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Its funny that when we were younger, we could not wait for certain “age” milestones to occur so that we would be old enough to do certain things. Now…. how you feel about getting older depends on your perspective, and that perspective makes you... you!
I can distinctly remember that I could not wait to turn age 15 so that I could get my learner’s permit and start to drive. A certain amount of independence came with that milestone, as well as the responsibility. I just remember how excited I was to be able to legally get behind the wheel. Of course, growing up in a rural area, my brothers and I had been driving farm equipment and construction equipment for years, but this was different. This was driving a car on a paved road.
Another milestone was reached as we boys signed up for the military draft when graduating high school. And while I chose to go to university, my brother chose to join the Army and not wait on the chance of getting drafted. Again, we were growing older and it was the first time we were separated for a long period of time.
Fast forward 40 years and now we are cringing at the fact of turning 65, enrolling in Medicare, and figuring out how much longer we are going to work before retiring. When we were age 17, turning 65 in the future was a long way off. But…. here we are. Where did the years go?
My charming bride of 40 years had her birthday recently and I was informed that any reference to what her new age was going to be would be met with a very unfavorable reception. She got nice flowers and a dinner out with no snarky or funny quips about her age (I value my life).
So, what was the event in your life that was a growing oldermoment for you? A certain birthday, a special event, or some other milestone? Did it change your perspective? Whatever it was and whoever you were with…. makes you…. you!As the milestones are passingby, don't forget to plan for your healthcare, financial retirement needs, and the time to activate your Social Security check for maximum impact. Call us! We can help!
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March Winds! – 2020
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We all grew up with the little sing-song sayings such as “April Showers bring May Flowers”, but March was always about the wind. When the wind is in the east, ‘tis neither good for man nor beast. There are several others that I’m sure we all have heard growing up.
March is always a conflicting month and it seems at times it just doesn’t know what to do with itself. Bring more winter weather with snow and ice, or start spring a month early? From year-to-year it’s like flipping a coin. Some northern states are weathering a late winter storm in March while other states are enjoying spring weather already.
I do know that for most folks, March is about planning your spring and summer and those long-awaited vacations. Of course, we start the countdown towards the finish line on completing your yearly taxes. Hmmm…now where is that box of receipts?
March is a time for planning that summer garden……veggies anyone? It’s also a time to start planning those spring-cleaning chores that seem to get put off during the rest of the year. Air out the pillows and mattress, clean out the fridge, wash the windows, etc., etc.
Holidays abound in March, although some of them are rather silly; March 1st is Peanut Butter Lovers Day, March 14th is Potato Chip Day, March 22nd is Goof Off Day, March 23rd is Puppy Day, and March 25th is Waffle Day.
We do have the most wonderful fun celebrating St Patrick’s Day on March 17th, and, what you don’t know is that 10% of the American population identifies as Irish! That’s 9 times more than the population of Ireland. The “Ides of March” is on the 15th. Remember, that’s the old Roman New Year which designated the 1st day of spring in Roman times.
So, whatever you are celebrating, get ready to March into spring!
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Now Please – 2020
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Helen was exhausted when she came to her appointment with us; as soon as she sat down, we got her a cup of coffee so she could decom- press from her workday. She had one of those days with her job and was totally stressed out. As soon as she had taken a sip and started to relax, we asked the same question we ask at the beginning of every appointment. “How can we help”?
She knew exactly what she wanted and didn’t hesitate for one second. “I’m tired and I want to know do I have enough to retire”?
At age 66 she knew she needed her Medicare to replace her current employer health plan. We can help with that.
She also wanted to know the most appropriate strategy for turning on her Social Security benefits. We can help with that.
Third, what can her savings make her as income without using the principal, and is there a way to reduce potential market losses with her retirement nest egg? We can help with that.
As we continued the meeting, we started to describe our process and how we will reveal to her all our research to show exactly how her plan will provide for her financial expectations for the next 20 years into her retirement.
After reviewing the process, Helen had one thing to say. “Now Please!”
