November 29, 2011 in Business, Business News by jferris

Last Months of 2011 a Last Chance to Review Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Contributions Reports Next Exit Retirement CEO

With only a few months left in 2011, it is time to look at IRA contributions.

“This is one of the best times to start looking at your 2011 IRA contributions and one of the smartest things you can do is add mutual funds to the account,” said Evan Tunis, president and CEO of Next Exit Retirement. “If you don’t know what type of funds will work to your advantage, then just call me, and we can discuss what would work the best.”

The beauty of IRAs is that they have many advantages that will make a smart investor quite pleased with the prospects for their future. The IRA can help manage retirement plans with flexibility and allows funds to be used in the IRA to be invested in non-traditional investments. “And that means, you could choose to invest in businesses, tax liens, real estate or even loans,” added Tunis.

The bottom line is that IRAs are very good alternatives for those who wish to diversify their investment portfolio, and all of the investments can be done within the same account envelope or structure. “That means it is a very handy tool for investors wanting to look to their future retirement and who want to grow their wealth to be ready to retire,” Tunis remarked.

“LLCs are often used in situations like this,” indicated Tunis, “as LLC programs let people secure their investments. That means that IRAs, which are time sensitive, tend to be good choices for those wanting a safer investment option with total control over the investments and the retirement funds.”

IRAs are a great way to save for the future. “If this appeals to you, call me and we can review your options. The advice is free and the expertise and customer service you get is superior. This is my job and I work to ensure your money works for your retirement,” Tunis stated.

November 22, 2011 in Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Long Term Care Planning is Vitally Important For Women

Mention long-term care, and most people think of older men. Yet more than 70 percent of nursing home check-ins are women.

Long-term care is an issue for all Americans, no matter their age. The earlier you buy the coverage, the better off you will be later. Additionally, the earlier and younger you are when coverage is bought, the less the premiums are. For example, if you start paying on a long-term care policy in your early 40s, you would pay around $5,000 a year. If you wait another 10 years or so, you would be paying at least $7,500 or more annually.

Still not comfortable with the idea of preparing for the future? Did you realize that the kind of care you may need when you are older is usually not covered by a traditional health insurance policy and it is not covered by Medicare, no matter what you might think? Medicaid only offers limited, if any, coverage for long-term care, but that is only after you have spent all your own money.

If you are a female, you need to know how to plan and act on your long-term care needs. With nursing home costs running about $70,000 to $80,000 a year, any savings you may have can rapidly vanish. Act now and take your long-term care into your own hands.

Wondering what is covered by a long-term care policy? A policy like this can address a variety of services that may include, but are not limited to, adult day-care, nursing home care and in-home health care. What you get is dependent on the amount of coverage you want and can pay for. Some policies include an inflation adjustment. Be prepared to pay more for this option. You can opt to go for a lifetime policy, but the more common ones are two, three, and five years. The final cost will depend on the level of benefits you want, health factors and your age.

If you are looking to lower the costs of your premium, then speak to an insurance specialist about the elimination period before your coverage starts. This can range from no days and coverage that starts right away, or you can opt for 180 days and pay your own costs. In other words, the longer the elimination period, the less expensive the policy will be.

Take the time to speak to an experienced insurance specialist about long-term care policies for women. It will be well worth your long-term peace of mind.

Evan Tunis is with Next Exit Retirement. To learn more about Boca Raton long-term care insurance or West Palm Beach long-term care insurance, visit http://www.nextexitretirement.com.

November 17, 2011 in Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Newer Products Take Diverse Approach to Long Term Care Insurance

