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Health insurance premiums and medical bills can feel hard to control. One way to make these costs more manageable is through a health savings account, or HSA. It lets you save pretax dollars, then withdraw your money tax free to pay for health care. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, contributions and withdrawals. Eligibility You must have a qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to open and contribute to an HSA. You can get your qualified plan through work or the health insurance marketplace, and you can open an HSA through your employer or on your own. You also won’t lose your account if you’re laid off or change jobs. You’re not eligible for an HSA if you’re enrolled in Medicare or if someone can claim you as a dependent on their tax return. Contributions The most you can contribute in 2025 is $4,300 if your plan only covers you, and $8,550 if it covers you and a spouse or dependent. Taxpayers 55 and older can each contribute an extra $1,000. Withdrawals You don’t have to spend all your HSA funds each year. You can leave the money in your account indefinitely. You can also spend it in years when you don’t have a high-deductible plan. If you withdraw the money for anything other than a qualified medical expense, you’ll owe income tax at your marginal rate. If you’re younger than 65, you’ll also owe a 20% penalty. Long-Term Planning Some people invest HSA contributions they won’t need to withdraw for at least 10 years. Why? An HSA is the only account with no taxes on contributions, no taxes on growth and no taxes on withdrawals used to pay qualified medical expenses—it’s a triple tax advantage. Wondering how to open an HSA or have questions about how it works? Get in touch for assistance.

If you’re 60 or older, you might think the opportunity to buy life insurance has passed you by. While premiums do increase with age, you may have more options than you realize for term or permanent life insurance — even if you have some health issues. Here’s what to know: Do seniors even need life insurance? Maybe you’ve retired and no longer have coverage through work, or the term policy you bought when you were younger has expired. Yet, you don’t have enough assets to help your loved ones maintain their quality of life or avoid burdening them with your end-of-life expenses. Life insurance is designed to solve problems like these, even when you’re older. Do you need temporary coverage? A term life policy provides coverage for a predetermined number of years. Maybe you thought you’d have a paid-off home by now, but instead you have 10 years left on your mortgage. A 10-year term policy may be a good choice. Do you need permanent protection? Burial or final expense insurance is a whole life policy with a small death benefit (often $50,000 or less). It’s designed for older adults who have health issues or can’t afford a larger policy. There’s no medical exam to qualify; you only have to answer a medical questionnaire. If you’re eligible for a simplified issue policy, your coverage will begin as soon as you’re approved. If you have serious medical conditions, you can get a guaranteed issue policy. It has no medical questionnaire but doesn’t pay a death benefit for the first two years. If you die during that time, the insurance company will refund your premiums to your estate. Many seniors (and their adult children) have financial concerns that life insurance could address. Let’s explore your options today.

Getting health insurance through your job is often a major perk. Group coverage can offer better benefits at a lower cost than individual coverage. But what if you don’t like the plans offered by your employer? Maybe the premiums are too high or your doctors aren’t in network. The good news? You may have other options. The bad news? Rejecting employer coverage can make the alternatives less attractive. Affordable Care Act Marketplace Coverage Through HealthCare.gov or your state’s health insurance exchange, you can shop for individual coverage. If your income is low enough, you may receive premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions that make premiums and care more affordable. You won’t be eligible for these money-saving features, however, if your employer’s plan meets the ACA’s requirements for affordability and minimum value . Tax Breaks on Workplace Coverage If your employer offers coverage, they’re probably paying most of the premium . Your employer considers that expense part of your compensation. Yet, if you reject coverage, you’re unlikely to get a raise. Plus, when you get coverage through work, you pay your premiums with pretax dollars — a savings you typically don’t get with individual coverage. Timing When you reject employer coverage outside of annual enrollment, you won’t be able to get a marketplace plan or opt back into employer coverage unless you have a qualifying life event. You’ll still be able to buy an individual plan outside of the marketplace, but these plans aren’t eligible for subsidies or cost sharing. Make an Informed Choice Before opting out of employer coverage, let us help you evaluate your options. We can help you compare multiple plans with your workplace insurance so you can make an informed decision and get the best policy for your budget.

