October 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to American Senior Benefits October 2024 Newsletter! Continue reading below for important information on Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, view some thoughts on “positive aging,” discover a tasty recipe, and more.

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AEP: What You Can Do Right Now…

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is underway. AEP is from October 15th to December 7th each year. This is your opportunity to make changes to your health care -- including your prescription drug coverage.

Please look at the changes you can make during this AEP.

Change from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare.
Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.
Join, drop, or switch to a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan.

Remember, be sure to ontact me if you have any questions about your current plan or AEP itself. (AEP takes place October 15th to December 7th).

Any Medicare changes you make during AEP go into effect on January 1, 2025.

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On the Road

Which drivers are better behind the wheel — older people or younger folks?

Research shows older adults may benefit from their years of driving experience.

That can mean better risk assessment and better ability to navigate challenges out on the road.

Further, compared to young drivers, seniors are less likely to drink and drive, speed, ignore road signs, drive in bad weather, and drive at night.

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The average age people stop driving is 75. (AARP)

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‘Positive Aging’

Getting older can bring changes to your health and even create some emotional concerns. Some of this is normal; some is not.

There is a growing “movement” with the goal of helping seniors grapple with the challenges of getting older: Positive Aging (Choosing Therapy).

Here are some of the basic ideas behind positive aging:

Acknowledging that growing old is a normal and natural part of life.
Believing that aging can be a positive and rewarding experience.
Embracing change.
Appreciating and accepting the reality of aging, rather than fighting it.
Caring for the physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and social needs of the aging person.
Redefining meaning and purpose throughout the lifespan.

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Social Security Signatures

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that physical signatures would no longer be required on more than 30 forms. Digital signatures will be accepted on these forms, and 13 forms will no longer require signatures at all.

The SSA feels that the use of digital signatures will speed up the application process.

If you have questions, feel free to contact me.

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Good Taste, Good Health

Baked Steak

You really don’t need a grill to cook a delicious steak. This oven-baked steak recipe yields a tender sirloin and a pleasantly caramelized exterior. Plus, it has few ingredients and is easy to make!

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbsp olive oil
4 beef top sirloin steaks (8 oz each)
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 tbsp butter

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375°. Pat steaks dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet to med-high. In batches, cook steak until the edges form a golden brown crust, 2-3 min per side.
Top each steak with 1 tbsp butter. Transfer skillet to the oven and cook until meat reaches desired doneness. (For medium-rare, your meat thermometer should read 135°; for medium, 140°; for medium-well, 145°), all for 3-4 min. Let steak rest for 5 min before serving.

SOURCE: Taste Of Home

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DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT OCTOBER?

October 1, 1949 -- The People's Republic of China was founded.

October 4, 1965 -- Pope Paul VI became the first Pope to visit the U.S. and the first to address the United Nations.

October 20, 1818 -- The U.S. and Great Britain agreed to set the U.S.- Canadian border at the 49th parallel.

October 24, 1861 -- The first transcontinental telegram in America was sent from San Francisco to Washington, addressed to President Abraham Lincoln from the Chief Justice of California.

SOURCE: The History Place

October Celebrity Birthdays: Travis Kelce (October 5), Cardi B. (11), John Lithgow (19), Kim Kardashian (21)

SOURCE: Famous Birthdays

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Senior Financial Glossary

A widow’s exemption refers to a reduction of tax burdens on a taxpayer following the death of a spouse.

Wildcatting refers to a practice instituted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that calls for the review of an entire industry whenever critical problems are found within one or two companies in that industry.

The ‘Willie Sutton Rule’ is based on a statement by American bank robber Willie Sutton, who, when asked about why he stole from banks, answered: “Because that's where the money is.”.

A windfall tax is a tax levied by governments against certain industries when economic conditions allow those industries to experience significantly above-average profits.