Supplement Plan N Offers Good Value
Blog
When purchasing Medigap insurance, you are weighing benefits versus cost. At some point, the monthly premiums for more comprehensive coverage (like Plan F) may outweigh the extra benefits. In our experience, a Plan N Medicare supplement insurance policy can offer good value when compared to supplements that fill in more gaps. There are several reasons we’ve arrived at […]
June 9, 2014
Category: Medicare Supplements
Medicare Supplements & Foreign Travel
Blog
Many of our clients are curious about what they can expect from the Medicare supplement policies that cover the Foreign Travel Emergency Benefit. There are only 6 Medicare supplements offered today that fill in this gap, but it’s important to understand this benefit has some limitations. Plans C, D, F, G, M & N all cover […]
May 27, 2014
Category: Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance Special Election Periods
Blog
Health insurance open enrollment under Obamacare has different rules. Unless it’s Open Enrollment, you may not be able to purchase health insurance without a qualifying event. Special election periods will be available outside of open enrollment for those who meet certain criteria. If none of the life events listed below apply, then applicants will need […]
April 2, 2014
Category: Health Care Reform, Health Insurance
The Case For Medicare Supplement Insurance
Blog
Recently, I was contacted by a prospective client who had been going without a Medicare supplement insurance policy for a few years. She was in good health and did not feel the urgency to purchase a plan that would help fill in the gaps of Medicare Parts A & B. In the insurance industry, it is […]
March 18, 2014
Category: Medicare Supplements, Retirement Planning
The Pension Protection Act & Hybrid LTC
Blog
The Pension Protect Act (PPA) was passed by Congress in 2006 and became effective in 2010. The law provides tax advantages for consumers who wish to purchase a long term care policy using a non-qualified annuity policy. The provision in the I.R.S tax code allowing for this is called a 1035 tax free exchange. Consumers can use […]
March 10, 2014
Category: Annuities, Articles, Long Term Care Insurance
Monthly Point To Point Annuity Account
Blog
Understanding monthly point to point annuity with cap accounts is very important if you are a current or potential indexed annuity investor. Typically, these accounts offer some of the highest potential for yearly returns when markets steadily trend upward. This post is the second in our ongoing series discussing indexed annuity sub-accounts. Our first was an explanation […]
February 14, 2014
Category: Annuities, Articles, Retirement Planning
Joint Life Insurance Policies
Blog
Second to die life insurance is precisely that – a policy insuring two lives that only pays out once the second insured has passed away. This coverage is typically used for estate planning and wealth transfer preparation. Permanent insurance policies like whole and universal life are the most common types used in second to die plans. There are […]
February 9, 2014
Category: Life Insurance
Annuities With Increasing Death Benefits
Blog
In response to market demand, several insurance companies are offering annuity accounts with a guaranteed death benefit rider. These new riders increase the contract value each year by a guaranteed interest rate. The annuity death benefit proceeds will be passed on to the insured’s beneficiary(s) in a lump sum – or over the course of a predetermined […]
December 26, 2013
Category: Annuities, Articles, Retirement Planning
2014 Medicare Supplement Insurance
Blog
Each year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) make changes to Original Medicare that affect all Medicare supplement insurance polices – both old and new. We highlight those changes below. Purchasing a Medicare supplement insurance policy can be a stressful endeavor. Using our independent insurance brokerage and the information below, you can take […]
December 11, 2013
Category: Medicare Supplements, Retirement Planning
How Much Is The Obamacare Penalty?
Blog
Our insurance agency has received several inquiries about the upcoming Obamacare penalty amounts for those who do not purchase health insurance. It is important to understand how these penalties will be enforced and ways to avoid them. The penalties will vary for singles and for families and can, for some, end up being a portion of their […]
October 9, 2013
Category: Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, Uncategorized
Health Insurance Exchanges
Blog
Under current rules and regulations, you buy health insurance either on the the Federal (or in some states local) exchange or off. Here in Ohio, we are on the Federal exchange. Understanding your options will help you know whether you qualify for subsides, Medicaid and what your penalty might be. We help our clients sort […]
September 26, 2013
Category: Health Care Reform, Health Insurance
Indexed Point To Point Annuity Accounts
Blog
If you own or are considering investing in fixed-indexed annuities, it is important to understand how a point to point annuity sub-account works. In this post, we will discuss how these accounts operate and what investors can expect from them. Considered the most conservative of most indexed annuity investment options, point-to-point accounts are the least complicated. There […]
August 1, 2013
Category: Annuities, Articles, Retirement Planning
Tags: point to point annuity, point to point indexed annuity
Retirement Annuities For Income
Blog
There are several types of retirement annuity accounts offered from various insurance companies. The one that will work best for you will depend on your short and long term financial goals. If you are closer to or at retirement, then a single premium immediate annuity account might be best. If you are saving toward retirement, then a [...]
July 2, 2013
Category: Annuities, Articles, Retirement Planning
Aetna Medicare Insurance Policies
Blog
Our independent insurance agency offers Aetna Medicare insurance policies direct – at no additional cost. You can compare the lowest rates available on all Aetna plans in your state. This includes Medicare Supplements, Advantage plans, Part D Drug coverage, as well as dental, vision and hearing insurance. When purchasing supplemental insurance, it’s important to shop […]
May 23, 2013
Category: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements
Understanding Annuity Income Riders
Blog
We have written extensively about the benefits and limitations of annuity income riders. There is a lot to learn about these accounts and we do our best to educate consumers online, over the phone and in person. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the innovations with newer income riders. Not all are […]
May 23, 2013
Category: Annuities, Articles, Retirement Planning