retirement planning – Retirement Risk Advisors

13May

An Overview of the Enrollment Periods for Medicare

BlogMay 13, 2023

The program offers a range of benefits to help individuals manage their health care expenses, including hospital insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B), prescription drug coverage (Part D), and Medicare Advantage (Part C). However, to access these benefits, individuals must enroll in Medicare during specific enrollment periods.

There are various enrollment periods for Medicare, each with its own set of rules and eligibility criteria. Here is a breakdown of the different enrollment periods and what you need to know about each:

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

The Initial Enrollment Period is the first opportunity for eligible individuals to enroll in Medicare. The IEP lasts for seven months and begins three months before the month of an individual’s 65th birthday and ends three months after their 65th birthday. If an individual is already receiving Social Security benefits, they will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B during their IEP.

General Enrollment Period (GEP)

The General Enrollment Period is for individuals who missed their IEP and did not sign up for Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). The GEP runs from January 1st to March 31st every year, and coverage begins on July 1st. However, individuals who enroll during the GEP may be subject to late enrollment penalties.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP) The Special Enrollment Period is for individuals who experience certain qualifying life events, such as moving to a new area or losing employer-sponsored health insurance. The SEP allows these individuals to enroll in Medicare outside of the standard enrollment periods. The length of the SEP and the eligibility criteria vary depending on the qualifying life event.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

The Annual Enrollment Period, also known as the Open Enrollment Period, is an opportunity for individuals to make changes to their Medicare coverage. The AEP runs from October 15th to December 7th every year, and changes made during this period take effect on January 1st of the following year. During the AEP, individuals can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or make changes to their Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period allows individuals who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. The OEP runs from January 1st to March 31st every year.

Medicare Supplement Enrollment Period

Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, help individuals cover the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. The Medicare Supplement Enrollment Period is a six-month window that begins on the first day of the month in which an individual turns 65 and is enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, individuals can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without undergoing medical underwriting.

23Mar

Estate Planning IS Retirement Planning

BlogMarch 23, 2023

Retirement planning is an important part of ensuring financial stability in your golden years. It involves budgeting, saving, and investing to ensure you have the necessary funds to support your lifestyle when you retire. However, another essential aspect that is often overlooked in retirement planning is estate planning. Estate planning is the process of deciding for the management and distribution of your assets after your death. Here are some reasons why estate planning should be included in your retirement planning:

Protect Your Assets

Estate planning can help ensure that your assets are protected and passed on to your loved ones according to your wishes. Without a proper estate plan, the probate court will determine how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your preferences.

Avoid Family Disputes

An estate plan can also help avoid family disputes over your assets. It is not uncommon for families to fight over inheritances, and a clear and comprehensive estate plan can help prevent such disputes.

Minimize Taxes

Estate planning can also help minimize the tax burden on your estate. By taking advantage of strategies such as gifting and trusts, you can reduce the amount of taxes owed and ensure that more of your assets are passed on to your beneficiaries.

Plan for Incapacity

Estate planning can also include a power of attorney or healthcare proxy, which will allow someone to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated. This can be important in retirement, as the risk of cognitive decline or health problems increases as we age.

Peace of Mind

Finally, including estate planning in your retirement planning can provide peace of mind, knowing that your affairs are in order and your loved ones will be taken care of after you are gone.

In conclusion, estate planning should be an essential part of retirement planning. It can help protect your assets, avoid family disputes, minimize taxes, plan for incapacity, and provide peace of mind. It’s important to work with a qualified estate planning attorney to ensure that your estate plan is tailored to your individual needs and preferences.

21Feb

Benefits of a Mega Backdoor Roth

BlogFebruary 21, 2023

One strategy for retirement planning that has gained popularity in recent years is the Mega Backdoor Roth. This is a savings strategy that allows high-income earners to contribute large amounts of after-tax dollars to their retirement accounts.

What is a Mega Backdoor Roth?

A Mega Backdoor Roth is a savings strategy that allows high-income earners to contribute additional after-tax dollars to their 401(k) plan, beyond the traditional contribution limits. This is done by using the non-discrimination testing exception, which allows employees to contribute up to the IRS annual limit ($19,500 in 2022) to their 401(k), and then contribute additional after-tax dollars up to a plan-specific limit. These after-tax dollars can then be rolled over into a Roth IRA, where they can grow tax-free.

Benefits of a Mega Backdoor Roth

Tax-Free Growth

The primary benefit of a Mega Backdoor Roth is the tax-free growth of contributions. Once after-tax dollars are rolled over into a Roth IRA, they can grow tax-free, meaning that retirees can withdraw the money without paying taxes on the contributions or earnings. This can be a significant advantage for high-income earners who are in higher tax brackets.

