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Under a new pilot program, Medicare beneficiaries may be able to obtain certain GLP-1 medications for weight loss and weight management for $50 per month if they meet eligibility criteria. While beneficiaries must be enrolled in a Part D plan to qualify for the GLP-1 Bridge program, it will be run separately by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As a result, the $50 monthly copay will not count toward enrollees' deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums. The pilot, w

Despite expected longevity increasing, more and more people will also need long-term care at some point in their lives. Most people prefer to create their own reality about long-term care rather than face the truth. But in the event of a long-term care need, it's important that the family stays focused on the emotional and physical needs of the person needing care. Having properly planned for this eventuality with insurance coverage allows them to do so. Many families assume

Your Options During Medicare Fall Open Enrollment Period It’s officially October, which means the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) kicks off from October 15th through December 7th! This is your yearly window to review your health and prescription plan, ensure your favorite doctors stay in-network, and make sure your medications don't turn into a financial fright. Don't auto-pilot your plan—a quick review now ensures zero spooky surprises come January. Review your curre

Medicare health benefits can be confusing, so it is important to know what is available and what to expect before you sign up. You have three months before you turn 65, the month you turn, and three months after you turn 65 to decide how extensive the Medicare benefits you want to have. The options are: Original Medicare, which is fee-for-service coverage traditionally provided by the government; Supplemental insurance (also known as Medigap) that works alongside Original Med

As millions of baby boomers in the United States reach old age every year, experts predict the number of long-term care patients will double over the next 30 years. What does that mean for you? It means that if you don't have a long-term care plan in place, you and your family may have to face some tough choices down the road. Read on to learn why a long-term care plan is critical for every baby boomer. Americans are living increasingly longer lives. Recent estimates give a

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you will want to pay extra close attention to your plan materials for changes to your plan coming in 2027. Not doing so could mean that you no longer have access to your doctor or the pharmaceuticals you need if your insurer makes changes. Rising medical costs, regulatory shifts, and squeezed MA insurers' margins are driving many companies to cut back on perks, raise your share of costs, and reshape networks. Additionally

The Aegon Center for Longevity and Retirement worked with Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies to release a survey about retirement outlooks for self-employed individuals. Their study base spanned 15 countries, including the United States. Over the years, self-employment has been a term linked mostly to professionals, some trade workers, and entrepreneurs. With so many advances in technology, many people are self-employed today with their own websites, online businesses

Millions of Medicare beneficiaries with standalone Part D prescription drug plans may see higher monthly premiums in 2027 after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it will end a temporary premium stabilization program a year earlier than planned. The program was created in 2024 to ease the transition to major changes in Medicare Part D under the Inflation Reduction Act. CMS has estimated that without the program, an average beneficiary enrolled in a standal

Medicare health benefits seem confusing to many people, so it is important to learn what is available and what to expect before you have to sign up. You have three months before you turn 65, the month you turn and three months after you are 65 to decide how extensive the Medicare benefits you would like to have. The options are: Original Medicare, which is fee-for-service coverage traditionally provided by the government; Supplemental insurance (also known as Medigap) that wo

For many retirees, one of the biggest changes after leaving the workforce is that the government eventually requires them to withdraw money from certain retirement accounts. These withdrawals, known as required minimum distributions, apply to most traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s. Missing an RMD deadline can trigger significant tax penalties, making it important to understand the rules and plan ahead. Under current law, individ