While visiting my niece and her family, she had dinner for my twin and me as we have a birthday in a few weeks. It was a small affair for the immediate family of in-laws, niece, nephew, and their young children. After bringing out an unexpected birthday cake and the usual singing, our niece presented both uncles with large matching gift bags. The gift bags were light in weight, and we could not imagine what she would be giving us. To our surprise, in each bag was a blue teddy bear in a band uniform. What made the gift so unexpectedly wonderful? What is the significance of this uniquely dressed bear? Our sister-in-law was preparing to move, and our niece was going through boxes to see what to donate. What she found was our deceased older brother's drum major uniform from high school! How did his uniform get on the bear? A local neighbor was known for making teddy bears out of any material. Our niece had taken the uniform to her neighbor, and she made not one but two bears! A large heart was on the back of each bear with a note of endearment from our brother. We were overwhelmed with a flood of memories of our brother, our high school days, and naturally performing with our brother in the marching and symphony band. It caused quite an emotional moment. It was simply ….an incredible and thoughtful kindness. So, when was the last time you did something nice and thoughtful for someone? If it's been a while, it's never too late to start. Because these are the events in our lives that make you...you! [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Happy Trails – 2021

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.4" hover_enabled="0"] Thanks to the past year, we came close to canceling our annual vacation to Hawaii, but patience persevered, and travel restrictions were lifted. However, travel still felt different… like, the State of Hawaii requiring Covid Tests 3 days before boarding to travel. You register your results, and the State of Hawaii provides a code allowing you access to Hawaii. No code, no visit. And…that code is like gold. The code works everywhere: when you land, for rental cars, hotels, etc. Also, Hawaii still enforces mask rules. With the mask restrictions lifted months ago in Arizona, Hawaii felt like a step back in time. Undeterred, we forged ahead to enjoy paradise. Not so fast! Apparently, those restrictions didn’t deter others visiting either as we heard many languages being spoken everywhere, more than usual. Hawaii is popular for tourists from neighboring Pacific Rim countries. So, we couldn’t get a rental car, we couldn’t get a reservation in a restaurant; basically, all popular activities were booked. And prices for everything were doubled or tripled! Undaunted, we solved getting a car and drove to more remote island communities. Here things were quieter than the larger metro areas and beaches. We enjoyed lunch or dinner while enjoying places new to us. We lived the adage, “When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade!” New places included King Kamehameha’s birthplace on the Big Island of Hawaii near the town of Kapaau. Greeted by a large colorful statue of the King prominently displayed in town, we enjoyed a park, museum, quaint shops, and restaurants, and it turned out to be a wonderful new adventure. So, as we all enjoy escapes from the past year, don’t get frustrated on your travels this summer! Lots of folks have travel escape plans too. Maybe keep it simple with just picnic to a more road less traveled destination? Happy Trails! [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Switch “F” to “G”! – 2021

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.4" hover_enabled="0"] Gloria called our office recently. She seemed to be quite frustrated, having just received another increase in the monthly premium for her Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan F. She just celebrated her birthday and turned 71. Now her premium had gone up quite a bit! I empathetically took Gloria’s call and let her vent a bit, as no one likes to get an increase in premiums. “When I was 65 and enrolled for the first time, my premium was only $120!” she exclaimed. “Now, just six years later, the premium has almost doubled!” she cried. My reply was simply, “How can we help?” In a nutshell, she just wanted to know what her options were. “Well, there are a few options,” I began. “You can always switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Election Period October 15th through December 7th. The new plan would start January 1st of the new year. “Good news… many doctors are on multiple plans!” “But those are network plans, and I want the freedom to go where I want with no co-pays,” she said. The other option I offered was to switch supplement plans. Gloria could go from Plan F to Plan G. Curious, she asked for the details on making that type of change. Healthy individuals who can answer the medical underwriting questions can switch their Medicare Supplement (Medigap) any month of the year. “By switching from Plan F to Plan G, you could significantly reduce your monthly premium,” I calmly explained. “The only difference in F and G is that F pays the Part B $203 deductible, and with plan G, you pay the once-a-year Part B $203 (for 2021) deductible. Other than that, the plans are identical. So, you would be saving even after paying the small deductible. “Do I have to take a physical?” she asked. “No, we ask questions from the applications,” I replied. “If you can answer “no” to each question, you can probably switch. (Applications are subject to full underwriting) It’s that simple. Some carriers don’t even require the underwriting if you keep your policy with that insurance carrier and are just switching plans.” “I’m so glad I called! So, if you have a Plan F? It pays to shop! [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Science Fiction or Strange Experience ? – 2021

As we have lived our lives and crossed pathways with numerous people and places, we’ve all had a strange experience or two along the way. How you reacted, who you were with, and where it happened, makes you...you.

When we all think about these experiences, you must wonder, was it a DeJa’Vu moment? An incident that you’ve had this encounter with someone before, or it seemed you had been someplace before? Or maybe it was something else that was just a weird occurrence or otherworldly ghost? Or…could it have simply just been your imagination?

As a 10-year-old growing up in the late ’50s and ’60s, everything was about atomics. Atom bombs, drills at school (yeah, right! Like hiding under your wooden school desk was going to save you from an atom bomb explosion!), and of course, the increase in Hollywood movies and TV programs
dealing with science fiction.

You might remember movies such as “The Blob,” “Them,” The Day the Earth Stood Still,” Forbidden Planet,” “Earth VS Flying Saucers,” and of course “War of the Worlds.” And if you really liked science fiction as a kid, you were reading Robert Heinlein’s books such as “Red Planet,” “Starship
Trooper,” “Have Space Suit Will Travel,” or “Space Cadet.”