With newer long-term care products on the market, now may be the time to start shopping for the future.
It does not matter what age you are, long-term care is something you need to think about. Just try not to leave it until the very last minute, when the expense will be much higher. The most critical thing to remember is that much of what you may need for long-term care is not covered by Medicare, which is a major mistake many older Americans make in thinking that it does cover them. Get busy sourcing some of the newer products on the market, as they are more cost effective.
Long-term care costs may run up to at least $80,000 a year, which is a significant chunk of money to find, even if you had funds stashed away. It could wipe out your savings in no time flat. However, with the latest line of combination insurance and long-term care products (dubbed hybrid life insurance), you might like the idea of investing a lump sum and choosing your long-term care coverage and death benefit.
The combo plans are not easily compared to individual, sole focus long-term care policies largely because the combination product is usually a lump sum investment. This approach to being covered for long-term care, if it is needed, is quite popular and sales of the combination products shot up to 62 percent in 2010. To put that into dollar terms, that would represent $1.2 billion according to the Life Insurance and Market Research Association.
Put another way, the new combination products symbolize about 6 percent of the individual life insurance market premium, and that even though older Americans (in their 60s) represented a large portion of this market, younger people were also interested. And why wouldn’t they be interested when they discover there are some very significant tax benefits to the payout of annuity values (and that includes contract gains), provided tax free under the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
How do you know which product to select? In the case of a long-term care policy on cash value life insurance, you would be able to control the specific term. Anything unused would pass to your named beneficiary, unlike regular stand-alone long-term care policies in which anything not used is not returned.
If you are interested in taking advantage of a tax deferred annuity, you might like the idea of investing a lump sum with a life insurance company, with part of the cash value being earmarked for long-term care benefits. Again, these are issues that are important to some and not to others. This is why it is best to discuss these issues with an experienced insurance agent.
You may decide the long-term care benefits are not as all-inclusive as those offered by a stand-alone policy. Or, for those with pre-existing conditions who cannot qualify for long-term care insurance, underwriting issues for the hybrid policies are not as rigorous. Additionally, you need to be aware that if you withdraw from a hybrid early, the annuities may be penalized twice – once by the IRS for taking funds out before you are 59 ½ years old and a surrender charge for early withdrawal (usually within the first seven years of the life of the product).

These products are complex, but for those who choose to plan ahead of time, it is well worth their while. It is time to call an insurance specialist and find out how these policies work.

Evan Tunis is with Next Exit Retirement. To learn more about Boca Raton long-term care insurance or West Palm Beach long-term care insurance, visit http://www.nextexitretirement.com.

October 25, 2011 in Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Planning Ahead for Long-Term Care is a Smart Lifestyle Choice Says Next Exit Retirement CEO

Many people do not put much time into planning for their future care. Without long-term care in place later in life things may be very difficult.

“Long-term care is an issue many Americans want to shove under the rug,” explained Evan Tunis, president and CEO of Nextexitretirement.com. “It is one of those things no one really wants to confront when they are younger and in relative good health. The thing is, with each passing year the reality is you may need long-term care, and if you have no provisions in place to pay for that, the alternatives are not very appealing.”

Even though life expectancies have increased, the result causes a gap in the number of people needing long-term care and the resources being offered by the system. It is a large gap and many fall through the cracks. The brutal fact is that many Americans may reach old age and have no resources to pay for long-term care and the alternatives may be government funded homes or private assisted living situations.

“If you have read the news lately, you will know there are many horror stories about nursing homes, assisted living centers and government run senior’s facilities,” said Tunis. “Bad things do not happen to everyone, but most seniors want to hold onto their independence for as long as they can. Without long-term care in place, that is not always possible.”
For those that do not seriously think there is a burgeoning aging and care crisis, consider these numbers. There are approximately nine million Americans over the age of 65 years old that need long-term care services of some kind. This number will increase as more people reach the age of 65. Long-term care services are in heavy demand and to meet that demand not only does there need to be increased facilities, but the cost of care will skyrocket. “In 2010 alone, long-term care costs were on average about $75,000 a year, and this is not just for those over the age of 65,” added Tunis. “It could happen to anyone, at any age, and that is something to seriously think about.”

When does someone know if they need long-term care? “This typically happens when a person acquires an illness, whether it is a cognitive illness or disability that keeps them from being able to carry out the basic necessities of daily living,” Tunis explained. “The cost of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia is catastrophically high. If you plan now for the future, you will have everything secured and not worry about how to pay the medical bills.”
“It is my job to be here for you and answer any questions you may have about long-term care policies and how to shop for them and what they can do for you,” stated Tunis. “Do not hesitate to contact me. What people do not think about is that just because they have good health now, does not mean things cannot change. It is best to be prepared for just about any eventuality when it comes to your most precious asset – your health and independence.”

