Here to Help – August 2022

Remember the old days. Three TV networks. The local paper and maybe the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal. That was it. You called a local business and folks answered the phones in three rings. A soda fountain in the local Woolworths or corner store was a thing.

Ah the good ole days.

I remember good old-fashioned customer service where folks knew your name. When was the last time you walked into your local bank and the person who helped you last time was still there?

I have good news for you.

There is a little retirement planning company with a few offices here and there that understand what service to the customer looks and feels like. Where you are greeted with a friendly smile when you enter. You may even find your name in lights in the lobby. A kind person offers you a warm or cold beverage. They happily help you whether you are meeting someone or dropping off something.

Yes, I guess I’m talking about us. American Retirement Advisors and all of our companies. I guess you folks recognized our dedication as well. In Arizona we have been voted by the public through the Arizona Republic and AZCentral.com as The BEST of the BEST for Medicare Planning and Financial Planning. Do you realize how many companies are in our business? On the planning side, Edward Jones, JP Morgan, Raymond James, were all nominated, but our little firm won not just once but four times. As for the Medicare planning side, we actually don’t have any competitors. We are the only Medicare Fiduciaries and Certified Medicare Planners®. All other players in Medicare are either the insurance companies, agents who work for the insurance companies, or brokers. We built our company to help folks get the most out of what they have. Eliminate sales
gimmicks and provide the most value possible.

It has certainly paid off for our clients all over this great country of ours.

Thank you for being a fan!

State of Confusion – July 2022

Before attending one of our many workshops, Rich and Rachael were astounded by the amount of misinformation they had learned from friends, relatives, and medical staff about Medicare.

Some of this misinformation:

1. You must sign up for Medicare at age 65 no matter what!
2. You can never change Medicare plans after you choose one.
3. You can't keep your employer's plan.
4. You can have as many plans for coverage as you want.
5. You don't need a Part D drug plan because it's optional.
6. Many doctors don't take Medicare anymore.
7. My friend has a great plan, and I want that same one.
8. I thought that no one could ask medical questions anymore.
9. Medicare covers me anywhere in the world.

After attending our Medicare workshop and meeting with a Certified Medicare Planner® to research their specific doctors, hospitals, and prescription needs, they were pleased to find out that Medicare wasn't the big bad bugger-bear that they thought it would be.

We also clarified that the information they shared about Medicare above was not accurate. The couple asked us, "Why is all that wrong information out there?" The answer was simple. Most folks repeat gossip like it was the gospel; they are not speaking as trained professional advisors.

The other issue is that doctors' offices confuse folks about which Medicare Advantage network doctors participate in. With over 5000 combinations of Medicare plans available, it's no surprise!

As part of our initial meeting, we learned that Rich had access to a Retirement Health Plan from his company. But it costs over $1,000 a month to ensure them both! They were thrilled to find a Medicare Medigap plan they could each have for about $300 a month with no co-pays and only a $233 deductible. They could also go to any doctor they wanted to go to, even any specialist, without a referral! When you turn 65, whether you continue working or planning to retire and wonder, "What do I do"?

Be sure to explore your Medicare options. We can help you compare your options to feel confident with your healthcare choices.

How about that stock market – July 2022

Finish what you start – July 2022

Our parents or another significant adult (teacher, coach, etc.) told us to "finish what you start!" As a result, we all find a level of responsibility to finish things at
different times of our lives. However, sometimes unfinished business has unintended consequences.

I remember while growing up that there were unintended consequences when you didn't finish a job or your chores. While there wasn't much harm in not raking ALL the leaves in the yard in the fall or not mowing ALL the lawn, we quickly learned that the important stuff had dire consequences. For example, you had to milk the cows every day at the dairy farm, including Saturday and Sunday! If you missed a day, the cows could stop producing milk, and then you'd have nothing to sell. So, you had to make sure those cows were milked at the same time every single day!

