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Greetings!
As we start a new year and it is our hope that you have good health, joy and success in what ever you wish to accomplish in 2008. We will be bring you over the year new information on insurance and matters that may affect you. February is associated with Valentine's Day and hearts are a major symbol. So what better month than to talk a little about how you can improve your heart health. Email or call me at anytime for any suggestions, comments or ideas you might have for the newsletter. Thank you in advance.
We have added several features in our website. Now you can find additional information on life, annuities, disability, senior supplements, long-term care, various buyer's guides, website links and general information you can use. Just click here website |
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Your heat and you.......
Time to take heart with your heart |
 Your heart is an amazing machine which is the strongest muscle in your body. When you reach the age of 70, your heart will have completed 2.5 million beat. So it is important to take care of this intricate piece of equipment. We all maintain our motor cars and so we must also learn that our heart needs some maintenance and check-ups. One thing we can all do to better understand just how prevalent heart-related illnesses. A few small changes in your life style can make a big difference in your heart. Risk factors are under two categories the nonmodifiable and the modifiable. We cannot do much about the nonmodifiable risks but we can do changes to the modifiable risks.
Nonmodifiable
- Age
- Gender
- Family History
- Race
Modifiable (Some ideas for each)
- Blood pressure - Reduce your salt content and stress.
- Cholesterol - Do I need thoughs fatty snacks?
- Weight - Don't be a couch potato, talk a walk and use the stairs.
- Physical activity - I am tired I will do my exercises tomorrow.
- Diet - Reduce your food intake by 20 to 40%,
- Smoking - You will be surprised how good things taste without a good coating of nicotene!
If we can change the modifiable risk factors, you have a better chance of lowering your risk for heart attacks and other vascular diseases. Call your doctor for a check-up, get your cholesterol checked and if you are a smoker ask your doctor what to do to quit. Increase your physical activity by taking a walk, loose weight and improve your diet. Please visit the Cleveland Clinic Website www.clevelandclinic.org/heart for more information.
The information for this article is adapted from the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute( and sources referenced therein. This information is for informational purpose only and should not be construed as medical advice. You should consult your physician for assessment and treatment of heart disease or stroke risk, and before undertaking any diet or exercise program. |
Protect your assets by protecting your income
Do you have enough income resources to cover an accident or illness? |
 If you were unfortunate to be involved in a serious accident or become critically ill, do you have the necessary resources to protect you and cover your income? You might think that Social Security and or disability benefits from your employer might be enough. Unfortunately they usually are not close to the amount you need. Remember, your income is paying for your lifestyle and without it that life style could change rapidly.
If you do not have a disability income policy, or would like more information feel free to contact me.
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Are you getting ready for retirements' journey?
Planning the journey |
 Have you ever planned a vacation and somehow you underestimated the distance and time to get there? You thought it was going to cost "x" dollars and cost you "XXX" dollars? Retirement has some of the same situations but is far more important than any vacation. Does one really know what it costs to live off retirement funds? Does one have enough funds to live without stress or loosing out on things you have always wanted to do?
Here are some costs for living 25 years on the retirement journey based on year 2008 estimates:
- $5.00/meal = $135,000.00
- Utilities $200.00/month = $ 60,000.00
- Property taxes say $2,000.00/year = $ 50,000.00
- Gasoline $3.08/gallon (750 gal/yr) = $ 57,750.00
- Homeowners Insurance $700.00 = $ 17,500.00
- Cable TV/Internet = $ 14,400.00
- Clothing/Household items = $ 15,000.00
25 year total = $ 349,650.00
Cost per year = $ 27,972.00
Obviously, these are just a few of those costs of living and this would not be able to do much. I did not include any leisure trips, gifts or any major repairs. The point is when we retire, the income dries up and we start living off our assets. The question is how to best capitalize and keep your funds at the best advantaged. Call me or email me at stewartsinsure@yahoo.com for a consultation.
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Are you winning with your employees?
The last century all you had to do was offer health insurance to keep employees. In the 21st century it is not just that but what are you willing to do to keep those valued employees? |
 The coming of the Baby Boomers into retirement age will mean the workforce will be shrinking. How does one keep qualified employees as well as hopefully keep those Boomers who may like their profession and are not really ready to retire. How about those Boomers who have been loyal for many years and maybe want to work four days a week instead of the five day schedule. Are there insurance plans and annuities which just might make the difference to them and keep your competition from stealing your valued employees? What can you do for them?
