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Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can change their drug plan or Advantage plan for the next calendar year. Supplemental Medigap plans, which have federally standardized benefits that don’t change from year to year, are not included in the fall enrollment. Medicare Advantage Plans:…
Read More“A Work In Progress”
Jefferson was living in Philadelphia when he dipped his pen in an inkwell and wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In his recent annual address…
Read MoreMid-Year Reviews More Important Than Ever
Mention summer and most of us picture swimming, boating, camping, backyard barbecues and scenic vacations. In contrast, the summer of 2020 evokes many challenging and painful images due to our ongoing battle with COVID-19 and rising social unrest. But even when life doesn’t feel the same, it’s important to maintain normal routines to safeguard our…
Read MoreDefeat the Villains
To say we all have a lot on our minds these days is a massive understatement. Unfortunately, bad actors and scammers know we are preoccupied. And, as they often do in a crisis, they’re ramping up their nefarious activities. There has been an increase in email and text message phishing, social media posts and fake…
Read MoreHealth Provisions in COVID-19 Stimulus Legislation
Recent COVID-19 stimulus packages allocated billions to health care providers for eligible expenses to combat the disease and included health-related provisions directly impacting individuals, such as: Sick leave and family leave: Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), private-sector companies with fewer than 500 employees and certain public employers must pay qualifying employees up…
Read MoreRethinking Required Minimum Distributions in 2020
Last week President Trump signed into law the bipartisan COVID-19 stimulus bill. One of the facets of the bill includes welcome tax relief for retirees. The required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for IRAs and 401(k)s are waived for 2020. This means that you don’t have to take money out this year and can keep it…
Read MoreCredit Card Benefits You May Not Know About
Most of us know the number one rule for using credit cards is to avoid building up a balance we can’t pay off promptly. What many of us don’t know about credit cards is the number of benefits they often offer (in addition to purchase rewards). Here are some that are common: Extra security: With…
Read MoreMarket Commentary for the Week of October 2, 2017
The Markets Technology gains helped the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ advance to record levels Friday. The three major indexes completed the quarter with solid gains; the S&P closed its sixth month of gains. For the week, the Dow rose 0.25 percent to close at 22,405.09. The S&P gained 0.72 percent to finish at…
Read MoreMarket Commentary for the Week of September 25, 2017
For the Week of September 25, 2017 The Markets Stocks wavered Friday amid continued threats from North Korea and concerns over the latest proposed healthcare bill. At closing, The S&P and the NASDAQ posted marginal gains while the Dow fell. For the week, the Dow rose 0.36 percent to close at 22,349.59. The S&P gained…
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