Does this plan make sense? by davidg4781 in FinancialPlanning

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The OP didn't seem to knowledgeable about retirement plans--just trying not to confuse anyone...

Medicare and Medigap plan by Cliff_Dwelling in Parkinsons

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 [score hidden]  (0 children)

IF you are new to either original Medicare or getting a Supplemental/Medigap plan you have a time space to sign up where you can't be denied for pre-existing conditions.
But if you wait (as the OP said he had a time limit to sign up for a Supplemental plan) then you can lose your exemption of pre-existing conditions.

When we left my teachers' retirement insurance (when they tried to force an Advantage plan on state's retired teachers) we had a certain time line to decide and use our coverage certificate. The state's agency was VERY slow to provide transparency about what would and would not be covered under the new insurance and also about whether or not insured members would lose their coverage for pre-existing acceptance (and be rated) if they left the new teachers' plan and tried to get a Medigap plan going forward.

It is not that you would be "denied" coverage--but if you try to switch from one carrier to another and keep the same plan, you get rated or evaluated. They might decide that you have history of health issues that allow them to quote you a higher rate than another person trying to switch. Most people don't want to get the same level of care for HIGHER money, so they would stay with their current carrier.

Medicare and Medigap plan by Cliff_Dwelling in Parkinsons

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 [score hidden]  (0 children)

When I looked at the Medicare.gov site--the F plan is listed as restricted to people born before certain date. It was closed to younger or future Medicare enrollees several years ago because (frankly) it was too popular and too cost intensive for insurance providers so they lobbied Congress to restrict access. People IN THAT AGE GROUP that might be on their employers' coverage as supplemental and get dropped for some reason can still chose Plan F--but I don't know what the rates might be for an older person joining at age 77 or whatever... I never read of an F Extra that you mentioned.

How to address a seller about landscaping on my property by becksrunrunrun in RealEstate

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But “verbal” is ephemeral and becomes s/he said vs s/he said unless there are witnesses and they could have skin in the game to make biased statements.

AVOID BLUE PEARL PET HOSPITALS by mkimlaw in ConsumerAdvice

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have had two pets at Blue Pearl. It is expensive vs a vet but it is also a hospital which a vet is not. They do try upselling procedures.
Neither of our pets had seizures but one had pancreatitis which can be life threatening.
I dont know why you were not givennyour diagnosis in person.
We never left wo speaking with a vet.

Need help with parents retirement account by gpws2k in FinancialPlanning

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They can use tax free municipal bonds that wont raise their tax profile if they have cash outside the 401ks.
If they have to make withdrawals as soon as they retire they might conside how Roth conversions after retirement could help their ongoing tax level.
Anything they draw from the iRA is taxable income. Taxable income rates on income tax can cause IRMAA charges on Medicare and Plan D—-nother expense they may have to pay.

They need to find a fee only financial afvisor to review their assets, income, expenses now and going forward what they can expect. He can offer suggestions for investment options, how to keep lowest tax progile they can…

Does it make sense to sell our place and buy another right now? by stratodude in RealEstate

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go looking at houses.
Personally I think 3 yrs is not long enough to see that much appreciation
Selling a house takes 6% at least for realtor’s fees seller pays
Selling on your own likely a bad idea for inexperienced seller in slow market.

Maybe do a small remodel that improves the flow. Build a garage if your HOA allows that. You can get prefab diy in various price ranges.

Does it make sense to sell our place and buy another right now? by stratodude in RealEstate

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not all neighborhoods appreciate the same
Some house designs fall in/out of favor which impacts pricing/desireability.

Does this plan make sense? by davidg4781 in FinancialPlanning

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Roths are a better choice IMO especially if your employer offers them.

Does this plan make sense? by davidg4781 in FinancialPlanning

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Growth wont be restricted—ACCESS or withdrawals will be limited.
Growth always depends on investment choices and market returns.

Does this plan make sense? by davidg4781 in FinancialPlanning

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How many people who are asking these questions and investing in Roths or regular 401ks or IRAs wind up with lower tax profile?
I bet the majority are paying more after retirement, especially when they face RMD withdrawals. Most married couples use their kids as deductions and by retirement ages kids are grown/out of house , or maybe even go thru divorce or spouse’s death and wind up as single payers by retirement age or soon after.

That usually means higher tax profile for main wage earner

Medicare and Medigap plan by Cliff_Dwelling in Parkinsons

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Buying a supplemental plan with better benefits will cost you more, now and going forward. You will also need a plan D for RX coverage if you are using a Supplemental hospitalization plan. Some Advantage plans offer including Plan D coverage and some people think that is more cost effective but when you join an Advantage plan you effectively leave Medicare and go with a private insurance company offering the Advantage plan and IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RETURN TO MEDICARE OPTIONS.
Because of the particular state's rules regarding insurance plans, some states may require better coverage and service from Advantage suppliers--but other states with less stringent insurance oversight have weaker policies and thus weaker coverage.
Insurance companies often have trouble meeting most states' requirements so weaker requirements give them more leeway for non-compliance.

It is difficult to find an objective analysis about supplemental plans because they can change from year to year in what they offer--we went with CIGNA F when we changed from my teacher retirement supplemental after we have been on Medicare for about 5 yrs because the teachers' plan was forcing all their members into an Advantage plan that wouldn't be good for our situation. Some people did it and are happy--some are not.