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida and Florida Keys health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit http://floridahealthcareinsurance.com/floridakeys -insurance.html

October 11, 2011 in Insurance, Insurance Articles, Life Insurance by jferris

Term Life Insurance Can Fit Your Budget and Provide Great Protection

Life insurance is a personal choice and one that is sometimes confusing. It doesn’t need to be overwhelming.

There are so many terms when it comes to understanding life insurance. People have a tendency to get lost and frustrated, and then give up. For instance, how is term insurance different than life insurance, or is it? Fair question, and the answer is simply this – term life insurance, also referred to as pure insurance without the investment part, is a policy that offers insurance coverage for a designated time period and pays out a fixed pre-determined amount to a beneficiary should the insured unexpectedly die during the life of the policy. In terms of policy duration, you could choose anywhere from 10 years to 30 or more years, if that suits your circumstances.

Really, the goal of any life insurance policy should be to offer a guarantee that if an untimely death takes place, those left behind get a sufficient amount of money. Life insurance products ought to have lower premium amounts as well, and that is doable by purchasing a term plan. The main benefit of term life when you compare it to other kinds of insurance is that it typically pays out a larger amount for a smaller premium, which many buyers find attractive. Keep in mind, though, that term insurance does not accrue any kind of investment funds.

Before making the final decision to buy term insurance, there are a few things you should think about. First and foremost, compare the quotes you get from every insurance company you talk to about coverage. This is easy to do online and often you can compare prices instantly. Having said that, do not buy a policy based on price alone; consider the whole policy and what it has to offer. The bottom line is that you need a policy that covers you, not just some cheap policy. This is where you get told to read the fine print.

When filling out the forms for a quote, tell the truth on your application. If you do not and the error, omission, or lie is caught later, your insurance company will not pay out on the policy. This can have serious consequences, so take the extra time to fill it out accurately.

Another reason for reading the fine print is that you need to know precisely what is being covered and what you are paying for in the long run. Do not be enticed by bells and whistles and other add-ons that do not have any purpose for you, as it will only increase the premium. On a similar note, the younger you are, the cheaper your quote for a term life insurance policy.

While this may sound like common sense, stay as healthy as possible. If you live a healthy life, your policy rates stay lower. Do not excessively drink or smoke, consume massive quantities of junk food, or be a couch potato. Lose weight if you need to shed some pounds and maintain a healthy weight for your age. This is good, sound advice, that unfortunately many people do not follow, and then wonder why their policy premiums are higher. When in doubt about how to shop for term insurance, make it a point to connect with an experienced life insurance agent. They always have the answers to your questions.

October 7, 2011 in Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Disability Insurance is Vitally Important

Someone who is 20-years-old has a 30 percent chance of being disabled before reaching retirement. Everyone at some point in their lives, typically when they are younger, thinks they are invincible. Since we are not invincible, when you start a career, you want to protect your assets. You might be thinking this is irrelevant and that you don’t need or can’t afford to pay for disability insurance.

But think about this – can you afford to not have disability insurance if you suddenly find that you cannot work and pay your bills? There are a number of different kinds of disability insurance – mortgage disability, credit disability and individual disability income. The ironic thing with insurance is that people go ahead and insure their lives, because they realize it is valuable to do so. However, those same people do not insure their livelihood. The bottom line is this – your ability to work and earn money to pay the bills is one of the least protected assets you have.

If you lost your job tomorrow because you had been in a car accident and rendered a quadriplegic, how would you make money? Any savings you had on hand would be wiped out fast, as we all know medical expenses these days are astronomical. Very soon, you would be strapped for cash and wondering how you would be able to live. If you have disability insurance, you have a plan in place for the unexpected moments that happen in life.

Disability insurance does not have to be expensive and you can ask an experienced insurance agent for assistance in choosing the right policy for you. That’s their job, and they can find you the best deal. Do not leave finding the right disability insurance policy to chance, as you may choose the wrong one and it won’t cover you for what you need.

Individual disability income typically replaces about 45 to 60 percent of your gross income tax free. Coverage is provided if you become disabled as a result of an illness or an accident. But the policy should offer more than that. For instance, make certain the policy covers you if you are not able to work in your current job, not just any occupation. You will also want to ask if the policy is guaranteed renewable so long as you keep paying the premiums.

