Once you have a Medicare supplement customer, they will typically stay with you for long periods of time, provided you offer them the best of customer service, answer their questions to the best of your ability, help them with claims and make suggestions that would help them save money. Medicare supplement leads are the road to success for an insurance agency because everyone either needs it soon or they need it now. The ball is in your court to make the most of the market.
The post Medicare supplement leads are the wave of now first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Once you have a Medicare supplement customer, they will typically stay with you for long periods of time, provided you offer them the best of customer service, answer their questions to the best of your ability, help them with claims and make suggestions that would help them save money. Medicare supplement leads are the road to success for an insurance agency because everyone either needs it soon or they need it now. The ball is in your court to make the most of the market.
Benepath is the leading provider of exclusive group health insurance leads. To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.net or call 1-866-368-0377
The post Medicare supplement leads are the wave of now first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Elder justice was in the spotlight at the conference, which took place nearly a month after World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. Aging opens adults up to a number of vulnerabilities, such as physical and psychological abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
According to the White House, a 2010 study revealed that one in 10 older Americans experienced abuse in the previous year. While programs and services such as the National Center for Elder Abuse are available for elderly adults seeking help, policymakers play a key role in raising awareness about elder abuse and working towards prevention.
The conference has taken place each decade since the 1960s to discuss how to improve the quality of life for older Americans. Some of the topics that will be addressed include retirement and financial security, healthy aging, long-term support and elder justice.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Medicaid, Medicare and the Older Americans Act. Such governmental programs contribute to providing Americans with peace of mind as they age. Older Americans also need access to a well-placed caregiving network, adequate housing and financial security to maintain healthy, independent lifestyles in their old age.
The Obama Administration has participated in listening sessions since July 2014 to learn from aging leaders and older Americans about the key issues that need to be addressed at the conference.
Pioneers of Elder Law – For over 30 years, Gilfix & La Poll Associates LLP has innovated creative legal solutions to help you manage and plan the future of your estate.
To contact an estate planning lawyer visit http://www.gilfix.com/ or call 800.244.9424.
The post Seniors Affected By Housing Debt first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Housing debt is affecting the retirement plans of a growing number of seniors. Paying off a home mortgage prior to retirement has traditionally been a key part of many people’s plan for their golden years, but today many seniors find themselves still in debt in their sixties and seventies.
According to the Office for Older Americans, part of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in…
by Thomas D. Begley, Jr., CELA
As the population of the United States tend to age and Baby Boomers begin retiring in large numbers, there are a number of problems that will affect the elderly that need to be addressed.
- Retirement Income. In 2012, people age 65 and older had an average income of $31,742, but the median income was less than $19, 604. About 30% of older Americans receive pensions. The median was $12,000. Only 46.5% of older Americans reported income from personal savings, but half receive $255 or less per year. The mean was $3,233 per year. Only 20% of older Americans had dividend income with the median amount being $1,200.[1] Social Security is the only source of income for 25% of older adults in New Jersey.[2] It is generally estimated that for a comfortable retirement a person must have an income equal to 70% of salary in the year just before retirement. Most experts advise saving 10% per year of one’s annual income beginning at age 25. Social Security plays a vital role in reducing poverty. Almost 90% of people age 65 or older receive some of their family income from Social Security. The Social Security Retirement System is expected to be able to pay full benefits through 2033. Thereafter, only 75% of benefits will be funded. The Disability Insurance Trust Fund paying disability benefits to disabled workers is expected to be solvent through only 2016, at which point only 81% of benefits can be funded. This problem has been discussed nationally for over 20 years, and Congress has always managed to dodge the hard decisions. The replacement of pensions with 401k plans has been disastrous for low-income workers. Workers in the top fifth in income account for 72% of total savings in retirement accounts.
- Health Care. Health care spending has increased significantly. While this spending has declined over the last three years, the Brookings Institute believes that health care will continue to grow 1.2% faster than GDP over the next 20 years and will consume close to 25% of GDP. Health care costs will continue to grow at GDP plus 1.2% for the foreseeable future.[3] A couple, both age 65 in 2012, living an average life expectancy, could need as much as $220,000 to cover premiums for health insurance coverage and out-of-pocket expenses during retirement. It is estimated that these households should expect medical bills to consume 61% of their Social Security payments by 2027.[4]
Medicare. Medicare covers only about one-half of retiree health expenses. Medicare has three components: Hospital Insurance (HI) or Medicare Part A; Supplemental Medical Insurance (SMI) consisting of Medicare Part B and Part D. The SMI program is not threatened with insolvency, because premiums are reset on an annual basis based on actual expenditures. The Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Fund estimate that the HI Program can remain solvent until 2030. Again, this is a problem that has been discussed nationally for over 20 years and Congress has refused to m
[1] Sources of Income for Older Americans 2012, Ke Bin Wu, AARP Public Policy Institute, www.aarp.org.
[2] The Elder Economic Security Standard Index for New Jersey.
[3] Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, www.brookings.edu.
[4] Fidelity Estimates Couples Retiring in 2013 Will Need $220,000 to Pay Medical Expenses Throughout Retirement, www.fidelity.com.
The post SPECIAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE ELDERLY – PART 1 first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
Seniors are starting to catch up with younger Americans in their use of communication technology and social media. Older Americans now belong to the fastest-growing group of social media adopters, though they still use the internet and social media less often than people in younger age groups who adopted social media earlier do.
A study from the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project found that 59 percent of Americans age 65 or older are internet users, an increase of six percentage points in one year. Also, 77 percent of seniors report owning a cellphone (an increase from 69 percent in 2012).
Despite the growing adoption rates of communication technology among the elderly, a large number of older Americans still remain remain relatively unconnected to online life when compared to the population as a whole. Among all adults, 86 percent are internet users and 91 percent have cellphones.
Social media displays this gap clearly. Forty-six percent of online seniors, or 27 percent of the total population of older Americans, use social networking sites such as Facebook — compared to 73 percent of adult internet users or 63 percent of all adults.
Learn more at http://www.elderlawnewyork.com/elder-law/
The post Seniors Are Now the Fastest-Growing Social Media Adopters first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Older Americans need the supplements to close any gaps that may exist in their health care coverage, and if you are Johnny-on-the-spot with the right information and have a personable manner while explaining the information, chances are your prospective customers turn into buyers.
Medicare supplement leads are, hands down, one of the best ways to build your business, particularly if you are also selling other types of policies, as many agencies do. By and large though, these leads have the best potential to provide you will a growing foundation for your business.
Benepath is the leading provider of exclusive medicare leads. To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.net or call 1-866-368-0377
The post Medicare supplement leads have a way of paying off fast first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>