After completing the planning process, she was thrilled to give her two weeks’ notice and start planning her retirement life, which included spending more time with the grandkids, some much-needed travel, and hobby projects. While finishing up her meeting she could not contain her excitement and called her best friend on her cell phone with the great news! I’m free!
So, are you a slave to your job and want to know if you can retire? Don’t wait to find out! Let’s do some fact-based decision making with actual definitive information, so you can make a real plan and map out your retirement years!
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100 Bucks – 2020
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At times, a hundred dollars still sounds like a lot of money. Other times, not so much. If this is a conflicting moment it seems to me that this attitude would be based on your perspective of the value of money. When was the last time you spent a hundred dollars? Whether a hundred dollars sounds like a lot or not, makes you…. you!
My charming bride and I always laugh a bit when we go to Costco. We call it the hundred-dollar store as we never seem to get out of there for less than a hundred dollars at the register. Buy bulk! It will save you money! Yeah, and now we have a year’s supply of Kleenex? And as we buy bulk to save money, the next question to answer is where do you keep all this bulk? Contractors building new homes are adding what they call a bulk storage room (or a Costco/Sam’s room) to new houses because Americans seem to want to make sure they have a few months’ supply of whatever.
Hmmm…...a hundred dollars……used to seem like a lot of money.
As a kid growing up in the deep south, I remember my brothers and I doing almost any chore or job we could find to earn money. Cutting a neighbor’s grass, raking leaves, cleaning out rain gutters, clearing a field, washing windows, collecting pop bottles (you could get two cents a bottle when you took them back to the store). We’d load up the trunk of our Mom’s Ford with a couple hundred bottles and wa-la! We’d make $5! That was a big deal back when a movie matinee was only 25 cents, and soda and popcorn was a dime.
And growing up in our house? What the heck was an allowance the other kids talked about? You want something? There’s the lawnmower, you just had to get off your fanny and make all the money you need. We truly spoil our kids these days.
What was the last time you spent what you consider a sizable amount of cash? Who were you with, what was it for? And so, is a hundred dollars still a lot of money? It’s in your perspective, and only yours. It makes you…you!
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February Already – 2020
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Wow! It seems the year 2020 is off to a roaring start! Why does the month of January always seem to zip by and then it’s already the second month of the year? February gets us one more month closer to spring. Up in the snow-covered areas of our country there are folks who are already counting the days as they shovel snow and scrape windshields clear of ice.
Sports fans know that their bigger than life football event happens this month on February 2nd as we await the next installment of the Super Bowl! So …...did your team make it? Cheer on!
Much of the mid-west waits in anticipation of Groundhog Day on February 2nd to see if winter weather will be short or drag on into spring. German immigrants brought this holiday with them as they migrated to the State of Pennsylvania. Now, what most people don’t realize is that in Germany it was a Badger that the holiday was built upon. But being in the USA there weren’t many of those around, so it got switched to a ground- hog, and Punxsutawney Phil from Gobbler’s Knob, PA., has been with us ever since.
As we all know, Cupid makes his yearly visit to our loved ones (sometimes anonymously) with flowers and heart-shaped candy boxes every February 14th. This day is spent showering our hearts’ desire with flowers, Champaign, or even a special dinner out. The origins of this holiday are rooted in fertility festivals from the middle ages, although there are more than one Saint Valentine who are remembered on this date.
February 17th is President’s Day, so don’t forget your red, white, and blue!
For all you other party animals, February 25th brings Mardi Gras in the grand old BIG EASY city of New Orleans! Parades, floats, beads, costumes, and the food!!!! Cajun, Creole, Etouffee, Beignets and coffee, Jackson Square, and Jazz!
Something here for every- one, so enjoy February
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Me Too! – 2020
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Gene had a medical emergency and his wife Lucille, drove him to the local hospital emergency facility. They both knew that the hospital was in their Medicare Advantage network and had no worries about being responsible for out-of-network financial charges.
Once Gene was checked into the emergency room and the emergency staff identified his condition, they realized they did not have the specialist on duty for his medical condition and could not treat him.