Medical misinformation is any false claim about a disease or treatment that is presented as true. Unlike disinformation, which is meant to cause harm, misinformation is sometimes shared in good faith. Other times, misinformation comes from technically accurate claims that are misleadingly presented to sell products or services. In any case, the result can be negative: wasted money, a harmful treatment or harmful avoidance of an effective treatment. Here are some ways to identify potential misinformation before you act on it or share it as truth. Who is the source? You wouldn’t ask a fashion designer how to repair a sewer line. Taking advice about cancer treatments from an actor doesn’t make a lot of sense, either. A trustworthy source will have relevant experience and credentials. Why is the source sharing this information? Even when a source is reputable, be cautious when they have a profit motive. How objective is the information? A trustworthy source will present perspectives other than their own and acknowledge the pros and cons of different possibilities. Who conducted and published the study? The “scientific research” proving a product’s efficacy may have been conducted by the same company who sells it. An “independent” study’s true funding sources can be hard to pin down. And even the most respected journals have published studies they had to retract. We all want to believe we’re too smart to fall for misinformation, but it happens to the best of us. Before you try (or refuse) a treatment you’re unsure about, ask your physician — or get a second opinion from a different doctor. Give us a call if you need help finding providers in your insurance network.

Choosing to retire is a privilege that only about half of older workers enjoy. Many people leave the workforce earlier and more abruptly than they expected to, according to a 2025 study from the Employee Benefit Research Institute . But if you’re able to keep working after you officially retire from your current job, should you? Here are some financial, social and health aspects to consider: Pro: Extra money — How many headlines have you seen about the financial benefits of working an extra few years or even months? It could preserve your savings, boost your cash flow and increase your Social Security. Con: Extra taxes — Retirees may have taxable income from Social Security, required minimum distributions (RMDs), pensions, annuities and more. Earned income could mean higher taxes and Medicare premiums, making work a less valuable trade-off for free time. Pro: Opportunities to socialize — If you easily make friends at work, you might want to keep that outlet for connecting with others. Con: Less free time — A job commitment could mean less time and energy for cherished friends and family. Staying involved with your professional society could be a more relaxed alternative. Pro: Maintaining your strengths — Intellectual jobs can keep your mind sharp, while even slightly physical jobs can help you stay mobile and strong. Flexible, low-pressure jobs or volunteer positions may be ideal if your health is not. Con: Your body won’t cooperate — If you have chronic health conditions, frequent pain or repetitive injuries, giving yourself fewer responsibilities and more rest may benefit you more than working. Think about your overall well-being when deciding whether working feels right for you now. It’s okay to change your mind later. Finally, call us with any insurance questions. Don’t waste time digging for answers online — you have better things to do.

With open enrollment upon us, it’s important to understand how your health insurance might change. Two recent sets of federal laws—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule—could affect your costs and coverage. If you get your policy through the federal health insurance marketplace or your state’s equivalent, here's what you need to know. Lower premium tax credits: Unless Congress acts, enhanced premium tax credits enacted during the pandemic will expire December 31, 2025. If your income is above 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) by even a dollar, you won’t get premium tax credits. For everyone else, credits will be lower and costs will be higher. For instance, someone at 300% FPL will pay up to 9.83% of their income for premiums—up from 6%. More HSA eligible plans: You’ll soon be able to contribute to a health savings account (HSA) with any bronze or catastrophic plan (not just plans the IRS classifies as high deductible). HSA contributions reduce your taxable income, which could help you qualify for premium subsidies. Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. You can even save and invest your HSA money to help it grow tax deferred. Other changes: Advance premium tax credit repayment risk: If you underestimate your income and get too much in subsidies, you’ll have to repay the excess in full (repayment is no longer capped). Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) eligibility revoked: As of August, DACA recipients are no longer eligible for marketplace coverage. Need help reviewing your coverage? Give us a call. We’ll help you understand your options and avoid surprises this open enrollment season. Feel free to forward this email to someone it might help.