When it was time to harvest the hay, it had to be cut, dried and bailed. Then the bailed hay was placed in the barn's loft so that the cows have feed all winter. If the hay got wet because you didn't bail it on time, or if it were to rain before you could bail the cut grass, that hay would mold and spoil. You had to buy your hay, and that was expensive. You cut into your profit because somebody didn't finish the job.

When did you learn about finishing the job, and who taught you those valuable lessons? What were the dire consequences that you or your family suffered if a job wasn't finished?

How about those healthcare or retirement plans you've been meaning to manage? What about that income plan you know you need but haven't gotten around to? We see folks on an almost

Protein Alternative – July 2022

Fun 4th of July Facts – July 2022

Americans love their holidays, and the 4th of July is one of the granddaddies of them all!

Fun Fact: Many citizens think we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on this day. Actually, we celebrate the adoption of the document - voted on and approved by the Continental Congress on July 4th. John Adams wrote to his dear wife that July 2nd would go down in history as Independence Day- the day the thirteen original colonies separated formally from Great Britain. Still, the body politic didn't approve it until July 4th! So there you are!

Another Fun Fact: Most of the delegate members didn't actually sign the Declaration until August 2nd, 1776.

The best-known version of the Declaration is a signed parchment copy displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Did you know... Two additional copies of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence have been found in the last 25 years. The words "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th of July 1776" are written upside-down across the bottom on the back of the original document.

The nation's population was 2.5 million when the Declaration was signed, as compared to 329 million currently. July 4th didn't become a federal holiday until 1870, and it wasn’t until 1941 that it became a paid holiday for all federal workers. It’s interesting to know… many countries around the world celebrate the 4th of July along with Americans because they see it as a way to bring in American tourists to vacation during the holiday.

So whether you are celebrating with a backyard BBQ, a day at the lake or beach, or a local parade with fireworks in the evening, may you have a safe and joyful Fourth!

What goes up must come down… or does it? – July 2022

We've all heard it, and now… and if you have been around the block a few times, you have already experienced it. The cost of gas is at  historic highs after years of historic lows, and interest rates are climbing back up after being at what feels like nearly zero for quite some time. Even as I write this in June, summer lets us know it's already here with temperatures rising earlier than ever!

But it's not all doom and gloom, though! There are some good highs too! For instance, 96% of hospitalized individuals here in Arizona are NOT being treated for any COVID variant. In addition, shipping containers carrying goods across the ocean are now flowing freely without the bottlenecks of late. Which should improve access to some goods we have had trouble obtaining for a long time. Thankfully, even formula (for my granddaughter) is back on the shelves!

There will always be ups and downs, but how you deal with them matters. Like we tell folks when they come to us for retirement planning, we cannot time the market, but we can insulate from down times like these and capitalize on the up that comes after. So get ready, better times are coming.

Long Distance – June 2022

Carol and Adam and been an "item" for years in the Arizona firm they worked at, but now something was a threat to their relation- ship. Carol had won a promotion. But to take advantage of the opportunity, she had to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia. She wanted the promotion and the raise that went with it, but she didn't want to leave Adam behind in Arizona.

While they were both excited about moving to Atlanta, Adam would have to leave his job and find another to relocate with Carol. His main concern? It wasn't about finding a job or the pay. Instead, it was about medical benefits. He would be turning 65 in a few months and was confused about Medicare and transitioning to it. Lucky for him, his buddy Glenn was already 65 and worked in the office next to his.

Glenn was to the point on what to do. "You're turning 65 and moving- you don't want to make a mistake with this. Call David at American Retirement Advisors, and they'll have the answers for you." Adam was grateful but hesitant. Should he use an Arizona service for the guidance he needed for his soon-to-be new home state of Georgia? He trusted Glenn, and he needed an honest place to start, so he made the call.

In our first meeting, we made him feel at ease by letting him know we are licensed in every state. So, assisting him with getting a plan in Georgia was easy! He was already feeling relieved!

We reviewed all the plans available in his new zip code, and he was surprised that the coverage and costs would even be better than his current employer's health plan. (We hear that a lot!)