The answer may be far more simple than one can imagine. If you are a small company you may want to investigate using the IRS 125 cafeteria plan to open up your health insurance options to include an HSA (Health Savings Account) or HRA (Health Reimbursement Account) plan form or two, You might also want to take a look at offering return of premium universal life insurance and annuities that can become an added part of the employees retirement portfolio. This would be especially attractive to those employees who are reaching the 45 plus age category as well as all employees younger in age. Contact me
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Health Savings News
Tax Deductions and more |
 Health Savings Account Updates for 2008:
I had the privilege of being interviewed for the January Issue of Health Insurance Underwriters and it was based on the Health Savings Account/High Deductible major medical plans. You can go to that article from this link (Click for article here).
2008 HSA Contribution Limits, Deductibles, and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
2008 offers individuals and families additional opportunities to save for current and future health care with a health savings account:
- HSA holders can choose to save up to $2,900 for an individual and $5,800 for a family (HSA holders 55 and older get to save an extra $900 which means $3,800 for an individual and $6,700 for a family) - and these contributions are 100% tax deductible off your state (where applicable) and federal income tax.
- Age 55 or older and have an HSA Account? If you are single, you can add another $900.00 to your account in 2008. If you are married with a family plan, you can add another $1,800.00 to your account this year
- Annual out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, co-payments and other amounts, but not premiums) cannot exceed $5,600 for self-only coverage and $11,200 for family coverage.
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Minimum
Deductible |
Maximum
Out-of-Pocket |
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Contribution Limit |
55+ Contribution |
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Single |
$1,100 |
$5,600 |
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$2,900 |
$900 |
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Family |
$2,200 |
$11,200 |
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$5,800 |
$900 |
For more detailed information on changes in HSA law, visit the U.S. Department of Treasury website at www.ustreas.gov or talk with your tax advisor.
If you are under age 55, and have a family, you can save in your account and deduct this amount from your federal and state income taxes for 2008 of $5,800.00 and if you are over age 55, you can take another $1,800.00 for 2 adults ($900.00 each) more and place it in your account and reduce your taxable income by that same amount. Do you know of any deduction you can take and still have the money?
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From HSA Bank:
Take Control Over Your Medical Spending. HDHPs and HSAs give you more control over your health care expenses and let you use your money in your best interests. Take charge in 2008. HSA Resources does not control how you spend or save your money, although we do our best to give you the tools to make the right decisions. See our HSA Guide for more information.
Pay for Eligible Medical Expenses Tax Free. If you have an HDHP you must open your HSA before you incur any medical expenses. Use your HSA to pay for eligible medical expenses tax free. See HSA Resources' Eligible Medical Expenses list for a list of eligible and not eligible expenses. | | |
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Use this area to provide your subscribers information about your organization.
John Stewart BA, MSM, CDHP
Consumer Driven Health Plan Specialist
Stewart's Insurance Depot |
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Eat Healthy and Right
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To improve your health one of the easiest things to do is watch what you eat and how much you eat. Fast foods on a regular basis is not healthy eating. What is healthy is reducing the saturated fats, sodium, and trans fats.
Here are some things to look for when you are shopping for food.
Sodium The average person should consume no more than 2,400 milligrams of sodium each day, or between 600-800 milligrams per meal. This is very important if you have high blood pressure. If you are buying prepared foods, look for reduced sodium varieties. Products marked low sodium, very low sodium or no salt added are your best choices.
Fats Fats at times can be confusing while some increase your risk of heart disease, others actually lower it.
Saturated Fats Avoid these, because they raise LDL, the bad cholesterol. They are found in fatty cuts of meat, butter, lard, cream, whole milk and tropical oils (coconut, palm, and palm kernel.)
Monounsaturated Fats When substituted for saturated fats, these fats actually help lower LDL. They are found in olive and canola oil, most nuts. peanut butter, avocados and olives.
Polyunsaturated Fats When substituted for saturated and trans fats, these also help to lower LDL. You will find this fat in safflower sunflower, sesame, corn and soybean oils, soybeans, sesame seeds, walnuts, ground flax seed and fish.
Omega-3 Fats Omega-3 is essential and have shown to lower triglycerides at high doses and prevent arrhythmias. It appears to be particularly beneficial to heart attack patients. They are found in soybeans, walnuts, ground flaxseed and fish.
Trans Fats No, no, no! Stay away from these fats, they increase bad cholesterol, decrease good cholesterol and cause "stickier" platelets which can lead to clogged arteries. Definitely not something to eat!
Remember, one of the keys to healthier living comes from the slogan we are what we eat. Cut down on your portions and do your best to stay away from those bad fats. |
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