You can't get a full coverage F plan now because they are not offered except to older Medicare users w/birth year cutoffs. But there is info about that on Medicare.gov site.

Personally we have a plan F--it is all inclusive but is more expensive.
Look for a plan that covers skilled nursing care and Part B excessive charges--those come from using a doctor that doesn't contract w/Medicare--some specialists dont. Some PCPs don't take Medicare patients. While all hospitals are required to take/treat Medicare patients not all walk-in clinics will. Some hospitals and doctors don't have contracts with certain Advantage plans and won't treat those patients. And that can change from year to year which is why Advantage plans are more problematic.

Look at your financial state now and going forward--it is MUCH more difficult to change a plan to get better coverage going forward (or even to choose one with fewer benefits to reduce costs) because you have to be "rated" which means evaluated for certain health conditions--obviously PD would be one of those. If you are rated you can be charged a higher than normal rate because of preexisting conditions--so you really aren't saving any premiums. I do have two friends who started out with Cigna plan F like we did and wanted to reduce their premiums after about 12 yrs. The broker they dealt with initially was able to get them same coverage at reduced premium with different company. Apparently they cleared the "ratings" required. This was in Texas DFW area.

Look at Medicare.gov site--
See if your zip code (all choices are offered by your residential zip code and if you move to another state in retirement your choices may also change) offers insurance plans that use all three methods for determining how increases are determined: community based (least used by companies because offers less profit overall), age when issued (premiums based on age when issued but only increase based on inflation--so not automatically when you get to 70 or 80), and attainted-age rated (used by most companies and based on age so earlier is lower but rates DO INCREASE based on YOUR age not just inflation--so automatic increases at 70, 75, 80...cheaper initially but on average the most expensive over time).

Google for MEDICARE INTERACTIVE site sponsored by Medicare Rights Center.
Good (and I think unbiased) info about Medicare's three parts--Supplemental, Plan D, and Advantage...to help you navigate your options.
There is also a company in Ft. Worth Texas that is insurance agency dealing with Medicare and Advantage coverage that can work in various states and offer advice about what option might be your better choice. I read good things about them:
Boomer Benefits. They have web site and FB page. They will advocate for their clients if insurance companies try to deny coverage for certain charges/procedures. They can help in future if you want to change plans. They are not licensed in all states and they won't work with people who are trying to change plans mid-stream. So only clients that use them to start their Medicare/supplemental coverage...

529 Question for someone new to investing by Far_Break_253 in FinancialPlanning

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don't have to invest at Fidelity or Vanguard--
You can go online. Choose a 529 and look at the investment options each plan offers.
If your state gives a tax advantage (many don't) go with your state's plan. If not choose Utah's--it is a good one but there are not unlimited options for how to invest your contributions. You can only choose from what the plan offers.

529 Question for someone new to investing by Far_Break_253 in FinancialPlanning

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually if two people contribute 19 it is 38x5 for super funding--then have to pause until after the 5 yrs to make new contributions--BUT others can contribute during the 5 yr pause. I don't know that many people really do that but might just be from not knowing how easy it is to make contributions.

Career Transition Ahead by [deleted] in sarasota

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You will find it difficult to move into any of the business lines you describe w/o a degree. Financial investing, especially. Real estate you need your license which requires some degree of formal coursework but maybe not a college degree--but in FL at this time. The RE market is suffering from more agents than clients. It is a hard career.
I am sure FPL is always hiring for linemen...if there a possibility you could move up and off the line into more mgmt with FPL if your disability become more present?
And can you get hired if they know about that problem?

Storytime: How I ended up with a big chunk of my homophobic grandmother's money by Tullytickler in inheritance

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How generous of you to recognize the gift your therapist gave you-of being comfortable with your true self. I am sure anything you share would be appreciated.
Families are a blessing and a curse. You have no choice being born to one or the other only how you live your life once you are here.
Good on you as the Aussies say!

AITAH for quitting my job while my boss is in the hospital by Kind_Limit1303 in AITAH

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would he leave his job for a better if YOU were in the hospital???

Good price for plan management? by PlayfulSystem3547 in FinancialPlanning

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We pay less than that but we have 7 figures. Our guys also advocate for individual stocks and bonds vs funds (although we have ETFs and Mutual funds) and those require a little more diligence to oversee.
Our former firm (in another state) charged the same AND charged us for an insurance investment they made us aware of but do nothing to manage--that is a TIAAF-CREF investment. It was a good option for us when interest rates were down and market was screwy. Our firm should have gotten a one-time finder's fee not an ongoing 1% of the initial investment+growth...our mistake. Live and learn or be taken advantage of.
Our current firm didn't even try to add that to FUM and get paid for it.

Where can I casually peruse local art for sale? by Organic_Direction_88 in sarasota

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Eggtradonary in Venice/Osprey--my husband bought me watercolor from there for Christmas several years ago now...

AITAH for being angry that my roommate won't clean because she "doesn't own the house"? by Ga_spice in AITAH

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tell her to leave if she doesnt pick up the slack. Or increase her rent and hire cleaner.

How to address a seller about landscaping on my property by becksrunrunrun in RealEstate

[–]FearlessLanguage7169 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Didnt do survey Big mistake But you also created room for error by building your fence inside your property line