After stabilizing Gene, the emergency room doctor explained to them both exactly what the issue was and reassured them that the staff was searching for a doctor on duty at another hospital who could treat his condition. Within an hour the doctor returned and expressed that they indeed had found a doctor on duty and that the hospital did have a bed for him. It seemed that there was a double jeopardy in that they could have found a doctor, but the hospital might not have had a bed for him. Lucky for Gene they had a doctor and a bed for him.
An ambulance transferred him to the next hospital and the doctor was waiting. As Gene was being treated the hospital administrator had come to Lucille and had her sign forms and afterwards Lucille was very concerned that she had to sign a waiver stating that they would be responsible for the medical bill if Gene's Medicare Advantage plan would not pay. Lucille called Gene's Advantage plan and confirmed that the new hospital was not in Gene's plan network. Now she begins to worry about the financial exposure they could be responsible for, above any normal co-pays.
As Gene recovered from the surgery over the next few days, Lucille could not contain her worries about the medical bills and expressed her concerned to Gene. Gene had one response "Call David at American Retirement Advisors, he'll have the answer.
As soon as we learned of their financial fears, we assured them that they would only be responsible for their normal hospital co-pays which was a flat fee of $200 a day for the first seven days on their plan. So, no matter what the hospital bill, $1400 was the most they would have as financial exposure.
Needless to say, Lucille as well as Gene were relieved.
Got questions about your plan? On each and every carrier card no matter what plan you have is an 800 customer service number that you can call and get answers to your medical and billing questions. And if you can't get an answer there you always have our number. Call us we can help.
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What’s Important? – 2020
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AS we enter this new year of 2020, we need to take stock of what is important. Each and every person reading this article will have their own unique answer to that question and your answer makes you……. you!
Many of us immediately think of what's important and think of family and friends. Your health and finances. Maybe it's a certain possession that you own, and friends and neighbors covet it secretly?
Whatever your choice of what's important to you, is that you've made it important.
I know, as the sole bread winner in our household, that my working and earning a living for a family that depends on me is one of the driving forces that keeps me going. No one in my sphere of inner circle ever thinks of me in poor health! Why, I'm practically the energizer bunny! You know the saying on the commercial "keeps going and going".
There has rarely been a day missed at the office due to sickness or bad health, until.... recently.
After being in the hospital for 10 days and two weeks of daily follow up visits, I now know what everyone talks about when they've had a serious medical event. I for one disliked the entire experience! And hope to goodness I never have to have a repeat!
Now it's not that the nurses were bad (they were great), or the hospital food was poor (it was good, not their fault that I didn't have much of an appetite), or the fact that I had or didn't have a great surgeon (all the doctors were wonderful). Bottom line was that I had never been in the hospital and didn't like it one bit. I've never been faced with a total inability to get something done or accomplished through sheer determination. But there I was ...…. stuck.
So, what was it for you? What was your important thing? Does that important thing change with time or has it always been the same? If I were a betting man, I would wager that what's important for most people changes with age and wisdom.
Make sure some of the important things are taken care of in your life, with choosing Medicare plans, or ensuring your financial retirement plan is in place; are your affairs in order? Don't let these important things be unresolved. Questions? We have answers, call us we can help!
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Great New 2020 – 2020
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As we enter the new year, some of us are sad to see last year go away. Maybe it was a great year full of unexpected surprises, gifts, or friendships. On the other hand, there are those of us who are really glad to see the new year as the old one might have been a bust or less than a wonderful year. It could have been a serious health issue or a financial hardship, maybe even the loss of a dear friend or relative. For whatever reason, last year just didn't measure up.
The tremendous thing is that we get to start a great new adventure called 2020. Wow! The year 2020! I can remember sitting in high school classes back in the 60s (yep, a Boomer) and dreaming about what it's going to be like in the year 2020. Flying cars, cities on the moon, disease and pestilence all but wiped out. The technological advances that were touted in all the magazines. And.... world peace.
At that time in the late 60s I felt that with all the advances in food supply and medical marvels, it would bring about world stability and there would be no more reason for wars or regional conflict. Fast forward to the present and even with many improvements here we still find ourselves mired in conflict between peoples and countries.
Even in our own good old USA we have never seen the strife between political parties and the leaders in those parties at the level of unrest that we see today Brother against brother, families against families. Sound familiar? Are we headed back to the 1860s?
I, for one, sincerely hope not. Let us all pledge to be more tolerant and considerate toward each other in this new year and agree that it's OK to disagree and still respect each other. The USA is still the shining beacon it has always been for the rest of the world and we need to make sure we never lose sight of that one gift we can give. The gift of hope. Happy New Year!
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Me Too! – 2019
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Jean and Richard were in our offices, as Jean was turning 65 and wanted to check Medicare plans. As we were reviewing her options, I reminded her that once a year she would want to check her plans during the Annual Election Period (AEP) to ensure that her plans were the most appropriate for the next calendar year.
The research we performed on her prescription drug plans was especially educational as she had a couple of expensive medications. They were both amazed in the difference in the monthly premiums, deductible, and co-pays on the dozens of plans available.
As we completed the research on Jean’s options, Richard spoke up and informed me that he had been on the same Part D drug plan for the past 6 years and didn’t know he could switch plans once a year. He was paying $92 a month for his
premium, a $415 deductible, and over $20 a month in co-pays for his medications. “Can you check for me too,” he asked?
I simply requested that he volunteer his prescription drug list and we could research which Part D plan would be most appropriate for him next year. As soon as we entered his medications and we hit go, the program researched all 31 plans
in his zip code. The result was nothing sort of amazing!
We found a plan that was $20 a month in premium, had a $275 deductible, and his co-pays were only $40 a month for his prescription medications. He realized he would overpay more than $1,000 dollars if he stayed on his current Part D plan.
Richard was quick to ask, “How can they do this”?
I explained that all Part D drug plans must be submitted to Medicare for approval and then they are published each year on October 1st; after that date we can perform research to see if you need to switch plans. This research should be
performed each year. You may not change the prescriptions you are taking, but the drug plans can change on you! Plans can change their premiums, deductible, and co-pays each year. So, it’s imperative to research each year.
Fortunately, Richard was in our offices before December 7th which is the deadline to change plans for the coming new year. Of course, Jean couldn’t let it go, and had to bring up the fact that Richard initially didn’t want to come with her to the
appointment and now it turned out it was worth over $1,000 in savings for him to be there! She added that maybe Richard could share some of the money he was saving by taking her to a nice dinner out!
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Have you ever been made fun of by family or friends when you got caught talking to yourself? Did you feel foolish or was it something else? Do you make it a regular habit? When was the last time you had an incident like this? Do you remember what the discussion was about with yourself? Who caught you, and what was the result? If you have ever had this happen to you, it made you…. you!
I’ve done a lot of public speaking during my lifetime and I always practice in front of a mirror so that I can gauge the audience reaction to my topic. It also allows me to see what I look like with my appearance and gestures. I can remember I was in our bathroom practicing a speech and didn’t notice my daughter had peeked around the corner to see who I was talking to. She was about 5-6 at the time and totally caught me off guard as I was concentrating on my presentation.
“What are you doing daddy and who are you talking too”? First of all, I nearly jumped out of my skin as I was so startled and was totally not expecting someone to see me. The next thing I realized (after my heart stopped racing) was that I needed to answer my young child. As is always my habit, I always try to give my daughter a humorous response to these situations. I simply replied that her daddy was the smartest man I know and since I need advice every once in a while, I ask myself. She looked at me curiously for a few moments and her reaction was what had become normal. She ran to ask her Mom if this was true. Mooomeeeee! I heard her exclaim as she ran down the hall to find my wife. Trust me, I knew I would be chastised in private later after my darling daughter went to bed. And…. I wasn’t disappointed. I got an earful from my charming bride.
So, if you find yourself, talking to yourself, maybe it’s not so bad. But if you start arguing back and forth……you might have issues. (Ha-Ha!).
Now there are some things we need to talk to other folks about, so if you need help with Medicare plan selection, Social Security questions, or estate planning, just call us! We will talk to you and you don’t have to worry about yourself!