Generally speaking, most policies like this are payable up to the age of 65, although there are some companies that may provide extended coverage up to the age of 70. Keep in mind that there is usually an elimination period – the length of time you must be disabled before the policy takes over. That could be anywhere from one to six months. By the way, the shorter the elimination timeframe, the more expensive your policy will be. You might want to take that into consideration when you are buying disability insurance. Additionally, what you do for work is related to the likelihood that you may be injured and not able to work in that particular job.

For expert help in choosing the right disability policy for your lifestyle, consult with a knowledgeable insurance agent who can point you in the right direction, and find precisely what you need to take care of the most important thing in your life, your ability to keep financially stable.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida and Florida Keys health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit http://floridahealthcareinsurance.com/floridakeys -insurance.html

February 1, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Have Fort Lauderdale Health Insurance Like House Insurance

Having Fort Lauderdale health insurance is crucial for those inevitable life events that need medical care.

There are a great number of Americans who wonder why they should bother to have health insurance, as they don’t think they will ever use it. In other words, why are they shelling out good money every month for something they aren’t using or benefitting from right away?

It’s like having house insurance. You don’t see a benefit from it right away, but if something happens, like a fire, then you know what the benefits are immediately when you file a claim. It’s the same thing with Fort Lauderdale health insurance; without it you could be financially wiped out with one accident or illness.

Fort Lauderdale health insurance just isn’t something that people purchase and then use right away. It can’t be consumed like a product you buy. Instead, consider it an investment; an investment in your long-term good health. If you need it, it will be there to cover you for medical expenses.

The other thing to remember is that by buying health insurance, you are protecting yourself against medical risks; just like buying house insurance to protect against the risk of fire, etc. If you don’t have insurance, the cost is devastating. With insurance, the costs are less and you could at least manage to handle some of the financial fallout.

Could you go through life not have anything happen to you medically? Sure you could, but that doesn’t happen often, as people do get older and their health changes. That’s life. For those who choose to not buy health insurance and instead save the money, remember this, the first time you need a doctor, you will be forking over every penny you had saved and then some to cover that one bill. Then where are you? Right; right back where you started from, no insurance and now, no money.

The last thing anyone needs is a major financial setback in this economy. Think ahead, plan for the future, get the right kind of health insurance to deal with any possible medical problems and know that should something go wrong, you’re covered and won’t be financially destitute.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida and Fort Lauderdale health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com/fortlauderdale -insurance.html.

January 31, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Floridahealthcare Insurance Says No One Can Foretell Health Insurance Needs

If there is one thing in life that people can count on, it is that life is not predictable. While it makes living exciting at times, it can be a problem health-wise if you do not have insurance.

“While a lot of people figure they will be just fine when it comes to not having Florida Keys health insurance, the truth is, no one really knows for sure what will happen in life. They may have an accident, break a leg, contract pneumonia or be diagnosed with asthma. Guessing how healthy you are going to be is a little like playing Russian roulette. You may not get the bullet and then again, you may, so why take chances with your health?” asked Evan Tunis, Evan Tunis of Florida Healthcare Insurance, Delray Beach, Florida.

If people are uncertain of what they need for health coverage, they will be heartened to know that there are a wide variety of options available to them on the market. If price is a concern, it is quite possible to find suitable Florida Keys health insurance at a reasonable price. “You need to know what you are looking for, what your budget is, what you need in terms of care and that includes pre-existing conditions and how often you usually see a doctor a year,” Tunis said.

For those looking for health insurance for their families, the best place to start looking is by making a list of what is needed. That may include the medical conditions of all family members, their drugs and how often they see a doctor. Everyone has different needs and the idea is to find something that covers as many of those needs as possible.

When looking online for various Florida Keys health insurance plans, find out precisely what kinds of plans are out there that would suit a family situation. There may be various routes to choose here as well. “For instance, if you are employed, you might get less expensive coverage through work. If not, you will want to speak directly to your local health insurance specialist for help. That’s my job, and I can assist you in finding what you need, quickly and for a reasonable price,” Tunis said.