He decided to stay with his current job until he turned 65 and then allowed us to enroll him in a Medicare plan of his choice stress-free. Carol had already moved, blazing the trail to Atlanta. Adam joined her as soon as he had his new medical coverage. So expert guidance and planning allowed them to move prepared!

Moving to another state and needing Medicare Expertise? Call us so we can help!

Is it hot yet? – June 2022

Is it hot yet? Not as hot as the housing market! For this issue, I’m going to talk about finding extra money. If you’re a homeowner, you’re in luck.

My wife, Jacquie, has been a realtor for 20 years. We decided to move into our “forever” home by downsizing. We sold our 2-story and bought a slightly smaller 1-story house. We have no problem with stairs now, but who knows in the future. There is also less upkeep.

So how do you get money out of your house without creating more debt? Easy. The housing market is slowing down a little bit. A couple of hundred homes just hit the MLS in Vegas as I write this. We were and still are under inventoried. But the inventory is starting to fill back up. And prices are starting to come down. Don’t get me wrong; prices are still up there. But, if you sell a house that seems to be larger and emptier (i.e., the kids are grown and gone) than what you need in retirement, you now have a bunch of equity. How much, you ask? That depends on where you live and how long ago you bought it.

Look at it this way. If you sell the home you bought 10 years ago for, say, $350,000, owe $220,000, and now it appraises for (look on realtor.com) $700,000. You will pocket roughly $480,000. Take that equity to buy or put a down payment on your new smaller home with that $480,000.

If you still have a mortgage payment after that, it should be much smaller. The rates are low, but they are going up. On the other hand, if you sell a very expensive home, like my wife’s clients who keep moving to Vegas from California, you’re in for a treat. She had a client who sold their 1.5-million-dollar home in California and paid cash for a $600,000 home here. We now manage the remaining $900,000 for them. So now they have no mortgage payment and a nice comfortable income from our managed money portfolio. And no more stairs!

You don’t want to sell your house, but want extra income? You could always do a reverse mortgage. Back 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have advised that. But there are some good ones out there now. You just need a trustworthy broker who is honestly trying to help you. I have a couple that I have vetted that I introduce to my clients that could benefit from doing one. We don’t sell mortgages, but we can refer you to someone who can help.

Feel free to ask your American Retirement Advisor if any of these strategies interest you. We are here to help.

Biggest Surprise of My life! -June 2022

We’ve all had a big surprise in our life at some point. What was yours? Who were you with, where was it, and what was it? Whatever it was, it made you…you.

As I review my life, I am amazed that a poor kid from Georgia has accomplished what I have. My two brothers and I lived in a rental house with just our mother to support us. There was never any extra money. I admired her - a saint for what she accomplished by raising three boys alone.

At an early age, my brothers and I learned that you better earn some money if you wanted something. So, we cut grass, raked leaves, washed windows, cleaned out roof gutters, cut firewood, and just about anything to earn money. I was surprised at what I could do and what I earned!

I paid my way through college, graduated, and spent time trying different employment opportunities. I was a trained singer and successfully worked at Six Flags in their live shows, and even worked as a stuntman. I later met my wife and moved with her to California. During the first years of marriage, the biggest surprise of my life was having our baby daughter!

We both loved to travel, and when we got married, we promised each other that we would go somewhere we had never been before once a year. At first, we could afford only local destinations as newlyweds. But later, as our income allowed, we started visiting more exotic destinations - Hawaii, Alaska, and Mexico. We included annual trips to New York to see the newest shows. Then added a few cruises and international travel to several European countries, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Iceland, and other Pacific Rim countries. I was grateful we could share these experiences with our young daughter!

I started out as a poor kid; I never thought I’d visit over 40 countries and travel worldwide - not in my wildest dreams. But, having a daughter and all the travel we have accomplished are the biggest surprises in my life.

Each of us has experienced something that makes us unique. So, what was the biggest surprise in your life? Because whatever it was, it made you…you!