More Savings

The Mega Backdoor Roth allows high-income earners to save more money for retirement. By contributing after-tax dollars to a 401(k) plan and then rolling them over into a Roth IRA, individuals can save more than they would be able to with traditional contribution limits. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are behind on their retirement savings.

No Required Minimum Distributions

Another benefit of a Mega Backdoor Roth is that there are no required minimum distributions (RMDs). Traditional IRAs and 401(k) plans require individuals to begin taking distributions at age 72, which can result in higher taxes and potentially push retirees into higher tax brackets. With a Roth IRA, there are no RMDs, allowing retirees to let their money grow tax-free for as long as they choose.

Estate Planning

A Mega Backdoor Roth can also be a useful tool for estate planning. By contributing after-tax dollars to a Roth IRA, individuals can leave a tax-free inheritance to their beneficiaries. This can be particularly beneficial for high-net-worth individuals who are concerned about estate taxes.

Overall, a Mega Backdoor Roth can be a powerful tool for high-income earners to save more money for retirement and take advantage of tax-free growth. However, it’s important to note that this strategy is not suitable for everyone. Individuals should consult with a financial advisor to determine if a Mega Backdoor Roth is the right strategy for their retirement plan. With careful planning and the right strategy, retirees can maximize their savings and prepare for a comfortable retirement.

07Dec

Keep Retirement Strategy in Mind This Holiday Season

BlogDecember 7, 2022

With the holidays rapidly approaching, a goal often set during these times is to diversify your retirement funds. With retirement investment there are two main focuses: investing/saving and distribution. During retirement you are at your most vulnerable financially because a regular paycheck is not coming in. It is the longest self-imposed period of unemployment most folks face. The following is fantastic advice for when you are trying to invest.

Your retirement planned around living and may seem expensive to support. Remember, roughly 55% of folk live beyond their life expectancy. So, it is important to plan for the long haul. A long-term investment sustains a better savings, but there are risks being found there. Short-term investments usually have higher yields. It is important to balance these.

Spending now can save more money for the long road. An example of this is withdrawing properly to avoid provisional income.

Be reasonable when it comes to expectations. Historical returns may not be what your portfolio does. Returns typically fall below the average. However, this can be balance with a diversification of accounts. Though we have historically low interest rates, this means bond returns will not impact retirement much. This will affect those who have retired most.

Heedless of where you are at in retirement planning, relying solely on plans that require higher returns is dangerous. If you expect to make more in the future, that means spending much more upfront. Stocks carry a higher risk than bonds, so they will yield higher return rates. Simply put: Spending more today and expecting higher returns in the future is risky business. The risks and consequences must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Strategy should always be a top priority. Diversifying your retirement portfolio is just a start. Considering all the risks you will face in retirement is the next stop. Putting all your funds in one bucket will expose you to much more risk—taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free. Integrate different approaches and accounts to combat inflation, tax rates, rate of return, and even long-term care.

Crafty holidays savings to think about when retirement planning

22Nov

Crafty Savings as You Plan for Retirement this Holiday Season

BlogNovember 22, 2022

As retirement approaches, learning ways to spend less during the holidays is helpful! Shifting focus to doing so before retirement can also prepare you for when you’re living in the longest, self-imposed period of unemployment—heedless of what your retirement portfolio may look like!

Rethinking budget is a great first step. If you already have holiday decorations, don’t buy more; especially if they’re still in mint condition. This way it is one less expense on the holiday budget. Decide how much you want to spend on gifts overall and allocate so much to food. Remembering, be strict about your budget limits. If you can spend even less, do it!

For gifts, decide for who and how much per person. If you are able, shop in-stores versus online. This will save you shipping costs. If you want to gift a lot of people, consider doing smaller gifts for everyone. If there are couples on your holiday gift list, provide them with a gift card for a date night. The best gifts are also gifts homemade. Mass bake cookies or bread and give those out! You could always get crafty if you are able and make ornaments or simple photos collages. Lastly, another great idea would be the gift experiences. Much like giving a couple a gift card for a night out, take the grandkids together for a fun day to a public place such as a trampoline activity center or take your kids out of dinner once the holiday season calms down.

Meals, small or big, should be evaluated. If you are typically the one to hold a large family dinner in your home, see if family members can split making sides and desserts. Do a potluck. If you have done bigger family holiday dinners and are not feeling up to it, be honest with you family. Tell them you wish to not host the holiday this year or limit how many people you have over. This way the cost is either split up or at least reduced.

Take advantage of gift bundles and sales. A lot of places do gift bundles for things such as sample sizes for lotions or mini candle sets. Look into places that do gift card/certificate deals. Some food chain restaurants will give a packet of coupons if $50, for example, is spent on gift cards. Sometimes places will event gift “free” gift card money for a set amount on gift cards—buy $25, get $5 included.

