Grandfather carrying grandson on shoulders. Boy and man carrying american flags.
July 11, 2024
 | 
Written By:
Brian Goldman
 - 
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser

July 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to our July newsletter! Below you will find important details on Medicare Supplement insurance, expert tips for staying healthy, and much more. Continue reading below for valuable information on staying hydrated and as always, a delicious summer recipe.

Your Medicare Supplement Acceptance: Is Your Acceptance Guaranteed?

Medicare Supplement Insurance ("Medigap") is private coverage. It can help cover what Original Medicare does not - for example, copays and coinsurance.

Here’s an important question: Can you be turned down for this coverage? Generally, the answer is no.

Under federal law, you get a 6-month Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period. It starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and you’re 65 or older. During this time:

You can buy any Medicare Supplement policy sold in your state. An insurance company can’t use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application -- they can’t deny you coverage due to pre-existing health problems.

However, after the enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy, or it may cost more.

There’s much more to know about Medicare Supplement Insurance. Contact me to learn all the details. There’s no obligation.

It’s estimated that about 14 million seniors have Medicare Supplement Insurance.
SOURCE: (Tuffin, American’s Health Insurance Plans).

Stepping out

To help improve fitness, many of us are counting our steps these days.

But how many daily steps are enough?

Research suggests that health benefits begin between 2,500 and 2,700 steps a day (Medical News Today.)

Previous recommendations for 10,000 have been questioned. Mortality risk levels have been shown to "level off" at around 6,000 to 8,000 steps for older adults (UNC Gillings School of Public Health).

Ask your doctor how you can step up to fitness.

Dehydration

Dehydration can be dangerous, especially in the summer. And seniors are at a higher risk for the condition than other age groups (Web MD).

The condition can lead to severe complications, such as seizures, swelling of the brain, kidney failure, shock, coma, even death. Remember, the first sign of dehydration can simply be extreme thirst (which some seniors have been found to ignore).

Other indicators include muscle weakness, lethargy, and dry mouth.

Hydrating drinks can be helpful. Some of the best hydrating drinks identified as suitable for seniors include water with a twist of lemon juice, seltzer mineral waters, unsweetened herbal tea, and vegetable juices.

Should You Pay More for Higher Priced, “Brand Name” Vitamins?

Experts say the quality of vitamins varies according to the amount of actual nutrients in each dose (CNET).

Reports say higher or lower priced (generally store brand) vitamins may contain fillers or undesirable material.

Researchers found that paying more for a name brand won't necessarily buy you better vitamins (New York Times).

Look for a vitamin that has been evaluated by a third-party organization. Many lower-cost vitamins will meet testing standards.

Make sure to check expiration dates on vitamins. Dispose of those past their expiration date.

Good Taste, Good Health

Easy Grilled Chicken Breasts

Easy Grilled Chicken Breasts

These grilled chicken breasts are easy and quick to prepare and versatile. Season with different herbs, add barbecue sauce, serve in a salad.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup cider or red wine vinegar
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Kosher salt or to taste
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp sugar -- granulated or brown
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

DIRECTIONS: Pound chicken with meat mallet to 1/2" thickness. Combine all marinade ingredients in bowl or plastic storage bag. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 min and up to 4 hours. Preheat grill to med high heat. Place chicken on grill, allowing excess marinade to drip into bowl or bag. Discard remaining marinade. Grill chicken for 7-8 min per side or to an internal temperature of 165°. Allow chicken to rest for 3 - 5 minutes before slicing.

SOURCE: SpendWithPennies.com

DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT JULY?

July 2, 1788 - Congress announced the U.S. Constitution had been ratified by the required nine states.

July 7, 1898 - The U.S. annexed Hawaii.

July 16, 1969 - The Apollo 11 lunar landing mission began with liftoff from Kennedy Space Center.

July 25, 1909 -The world's first international overseas airplane flight was achieved by Louis Bleriot in a small “monoplane.”

SOURCE: The History Place

July Birthdays: Kevin Hart (July 6), Jane Lynch (14), Sandra Bullock (26), Mark Cuban (31)

SOURCE: The History Place

Senior Financial Glossary

"Without Recourse" This situation occurs when items are sold "as is," without any guarantees.

A whole life annuity can provide monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments to a person, beginning at an agreed upon date.

A wholesale price index (WPI) measures change in the overall price of goods before they are sold at retail.

Wide-ranging days occur when the high and low prices of a stock are much further apart than they are on a typical day.

Working capital is a measure of a company’s liquidity and short-term financial health.

SOURCE: Investopedia

Quote of the Month

“I believe any success in life is made by going into an area with a blind optimism.”
- Sylvester Stallone

View Last Month's answers

SOURCE: BrainyQuote©

For information about Medicare or Claiming Social Security, please visit briangoldman.myasbagent.net. Should you have any questions, please email me at brian.goldman@successfs.com or call 412-897-0760.  

Brian Goldman
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser
412-897-0760brian.goldman@successfs.com