It is always helpful to check into what the limitations are for each plan under consideration. Every plan has some restrictions, but they are not always the same, so it is wise to know what those are, particularly if there are family members with pre-existing conditions. To that end, also be on the lookout for plans to take care of prescriptions. “If you and/or anyone in the family are taking pills, this needs to be factored into the health insurance coverage equation as well,” Tunis said.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida and Florida Keys health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit http://floridahealthcareinsurance.com/floridakeys -insurance.html

January 31, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Individual Cape Coral Health Insurance Plans Do Not Need To Be Expensive

While people tend to think twice before buying health insurance because of the price, individual health plans do not need to be expensive.

It’s a fact that a large number of companies are no longer offering health coverage because it costs them too much money. This means there are a lot of people who need to find individual Cape Coral health insurance plans to suit their needs. While it takes a bit of time to find specifically what you want, there is something out there for you. If you are having problems finding something, then talk to the health insurance expert who can find you coverage quickly. After all, they know their business inside out.

One of the first things you need to consider before shopping for Cape Coral health insurance is your budget. Figure out what you can pay each month and still be comfortable and have any emergencies covered. Your premiums will not be what you paid at work, because that was group insurance and less expensive. Just let the insurance agent know your budget and they’ll find what you need, if you need help.

While it’s great to search online for Cape Coral health insurance, you really need to be dealing directly with a local independent insurance agent. They work with a large number of insurance carriers in your area and can help you with the application process and answer those “what if” questions we all tend to have about health insurance. The other primary reason for dealing locally is that you will get great service if you have a claim or billing question.

Before calling the local health insurance agent, have in mind where you want to go if you need a hospital stay – the community hospital or the nearest big hospital. Do you want to stay with a certain physician? Write this down and discuss it with the expert agent. Many insurance carriers have discounted networks and thus lower costs for your plan, but you will have a limited choice in medical providers.

Take into consideration what you might be paying out in an emergency situation. Find out which ERs are covered. Find out about Urgent Care as well, because using Urgent Care is often far less expensive than the ER. And don’t forget about prescriptions. Many policies will have a lower priced premium if you use generic drugs only. If you are self-employed though, hedge your bets and go with brand name coverage; it’s worth the few extra dollars, just in case.

No matter what you need for Cape Coral health insurance, it can be found. All you have to do is ask your local professional health insurance agent.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida and Cape Coral health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com/.

January 7, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

No One Knows the Future of Tallahassee Health Insurance Says Florida Healthcare Insurance of Delray Beach

Life is unpredictable. Without health insurance, it becomes even more of a moving target when medical expenses arise.

“It goes without saying that these days, people really do need health insurance, because you just don’t know what will happen today, tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. If you don’t have the proper health insurance coverage, you will be left holding an enormous medical bill if something bad happens and you likely won’t be able to pay it,” said Evan Tunis of Florida Healthcare Insurance, Delray Beach, Florida.

While many Americans struggle with the specter of compulsory health insurance in the years to come, they worry about how they will pay for it. They have enough on their plate right now, without trying to find the extra cash to pay for health insurance premiums. Their primary goal, in many cases, is to just get food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.

“But, therein lies a real dilemma,” Tunis said. “If one of the parents gets sick and needs medical care, their budget is completely blown and they may not be able to pay the bill. If they had Tallahassee health insurance, they would have likely be able to deal with the bill without going under financially.”

The best solution to the fear of being taken ill and being unable to deal with the expenses is to get health insurance. There are a number of factors to consider before anyone does ultimately choose what they think will work for them. For instance, anyone needing health insurance really needs to be aware of what coverage they really need. That may include coverage for unexpected medical issues because of an accident or coverage for an unexpected health condition that could happen to anyone, such as diabetes.

Shop around for various providers. Ask questions. Take notes. Compare policies. “Ask more questions and you will find something that fits your budget. Certainly, cost is a major consideration these days and you need to find something that you are able to manage,” Tunis said. “Those on a budget need to discuss this with the health insurance agent, so that they know what your parameters are when they look for policies for you.”

Something else that really does need to be taken into consideration is the customer service offered by the insurance company. “It’s interesting, because most people don’t even think about this, but you should, because if you have to make a claim, have a problem or a question, you will want help when you call. If you can’t get good service up front when you’re shopping for a policy, think twice about spending your money with that company,” Tunis said.

To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit Orlando Health Care.