If you bought term life insurance coverage years ago, it may no longer be the right fit. And that’s okay—people’s needs and lives change, and you made the best decision at the time. Do you wish you had permanent coverage instead, but dread the thought of shopping for a new policy? Good news: Some term policies can be converted, giving you long-term protection without starting from scratch. How does policy conversion work? Conversion lets you turn all or part of a term life insurance policy into a permanent one with the same company. Making this change doesn’t require applying for new coverage or taking a medical exam. If your policy includes this option, it will usually have a deadline to convert based on your age or how long it’s been since your policy started. Is your current policy convertible? Not all term policies have a conversion option. If you’re buying a new policy, consider choosing one that does. Already have term coverage? Read your policy contract to see if conversion is possible. Contact your insurer or agent if you have questions. When does conversion make sense? Conversion might be a smart move if your financial needs have changed. Maybe you want coverage beyond your term policy’s expiration date, but your health has worsened. Conversion can secure lifelong protection for your loved ones based on your previous health rating. Are there alternatives to policy conversion? If you’re in good health, it might make sense to shop for a separate permanent policy instead of converting. You could also buy another term policy to extend your coverage, or renew your term policy when it expires. Everyone’s situation is different. Want to explore whether conversion—or another option—could work for you? Reach out anytime to talk it over.

Imagine getting a call in the middle of the night from someone claiming to be your grandchild, panicked and in trouble. They say they’ve been in an accident or arrested—and they desperately need money. Your heart races. You’d do anything to help. That’s exactly what scammers are counting on. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently issued a warning about a rise in what's known as the “grandparent scam” —a sneaky and heartless scheme targeting older adults with urgent, emotional phone calls meant to trick them into sending money. What Is the Grandparent Scam? These scams usually start with a phone call from someone pretending to be your grandchild (or another close relative). They’ll say they’re in trouble—maybe stuck in jail or in a hospital—and they need money fast for bail, legal fees, or emergency expenses. To make things even more convincing, they may hand the phone off to someone pretending to be a lawyer or a police officer. And they’ll likely ask you not to tell anyone—saying it’s a “private” or “sensitive” situation. That sense of urgency is key to the scam. It’s meant to bypass your instinct to double-check and make you act fast—before you have time to think it through or talk to someone else. Why It Works—and Why It’s Dangerous These calls often come late at night or early in the morning, when you’re more likely to be caught off guard. The scammer might not even say who they are—just “Grandma, it’s me”—and hope you fill in the blank for them. From there, they use that information to sound more convincing. Some victims have been asked to send money via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or even in cash via courier—all methods that are difficult or impossible to trace or reverse. According to the FCC, scammers using this method have stolen tens of millions of dollars from seniors across the U.S. Watch for These Warning Signs If you or someone you love receives a call like this, here are some red flags that it could be a scam: High pressure and urgency – You’re told to act immediately Vague or strange details – They may not identify themselves clearly, or hope you’ll say the grandchild’s name for them Unverifiable location or story – They say they’re in jail overseas or in a place where you can’t easily check on them Unusual payment requests – Gift cards, Bitcoin, wire transfers, or cash deliveries Calls at odd hours – Scammers try to catch you when you’re less alert What To Do If You Get a Suspicious Call If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut. Here’s what you can do to stay safe: ✅ Hang up and verify – Call your grandchild or their parent using a phone number you know is theirs ✅ Talk to someone you trust – A second opinion from a friend or family member can make all the difference ✅ Don’t rely on caller ID – Scammers often “spoof” numbers to make it look like someone you know is calling ✅ Block the number – Use your phone’s settings to block suspicious calls ✅ Report the scam – Contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 and file a complaint with the FCC What If You’ve Already Sent Money? First of all, don’t panic—and know that you’re not alone. Scammers are incredibly convincing, and even smart, cautious people have been tricked. Here’s what to do: Call your bank or payment service right away – They may be able to stop or reverse the transaction if it's recent Report it – Contact the FCC, your local police, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov Let your family know – They can help protect you and others from future attempts Help Protect Others, Too The more people know about this scam, the harder it becomes for criminals to succeed. Please share this information with friends, neighbors, and especially your older loved ones. A quick conversation now could prevent a heartache later. And remember—if you ever get a call like this and aren’t sure what to do, don’t rush. Take a breath, hang up, and check in with someone you trust. Real family emergencies don’t come with secret demands or payments via gift cards.