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Open Enrollment Season is Around the Corner

Reviewing your benefit choices to maximize what your employer offers

Open enrollment for employee benefits kicks off on November 1st. Before you plan your Thanksgiving menu, you should make the time to review your benefit choices. Employee benefit experts expect benefits to change next year like few years before – given the rising costs of health care and the impact of COVID-19 on businesses this year. Even if little changed in your life in 2020 – and that’s probably unlikely – you should aim to maximize what your employer offers. Here are a few pointers.

Medical

Even if you carry the same plan as in many past years, spend a few minutes evaluating which one is best for you and your family when you choose – especially High-Deductible Health Plans and traditional plans.

Switching from the traditional plan to a high- deductible option might save money if you don’t visit the doctor much. Perhaps too your spouse’s company now offers a better plan and you can switch the family coverage to the better alternative. Improved employer plan descriptions lay out plans’ differences and costs and do that much better this year. Take advantage of their free help, online or in person.

Dental

Often you receive only one choice for dental coverage, but you might be surprised at how many people decline to pay the relatively small premium for this coverage. Even if young and cavity-free, you take care of your teeth now to potentially prevent large dental bills in retirement.

If nothing else, dental insurance provides a teeth- cleaning twice a year.

Vision

This benefit works great if you wear glasses or contacts and need regular eye exams. Those with perfect vision may opt out of this coverage.
Life Insurance Most employers offer some basic life insurance, the coverage usually a multiple of your salary. If you are married, own a home or have kids, this basic coverage usually falls short. Consider paying extra if possible, to increase life coverage through your employer. If that’s not an
option, consider supplementing this minimal coverage with a term policy from an independent provider. These policies come with set duration limits on coverage and you decide whether to renew once the policy expires.

Remember that whatever life coverage your employer pays for vanishes if you leave that company.

Life insurance plan on computer laptop screen

Long-Term Disability

Standard coverage in this category usually pays 60% to 66% of your compensation if you become disabled and unable to work. As this coverage often comes with a cap, if you are highly compensated, this insurance might also fall short to sustain your standard of living. Estimate your
minimum to live on if you become unable to work and, if that number scares you, consider purchasing a supplemental policy.

Long-Term Care Insurance

This pays for assisted living, a nursing home or in- home care late in your life. Even as our lifespans increase, long-term care premiums escalate. If your employer offers any coverage at a relatively inexpensive group rate, consider locking in some protection. Financial advisors normally recommend LTCI when you turn age 50 – getting it while you are young and healthy under an employer plan may still make sense.

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Flexible Spending Account

This savings account reduces your taxable income and funds medical co-pays, orthodontist appointments and prescription drug orders, among other expenses. Figure your out-of-pocket medical costs and sign up to set aside that amount, up to $3,550, pre-tax in an FSA and $7,100 for families. Remember that if you participate in an HDHP, you maintain a related health savings account and can only take advantage of a
limited FSA. Either way, pay for the most of out-of-pocket medical costs with pre-tax dollars.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

If you pay for day care, after-school programs or summer day camps for children under age 13 or for elder care for a dependent parent, DCAs help you offset that cost with pre-tax dollars. Again, a working couple can set aside up to $5,000 from paychecks.

Life Planning Resources

This wide-ranging employee benefit is being offered more and more, from simple mental-health hotlines to complete menus of services. For instance, if you lack a will, many companies now offer reduced-rate or even complimentary legal services to establish your basic estate planning
documents. Others offer financial planning and weight-loss programs – sometimes even gym memberships.

Your Financial Advisor

Finally, while your employer will offer resources to help you navigate the menu of employee benefits, your financial advisor is well versed in ensuring your benefits are consistent with your overall financial plan and is a great resource too.

Copyright © 2020 AIQ. All rights reserved.
Distributed by Financial Media Exchange.

The opinions expressed herein are those of Ballast Advisors, LLC and are subject to change without notice. The third-party material presented is derived from sources Ballast Advisors consider to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Ballast Advisors, LLC is a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about the firm, including its services, strategies, and fees can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available without charge upon request.

Why You Need Life Insurance

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, a good time to evaluate your life insurance needs and review your life insurance coverage.

We’ve all heard about the importance of having life insurance, but is it really necessary? Often, the answer is “yes,” but it depends on your specific situation.

In general, you should consider life insurance protection if any of the following applies to you:

  • You are married and your spouse depends on your income
  • You have children
  • You have an aging parent or disabled relative who depends on you for support
  • Your retirement savings and income won’t be enough for your spouse to live on
  • Your estate may be subject to federal or state estate taxes
  • You own a business, especially if you have a partner
  • You have a substantial financial obligation such as a personal loan for which another person would be legally responsible after your death

 

Life insurance plan on computer laptop screen

In these cases, the proceeds from a life insurance policy can help the people you leave behind after your death.

If you’re still unsure about whether you should buy life insurance, ask yourself: If I died today with no life insurance, would my family need to make substantial financial sacrifices and give up the lifestyle to which they’ve become accustomed in order to meet their financial obligations (e.g., loans, mortgages, college tuition, etc.)

If you decide you need life insurance, don’t delay buying it. Although no one wants to think about and plan for death, you don’t want to make the mistake of waiting until it’s too late.

There are expenses associated with life insurance. Generally, life insurance policies have contract limitations, fees, and charges, which can include mortality and expense charges, account fees, underlying investment management fees, administrative fees, and charges for optional benefits. Most policies have surrender charges that are assessed during the early years of the contract if the contract owner surrenders the policy. Any guarantees are contingent on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing company. Life insurance is not guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. If you are considering the purchase of life insurance, consult a professional to explore your options.

Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2019

 

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Ballast Advisors, LLC is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, legal, or retirement advice or recommendations. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances.To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable — we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Ballast Blog: Housing Options for Older Individuals

Housing Options for Older Individuals 

As you grow older, your housing needs may change. Maybe you’ll get tired of doing yard work. You might want to retire in sunny Florida or live close to your grandchildren in Illinois. Perhaps you’ll need to live in a nursing home or an assisted-living facility. Or, after considering your options, you may even decide to stay where you are. When the time comes to evaluate your housing situation, you’ll have numerous options available to you.

 

There’s no place like home

Are you able to take care of your home by yourself? If your answer is no, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to move. Maybe a family member can help you with chores and shopping. Or perhaps you can hire someone to clean your house, mow your lawn, and help you with personal care. You may want to stay in your home because you have memories of raising your family there. On the other hand, change may be just what you need to get a new perspective on life. To evaluate whether you can continue living in your home or if it’s time for you to move, consider the following questions:

  • How willing are you to let someone else help you?
  • Can you afford to hire help, or will you need to rely on friends, relatives, or volunteers?
  • How far do you live from family and/or friends?
  • How close do you live to public transportation?
  • How easily can you renovate your home to address your physical needs?
  • How easily do you adjust to change?
  • How easily do you make friends?
  • How does your family feel about you moving or about you staying in your own home?
  • How does your spouse feel about moving?

Hey kids, Mom and Dad are moving in!

If you are moving in with your child, will you have adequate privacy? Will you be able to move around in your child’s home easily? If not, you might ask him or her to install devices that will make your life easier, such as tub or shower grab bars and easy-to-open handles on doors.

You’ll also want to consider the emotional consequences of moving in with your child. If you move closer to your child, will you expect him or her to take you shopping or to include you in every social event? Will you feel in the way? Will your child expect you to help with cooking, cleaning, and baby-sitting? Or, will he or she expect you to do little or nothing? How will other members of the family feel? Get these questions out in the open before you consider moving in.

Talk about important financial issues with your child before you agree to move in. This may help avoid conflicts or hurt feelings later. Here are some suggestions to get the conversation flowing:

  • Will he or she expect you to contribute money toward household expenses?
  • Will you feel guilty if you don’t contribute money toward household expenses?
  • Will you feel the need to critique his or her spending habits, or are you afraid that he or she will critique yours?
  • Can your child afford to remodel his or her home to fit your needs?
  • Do you have enough money to support yourself during retirement?
  • How do you feel about your child supporting you financially?

Assisted-living options

Assisted-living facilities typically offer rental rooms or apartments, housekeeping services, meals, social activities, and transportation. The primary focus of an assisted-living facility is social, not medical, but some facilities do provide limited medical care. Assisted-living facilities can be state-licensed or unlicensed, and they primarily serve senior citizens who need more help than those who live in independent living communities.

Before entering an assisted-living facility, you should carefully read the contract and tour the facility. Some facilities are large, caring for over a thousand people. Others are small, caring for fewer than five people. Consider whether the facility meets your needs:

  • Do you have enough privacy?
  • How much personal care is provided?
  • What happens if you get sick?
  • Can you be asked to leave the facility if your physical or mental health deteriorates?
  • Is the facility licensed or unlicensed?
  • Who is in charge of health and safety?

Reading the fine print on the contract may save you a lot of time and money later if any conflict over services or care arises. If you find the terms of the contract confusing, ask a family member for help or consult an attorney. Check the financial strength of the company, especially if you’re making a long-term commitment.

As for the cost, a wide range of care is available at a wide range of prices. For example, continuing care retirement communities are significantly more expensive than other assisted-living options and usually require an entrance fee above $50,000, in addition to a monthly rental fee. Keep in mind that Medicare probably will not cover your expenses at these facilities, unless those expenses are health-care related and the facility is licensed to provide medical care.

Nursing homes

Nursing homes are licensed facilities that offer 24-hour access to medical care. They provide care at three levels: skilled nursing care, intermediate care, and custodial care. Individuals in nursing homes generally cannot live by themselves or without a great deal of assistance.

It is important to note that privacy in a nursing home may be very limited. Although private rooms may be available, rooms more commonly are shared. Depending on the facility selected, a nursing home may be similar to a hospital environment or may have a more residential feel. Some on-site services may include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Orthopedic rehabilitation
  • Speech therapy
  • Dialysis treatment
  • Respiratory therapy

When you choose a nursing home, pay close attention to the quality of the facility. Visit several facilities in your area, and talk to your family about your needs and wishes regarding nursing home care. In addition, remember that most people don’t remain in a nursing home indefinitely. If your physical or mental condition improves, you may be able to return home or move to a different type of facility. Contact your state department of elder services for guidelines on how to evaluate nursing homes.

Nursing homes are expensive. If you need nursing home care in the future, do you know how you will pay for it? Will you use private savings, or will you rely on Medicaid to pay for your care? If you have time to plan, consider purchasing long-term care insurance to pay for your nursing home care.

If you’re interested in receiving additional financial advice for your retirement or an analysis of your insurance protection, contact Ballast Advisors for a complimentary consultation at a location near you:

Ballast Advisors – Woodbury Area
683 Bielenberg Dr., Suite 208
Woodbury, MN  55125-1705
Tel: 651.478.4644
Ballast Advisors – Arden Hills Area
3820 Cleveland Ave. N, Ste. 500
Arden Hills, MN  55112-3298
Tel: 651.200.3100
Ballast Advisors – Punta Gorda & Port Charlotte County Area
6210 Scott St., Suite 117
Punta Gorda, FL  33950-3901
Tel: 941.621.4015 
Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2018.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, legal, or retirement advice or recommendations. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances.