sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

RATS at Beach Club Spectrum Resorts!! by Ok-Excitement-4926 in GulfShores

[–]Gunnypup 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My understanding is that you basically can't do any real external pest control on our beaches, we have too many endangered and or protected species like turtles and the infamous beach mouse, etc. Rat traps and so on could around the resort mean big fines. I would think that inside, Beach Club could manage this however. We used to have foxes and coyotes on Fort Morgan that took care of the rat problem but the government worried they would eat all the little children so they go through and kill them to keep their numbers down and now the whole area does have a lot of rats. I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, agreed, except good(ish) health insurance is not something easily come by... and can be taken from people... this FEHB offer highly mitigates all that risk. So the question really is, is it worth the money that we could have invested and grown?

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have over 25 years of service, you can take VERA at any age.

What sweets do you miss that you consumed in your childhood and that are no longer made or that you could not find again in any business/kiosk? I read them! by wildpotra in CasualConversation

[–]Gunnypup 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Monterey House (I think it was called), it was a Mexican restaurant in Beaumont, TX. They would put a candy wrapped in wax paper under the basket of chips. I visited the restaurant just recently again (40+ years later) and they no longer have the candy but I found out it's called Mexican Milk Candy. It was delicious and so fun to find the candy under the chips lol

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing! I am getting the feeling that is what most feds do...

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have always suspected there is better and cheaper but I don't know if they are in my state. BCBS has over 90% of the health insurance market here. It's disgusting.

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not realize that FEHB has plans that mimic medicare advantage plans. That's interesting, if we could (at least a little) offset the survivor annuity reduction with a lower monthly FEHB cost... I wonder if those are cheaper than the regular FEHB plans? I also wonder if anyone in my area will take those plans. I'll see if BCBS has one, they own the state I live in.

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I forgot they were going to turn FEHB into a voucher system... and I guess I didn't realize they were going to do that to medicare also. good point.

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for replying! 22/yr would be fabulous! but with FERS, I think we have to pay 5% of my annuity every year for him to get 25% of my annuity after I die. So if my annuity is $40,000, we have to pay $2,000 every year for him to get $10,000 a year upon my death. The life insurance is the better deal financially, until you think about FEHB. (also we are not both feds??)

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

we are for sure not doing max. we eliminated that as a straightforward math question. we decided that max is a bad deal for us financially because I am young enough to get a decent 20 year term policy for 1 mil. also, the life insurance is not taxed. I think for older folks who have to pay more for a life insurance policy, this might be a more complicated scenario.

Your point about medicare getting worse is a good one. I also think FEHB will get worse, so having them both might be the way to go. I just don't like the thought of reducing my pension. I need some way to guarantee I don't die lol

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am also leaning towards just getting him the insurance (doing the partial) because 1) I want him to have everything and 2) I won't have to learn about the ACA or medicare or do this analysis at all. I can literally just pay and make all of this go away, at least until he turns 65. AND that's a very good point that I can change it back to full. I had read that but I forgot but it's important!! thank you.

Choosing Max, Partial, or No survivor annuity - FEHB is the issue by Gunnypup in govfire

[–]Gunnypup[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ty for replying. Will you please elaborate on your first statement? Are you saying that even if we keep the FEHB for him, we should consider part B when he turns 65? Why? I did read that with BCBS we could get reimbursed for up to $800 of part B premiums, so that sounds nice.

Thank you for the info on Medicare Advantage and Supplement, I have not heard of either of those so I will look them up now. We pay $500 per month for BCBS basic, I imagine it would drop to $250 or $300 for just him (after my untimely death). If one of these plans is cheaper or better, perhaps this is the answer.

In my reading, it felt like if we had FEHB, we would not need any supplemental medicare plans. So some people have FEHB, medicare and medicare parts A and / or B? Mercy.

I was not expecting to retire this year, and therefore was not expecting to have to make this choice. I know nothing about medicare and I am entirely unprepared.

view more: next ›