With those references in mind, I had one of my own experiences. As our family was coming home from church one night, it was dark and moonless. We lived in the country so, there was no city light pollution glow. It was just plain, old, dark.

I had been reading one of the aforementioned science fiction books earlier in the day, and of course, my 10-year-old active imagination was primed. As I got out of the car and looked up at the night sky, I noticed blinking lights and exclaimed to my brothers, “Oh my God! Spaceships! Look!” My older
brother brought me back to reality with a simple, “David, it’s lighting bugs!” Naturally, we all had a good laugh, albeit at my expense.

So, what was your strange experience? I bet you can recall without much prompting. I’ve had several during my years. You’ll remember who was with you, where it happened, and all the details. That personal experience is what makes you…you!

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Our Founding Fathers – 2021

When you hear the 'talking heads' discussing this or that…. I often wonder… what would the founding fathers think about some of the discussions? Would the motives for creating the Constitution still be the same if they were alive today?

Would our Bill of Rights look the same if the government leaders who had the most significant impact on how we govern ourselves were still around?

What would Washington, Lincoln, and other early past leaders think about the state of America today? Would they see it as a long-overdue correction or the ongoing struggle of a people to govern themselves?

In conversations with folks, I am always amazed how most people are clueless about our Bill of Rights and what they are. Most recognize the fundamental protections of the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, and religion. But aside from these, most people are a tad fuzzy.

The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, called The Bill of Rights, are:
1) Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition.
2) Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
3) No Quartering of Soldiers (This was a Hotpoint due to British abuse During the revolutionary War).

4 Freedom from Unreasonable Search and Seizures.
5) Right to Due Process of Law, Freedom from Self-Incrimination, and Double Jeopardy.
6) Right of Accused Persons to a Speedy and Public Trial.
7) Right of Trial by Jury in Civil Cases.
8) Freedom from Excessive Bail, Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
9) Other Rights of the People.
10) Powers Reserved to the States.
Madison argued that a declaration of rights would help install the judiciary as "guardians" of individuals. Over more than 200 years, we have seen the list grow to 27 Amended Rights. Time and government interpretations can muddy the original intent.

Do you think our founding fathers meant for Congress members to make a career out of their positions? In this day and age, maybe consideration could be given to creating Bill number 28 - Term Limits for all political leaders to get back to the good of the entire population. Everybody benefits from fresh perspective. Just a thought…

On this holiday every year, I am especially reminded and thankful for our courageous armed services, men and women dedicated to securing our freedom - keeping us safe! And that, my friends, is indeed a Happy Fourth of July!

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Mixed Marriage… – 2021

Jean and Gabe had grown up in the same small town, and their birthdays were in the same month. After spending all twelve years in elementary school, Junior High, and high school, they had literally known each other their whole lives. They became sweethearts in high school and soon after graduating had gotten married. After some 47 years of marriage, raising a family, and working, they were both turning age 65 in six months and knew they had to choose Medicare.

We met them after they attended one of our Medicare workshops. After reviewing where and when to enroll in Medicare Parts A&B, they had many questions about the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans vs. Medicare Supplements (Medigap) and adding a Part D drug plan. After weighing the differences, Jean was adamant about keeping her Medicare and getting a Medigap and Part D. Her mother had breast cancer. Jean had terrible memories about her Mom’s trials and tribulations of her various treatments with co-pays and network doctors and specialists. “I want to go where I want to and have freedom of choice for any treatments in case something happens to me,” she declared.

Gabe was thinking just the opposite and liked all-in-one Medicare Advantage plans because he felt they suited his needs better. For Gabe, we researched and found a plan that his primary doctor was already on, and the plan had extra goodies like free eye and hearing exams and even offered some dental coverage. “The Advantage plan is the way to go,” he firmly stated. As the meeting turned a tad tense, we explained that they were both right! “All Medicare plans are individual, so you can pick whichever plan or plans you feel are most appropriate for you. We do mixed marriages all the time!” I calmly explained. After they shared a small laugh at this, they realized they could both win and have what they wanted. “It’s a happy ending just like in fairy tales!” Gabe exclaimed. Everyone’s medical needs are different. So, if you’re concerned about which plan is right for you, it’s the one that’s most appropriate. Call us! We can help!

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The Best Years? – 2021

When we think about the best years of our lives, many of us wonder, have I already had them, are they happening right now, or will they be the best in my future? Past, Present, or future? What were you doing? Who was there with you? What you think or feel about this makes you….you!

How you think about your best years (and they may not have happened yet) might bring nostalgic thoughts about your youth or, maybe, it was that great job you had for several years. Was it when the kids were being born and raised? Perhaps your service in the military? Or during years at college or university?

What made those years so wonderful? Was it your youth, a travel experience? And, if you haven't had 'the best years of your life’ yet, what are you waiting for?

Maybe you are looking forward to retirement when you can finally travel and do what you want? I've often witnessed people having reactions and expressing themselves about this very thing. At a recent class reunion, the star quarterback remarked he felt that during senior year in high school, where he guided his team to the state championship, was the best thing that ever happened to him. Another person was excited that his son was finally able to take over the family business so that he could finally retire and enjoy his new "best years."

As we age, there are moments when we increasingly start to worry about our "Golden Years," and will they really be our best? Health is at the top of the worry list, followed closely by money worries as we ask ourselves, "Do I have enough"? Famous actress Helen Hayes had this to say about the best years. "The hardest years were between age 10 and 70." And Paul Meyer, upon reaching age 70, pro- claimed, "Life begins at 70!" Upon thinking about their best years, many folks feel great later in life because, now that they are older, they have accomplished what they set out to in their life and can start to relax without so much worry and stress.

Are you still waiting to create your best years, or can you already name them and what made them so great? Who was with you? Where were you? Because whatever you think…it makes you…you!

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