01Nov

When Planning to Age in Place

BlogNovember 1, 2022

Trying to plan may be hard since you never know exactly what your needs will be. But thinking of what may happen and those what ifs are great places to start. Consider your family medical history and your personal medical history. Think of your living situation, too. Have you lived alone or close by to family your entire life? Do you and your spouse both have long life expectancies?

Begin by talking with your doctor about your family and personal medical history and see how specific diseases and disorders may affect your mobility, mentality, and daily living. Read up on and discuss with other retirees their experiences, too.

Another great aspect in planning to age at home is the accessibility to help and care. Though it will sometimes come at a cost for services, there usually are many local and states offices that offer help to elders. Care options you may want to consider and plan for:

Personal care – Such as bathing, hairstyling, and even dressing, a family member or a trained aide could come in for your morning routine if you need.

Household care – Grocery shopping, lawncare, and even cleaning. Many groceries stores will do over the phone or online orders and deliver them to your home post-pandemic. Hiring help for housework and lawncare will be easier since these services are always available through various companies, large and small. If you already know someone who has a lawncare specialist or housekeeper, you may be able to hire them, too.

Cooking and meals – Meals are a good time to stay social. Perhaps each week host some friends or family and have a little potluck. Not only will there be leftovers for yourself and the others, but you can spend time catching up with family or friends. Eating out may even be an option. There are meal delivery programs that are low-cost or even free.

Financial care – The biggest worry for retirees is money management. Ranging from paying bills on time to medical bills and health insurance, depending on where you live, there are resources you have access to. Having a conversation with a trusted family member like a child or niece or nephew about your finances is an excellent first step. If you are able, hire a financial advisor to make sure everything looks good. Paying bills online and setting up autopay will ensure that utility bills and monthly premiums are paid on time. Some banks even offer financial services for seniors for free if you have been banking with them for a while.

The trick with financial care in retirement, especially as you age, is to make sure you do not fall victim to scams. Never give sensitive information like your Social Security number or banking information to someone unless you placed the call. Regularly check (or have someone do so) bills to make sure there are not unusual charges.

Health care – Often a tricky category, making sure you are covered here ranges from taking your medicine on time to hospital stays and aftercare. For medicines, there are special pill boxes that allow you to set out an entire week’s worth of medicine at once. If you have recently had a hospital stay and need to arrange aftercare such as temporary assisted living or rehabilitation, if your family is unable to, discharge planners at most hospitals can plan with you. Some insurance, even Medicare plans, may cover all or a portion of a home health aide. And lastly, if you need the doctor’s recommendations and directions written, your doctor or nurse can make sure those are in the summary for you. Or a family member or friend can help with those during your stay.

Social Security Benefit increase for 2023

14Oct

What the Social Security 2023 Increase Means for You Now and Later

BlogOctober 14, 2022

The Social Security Administration announced that there will be an 8.7% cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) beginning January 2023. Overall, this means benefits will increase an average of $140 a month.

The COLA rate is determined by the consumer price index (CPI) which relies on the U.S. inflation rate. While many thought 2022 COLA increase (5.9%) was large, the 2023 increase of 8.7% is the largest since 1981. Here is a quick breakdown of how Social Security benefits will change: For the average Social Security recipient an extra $1752 will be seen yearly, increasing benefits on average from $1681 to $1827. The average couple receiving benefits will see a yearly increase of $2856.

However, this increase does not factor in taxes. The one who giveth will also taketh. Under current law, if you are a single taxpayer, you will be taxed 0% on your Social Security benefits if you have provisional income under $25,000. Your Social Security benefits can be taxed up to 50% if your provisional income is between $25,000-34,000; and up to 85% can be taxed if your provisional income is over $34,000.

For those married and filing jointly, provisional income less than $32,000 results in zero taxation on your Social Security benefits. Between $25,000-44,000 your benefits can be taxed up to 50%; and from provisional income over $44,000 up to 85% of your benefits can be taxed.

Today, the Social Security Administration reports that roughly half of Social Security beneficiaries pay taxes on their benefits. With the COLA increase of 8.7%, more could be paying taxes in 2023. And depending on which state you live in, you may be paying more tax at both the federal and state level when it comes to taxes on your Social Security benefits.

COLA increases are always giving long-term. Once you reach 62, the increases are automatically included into your benefits. Heedless of when you take them, the increases are cumulative meaning the next COLA increase is determined off the new “base” Social Security benefits. This means even for spousal, survivor, or divorce benefits, you will still receive the COLA increases no matter when you enroll.

13Oct

2023 Means Savings on Medicare

BlogOctober 13, 2022

Medicare beneficiaries will pay lower Part B premiums for coverage come 2023. Those who are paying these premiums need to be aware of two major changes.

For this upcoming year, the premium for Part B will decrease by 3% to $164.90. The annual deductible will also decrease from $233 to $226 for 2023.

