From Your Agent’s Desk…
December 2024 Newsletter
Amy: How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?
Michael: Nothing. It was on the house.
Friends,
I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving and are getting ready to celebrate Christmas with your families.
If you still need help with your Medicare decision for 2025, The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs through Saturday, December 7, 2024. Also, please keep in mind you can make a change from a Medicare Advantage plan to a different one or change to original Medicare with a drug plan in the first quarter of 2025 during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) .
If you have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for January because your Aetna PPO was non renewed, then you have until Tuesday December 31, 2024 to enroll, but I’d prefer to be done by Saturday December 21, 2024.
November 2024 Newsletter
Q: Where do bad rainbows go?
A: To Prism. It’s a light sentence, but it gives them time to reflect.
This weekend we turn our clocks back. I must admit, it throws me off for about a week. I believe I would prefer to just always be on Atlantic Time.
The presidential election is on everyone’s mind this week. I hope you are also considering your Medicare Election for 2025 as well. People in Fairfield County on an Aetna PPO are being terminated and we must choose a new plan for next year. Please enter your information on my plan enroll website, and create a scope of appointment so I can best help you then click the blue button that says "Let’s Get Started." Thank you.
October 2024 Newsletter
The Annual Election Period (AEP) is upon us from October 15 to December 7.
During this time, you can change plans for next year if you like. You will be getting a letter on grey paper from me to remind you of your choices.
Some Medicare Advantage plans raised the maximum out of pocket and lowered the dental benefits and other ancillary coverage. If you are on an Aetna PPO in Fairfield County, your policy was NON - RENEWED for 2025 and we need to speak about moving you to a new plan for 2025. This is my top priority this fall.
September 2024 Newsletter
Friends, I hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend and are enjoying the last days of summer.
The Annual Election Period (AEP) begins in 4 weeks and there are many new changes for 2025. Including a new $2,000 maximum out of pocket for prescription drugs and the end of the infamous donut hole. You will also be able to spread your out of pocket drug cost out over the entire year. My guess is this will mean higher premiums for drug plans because of these changes, but I won’t know until October. So stay tuned please.
August 2024 Newsletter
I hope you are enjoying the summer and staying cool by a lake or a pool.
Our family recently (after years on the waiting list) became members of the Pinewood Lake Association here in Trumbull. It’s a very peaceful place pictured above. Tried some paddle boarding too, but I’m not coordinated enough for that.
August is Show Time for my daughter then vacation for our family. Frankie will be in the town performance of "Anything Goes" August 2-4. Soon we’re on family vacation before getting ready to get back to school and work.
July 2024 Newsletter
Happy 248th Independence Day everyone! Celebrating America's declaring of independence from Great Britain in 1776.
July is a big month for my family. On July 5th I mark 40 years as a licensed insurance agent in Connecticut. Can you believe it?
On July 10, our daughter Frankie (Anna Francesca) has a birthday and Friday, July 26 is my genius wife Amy’s birthday. I can’t tell you her age, I’ll just remember to get the cake, a mushy card, flowers and chocolate. I’m so grateful for these two ladies in my life.
I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying the summer and staying healthy and safe.
Tuesday’s Topic - 6/25/2024
This week, we continue our discussion on proposed changes to Social Security and in particular, talk through potential adjustments to the Earliest Eligibility Age.
Tuesday’s Topic - 6/18/2024
The last time the Social Security Administration raised the retirement age was 1984. Here’s my suggestion for how the SSA should raise the retirement age now.
Monday News Flash: Social Security Concerns & A Call for Compromise
I read two articles last week that I wanted to discuss my thoughts about with you. One quantifies the Baby Boomers’ anxiety over Social Security benefits and the other discussed the response from the House of Representatives after the Chief Actuaries of the Social Security Trust Fund and Medicare Trust Fund went to Capitol Hill to discuss the challenges they’re facing. Watch below:
Tuesday’s Topic - 6/11/2024
The Social Security Administration is exploring changes to the Full Retirement Age which would affect anyone turning age 62 in 2024 and older. I discuss the 7 potential changes here.
Tuesday’s Topic - 6/4/2024
This week, I’m continuing our discussion about the 2024 OASDI Trustees Report, and in particular the letter to Congress that the Board of Trustees is required to write when the trust fund is projected to expire within 10 years.
June 2024 Newsletter
June 1, 2, and 6, 2024 are my 17th wedding anniversaries to my wife Amy. She is a genius. We just celebrated at the Almondy Inn in Newport, RI. What? I never told you about our three weddings?
Tuesday’s Topic - 5/21/24
Why do 29% of people collect Social Security at the earliest eligibility age? It all comes down to 2 myths.
May 2024 Newsletter
It was great to get away on family vacation and make family memories. Thank you to so many clients who let me get back to you after vacation to work on your questions and the many people who have requested a change to your June Supplement due to the price increase. We can still make these changes in early May to be effective June 1 since Connecticut is a guaranteed issue state.
Tuesday’s Topic - 4/9/24
This week, we look further into clawbacks - and in particular, how the SSA can clawback Social Security from seniors who are in default on student loan payments.
Tuesday’s Topic - 4/2/24
I thought I would share some of my clients’ most recently asked questions, so today I’m sharing more about a new Social Security Clawback rule.
April 2024 Newsletter
It’s hard to believe our son turned 16 on Easter Sunday yesterday. Our daughter is an aspiring actress, my wife is a genius and I’m one of the luckiest guys alive. The photo above is us at "MJ the Musical."
Another reason I’m grateful is that I love what I do for a living and I appreciate all of my Medicare clients. A special thank you to the 126 clients who have now been with me for over 10 years.
Finally, 20 years ago today I met my wife Amy at her office party celebrating 5 years in business, so that means today is her 25th work anniversary. Congratulations Amy and The Healing Touch Wellness Center on 25 years in business! https://healingtouchct.com/
There's so much to be thankful for.
Tuesday’s Topic - 3/26/24
This week, I walk through how to appeal the IRMAA using the SSA-44 form.