Sometimes people do not know they are paying their Part B premiums because when you elect to enroll in Medicare, your premiums come directly out of your Social Security benefits.

Moreover, since CMS regulates Medicare Part D, even though the prescription coverage is sold by private insurances, there is a good chance that many will see a general decrease in Part D premiums, too. Unfortunately, since the private insurers set the terms and limits of these policies, there is not set amount for the decrease like Part B has. CMS is predicted that an almost 2% decrease may happen for Part D. If there is a change to your plan, you will receive a statement in the mail notifying you. If you do not receive any statement, please call your insurance directly or check online.

Lastly, another major change CMS announced were changes to income brackets and rates for the premium surtax for Medicare. This surtax is known as income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). This is in addition for higher income beneficiaries to the Part B base premium of $164.90 everyone pays. This also is an addition to Part D premiums for higher income beneficiaries.

This surtax is imposed on modified adjusted gross incomes starting at $97,000 for a single person and $194,000 for married couples who file a joint return and maxes out at $500,000 of MAGI for a single person and $750,000 for a married couple fling a joint return. The maximum Part B premium if you hit the top income limits would be $560.50. For Part D the imposed surtax would be an additional maximum of $76.40. It is important to note that the highest bracket ($500,000/$750,000) discussed here is not adjusted for inflation, but the lower brackets are. So over time, more and more people will be moved into the top bracket and will pay the higher Medicare Part B premiums due to inflation.

04Oct

Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation: What Are They?

BlogOctober 4, 2022

Unfortunately, financial abuse and exploitation is a reality many seniors face in their retirement. Strikingly, financial institutions have reported the number of these incidents tripling since 2017. And no matter how big or small the deception may be, it leaves elders financially and even emotionally devastated.

The question remains: how can you protect yourself and your loved ones from it? Having a solid understanding of what elder financial abuse and exploitation is, how to spot red flags, and what preventative measures can be put in place is a great place to start.

What is elder financial abuse and exploitation?

Elder financial abuse and exploitation are when someone within the elder’s life misuses or takes advantage of their assets for their own benefit. Oftentimes, it is done without the consent or knowledge of the victim and can leaves them without significant financial resources they worked hard to save. The worst part is family, friends, or even caregivers can commit elder abuse or financial exploitation. It is not uncommon for force, harassment, or threats to be involved either.

Why does elder financial abuse go unreported?

It is estimated billions of dollars per year is lost to elder abuse and financial exploitation. And sadly, financial exploitation can be even harder than physical elder abuse to detect. Circumstances vary and warning signs are not always prevalent.

There are four major reasons why the financial abuse goes unreported:

A trusted family member or caregiver is the abuser
Vulnerable older adult doesn’t know it happened until too late
Victim experiences overwhelming shame
Elder doesn’t know who to tell or where to report

The abuser may be someone the senior relies on for basic needs and care and fearing further abuse and retaliation is often part of the situation to why the abuse goes unreported. A victim’s lack of mentality or physical ability also factors into why the abuse may go unreported.

Reporting the exploitation and abuse can be a very overwhelming experience. And the process varies immensely state to state. Fortunately, your local adult protective services can help guide you through the process for you or a loved one and point you to resources you didn’t even know of.

Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and retirement planning

15Aug

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and Its Impact on Your Retirement

BlogAugust 15, 2022

As a watered-down version of the Build Back Better Act of 2021, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is set to be signed by President this week. The bill is designed to reduce the deficit and lower inflation while investing in domestic energy production and lower prescription drug costs. On top of the deficit reduction projected to be more than $290 billion, this bill allows Medicare to negotiate lower drug costs and extends the Affordable Care Act program through 2025. The goal: lower consumer costs and help the nation reduce emissions long-term.

Once signed into law, how will my retirement be impacted?

Your retirement will be impact someway somehow.

The deficit reduction is intended to fight inflation by cutting the taxes Americans are paying. With the capability to reduce inflation, your retirement income will have more spending power, and we will eventually hopefully enter a period of deflation. However, there is a slim chance we will see a dent in inflation this year with this bill.

Since Medicare will be able to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies the savings will impact retirees directly. In addition, a $2000 out-of-pocket cap for Medicare enrollees buying prescriptions comes along with preventative vaccines being free.

Moreover, since the ACA program is being extended, the Covid-19 subsidies helping make insurance more affordable for some Americans. Good news: this is most applicable to those who had to retire early and aren’t eligible for Medicare just yet.

With the focus of the Inflation Reduction Act being partially on cleaner energy investments, business and consumers can participate in clean energy investment incentives, too. Businesses themselves can receive a tax credit for clean energy manufacturing, and another tax credit for wind and solar energy production. Consumers get to enjoy the tax credit incentives for greener options for investing in renewable energy and further tax credits for buying electric cars, new and used.