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"School is out, Summer is here,
time for picnics, family vacations,
and endless good cheer."
We hope everyone's Summer is off to a great start and that you are now looking forward to that much needed vacation. Whether you are traveling far or just staying home to relax, We Wish You a Happy, Safe and Enjoyable Summer.
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| "Top Ten Ways To Be Happy"
by Dr. Philip E. Humbert
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One of my favorite songs is Bobby McFerrin's refrain, "Don't Worry, Be Happy". I was reminded of Abraham Lincoln's comment that, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." The following are my Top 10 Tips to increase happiness in your life.
1. Decide To Be A Happy Person. As Lincoln observed, most people, most of the time can choose how stressed or happy, how troubled or relaxed they want to be. Choose to be happy.
2. Watch and Read Less News. A a recovering new addict, I know this can be difficult because the stock market fluctuates, politicians politic, and sports teams compete. But most of the time, you don't need the stress. So, just don't watch. I think it was Henry Thoreau who noted that if you've ever read about a train wreck, you understand the principle and don't need to know any more.
3. Practice the Attitude of Gratitude. We all have so much to be grateful for. Just thanking the many people who assist us, encourage us, teach us and open doors for us could take all day!
4. Take Time. My dog has taught me much about loyalty, about noticing the sights, sounds, and smells in the yard, about being relaxed and about play. Eat when you're hungry, nap when you need it. Get your ears scratched if possible!
5. Laugh Everyday. Hear a joke, tell a joke, laugh at yourself, laugh with your friends and family and co-workers. There are very few medicines as powerful as laughter, and I don't think you can over-dose, although it is addicting!
6. Love Well. Express your affection, appreciation, friendship and warmth to those around you, and they will almost always respond in the most amazing ways! Be generous...it pays great dividends!
7. Work Hard.
This one comes as a bit of a surprise, but there is tremendous satisfaction in being competent, and joy in completing our assigned tasks. One of the great sources of happiness is to do work that is worthy of you, and to do it well.
8. Learn Something New Everyday. To be happy, most of us must also be growing, expanding, learning and challenging ourselves. Read, listen, adapt and stretch to accommodate new ideas and new information.
9. Use Your Body As It Was Designed. Walk and run, stretch, throw things, and lift things. Dance! Exercise is good, but so is making love, mixing up a batch of cookies, or exchanging back rubs.
10. Avoid Toxins. I prefer writing positives (things to do) rather than negatives (things to fear), but reality says there are negative people and there are bad chemicals, stressful noises, and unsafe places. Don't go there! Avoid poisons whenever possible. It seems to work out better that way.
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| Accumulating & Securing Retirement Dollars
Questions To Think About
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At Bay State Insurance Agency Ltd. we help folks accumulate and secure retirement dollars through safe money. We are proud of the work we do for our clients. Not one of our clients has lost a penny of their hard earned money during any downturn in the stock market.
Over the last several years when we meet with new potential clients, which you have recommended to us, we are usually asked a number of thought provoking and disturbing questions. We wanted to share a few of them with you.
Can you prevent me from losing 40% again? Yes. In fact, products with principal protection features can guarantee that it won't happen again.
Does "Buy and Hold" really work today? As advertisements for securities investments routinely state, past performance doesn't guarantee future results. When principal protection is important, products with principal guarantees should be used.
How safe is my money? Different investment and savings vehicles have different levels of safety, from extremely risky to guaranteed. It's important that you consider your personal situation, individual needs and risk tolerance as well as the potential risks and rewards of all products being considered before you make any purchase.
How safe are bonds compared to stocks? Experts see investment grade bonds as safer than stocks because, if held to maturity, the bond will return its principal value plus interest so long as the issuer of the bond doesn't default. However, because the value of a bond fluctuates with interest rates until maturity, an investor who sells a bond prior to maturity does bear significant risk.
I thought my money was "diversified". Was it really? The most recent market meltdown shows what should have been obvious--diversification isn't a cure-all when essentially every investment vehicle is losing value. Simply stated, diversification can't protect against loss. You need insurance guarantees for that.
How can I avoid paying fees, even in years when I lose money? Investments like mutual funds and variable annuities charge annual fees every year, even when they lose money. When investments like individual stocks and bonds are bought or sold, commissions are charged. However, when you purchase a savings vehicle like a fixed and fixed index annuity you are not typically charged anything at any time.
How do I address inflation risk in times like these? Many annuity products provide inflation protection of various types and kinds. Be sure to consider the latest innovations.
Is this really just a paper loss? A so-called paper loss is a real loss; it just isn't realized (and felt) until the product is sold. An investor who is able to hold onto an investment that has lost money indefinitely may see its value go back up, but many don't have that luxury. It's also important to remember that if you lose (for example) 40% on and investment, a 67% return is then needed to get back to where you started. How likely do you think that is?
Is my money any safer with an insurance company?
Historically, insurance companies have failed much less often than banks and brokerages. For those rare occasions when an insurance carrier does fail, The National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations has stated that "every holder of a covered life insurance, annuity, or non-cancelable health insurance policy who has made the required premium payments has been given the opportunity to have the policy assumed by another healthy carrier or had the covered portions of their policies fulfilled by their guaranty association itself." What investment options do I have that provide FDIC insurance? Only banks can offer products with FDIC insurance, subject to certain limits. SIPC insurance protects securities investors from fraud or a brokerage insolvency, but market risk isn't covered. As noted above, State Guaranty Associations cover the value of insurance products, including principal guarantees. These limits are often higher than those offered by the FDIC. |
| Supplementing Your Medicare Coverage |  Medicare is a vital part of the health insurance portfolio for millions of Americans, including baby boomers who are aging into the Medicare program at the rate of 10,000 a day. As boomers review their options for how they can receive their Medicare coverage, they'll discover that they'll need to find ways to pay for the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn't cover, such as deductibles, copays and coinsurance.
Medicare supplement insurance can help boomers and other beneficiaries limit and more accurately predict their out-of-pocket costs, giving them peace of mind in the event of an unexpected medical issue. Boomers who decide that a Medicare supplement plan is right for them should consider several factors when deciding which plan to choose.
Selecting a Medicare Supplement Plan
First, identify your needs, and then select a Medicare supplement plan that will best meet them. In most states, Medicare enrollees may select from any one of 10 standardized Medicare supplement plans approved for sale within their state of residence. If you want to supplement Medicare's prescription drug benefits, you'll need to consider enrolling in a Part D plan.
Choosing a Medicare Supplement Insurance Provider
It is important to research plan providers in your state to find one that is financially sound and also offers competitive rates, top-notch service, and the plan that fits your budget and needs. Although insurance companies are required to offer standardized Medicare supplement plans and benefits, the rates and value-added services will vary, sometimes significantly.
In general, your age when applying for a plan will be used to determine your rate, so find out if the company is using a flat or community rating, entry-age rating or attained-age rating. A flat rating means a company charges everyone the same rate for a particular plan. The flat rate will not increase solely because you grow older. An entry-age rating offers different rates for a plan based on your age at the time of enrollment. Similar to flat rating, the rate will not increase simply because you grow older. An attained-age rating means your plan's monthly rate will increase each year as you age, so it's important to ask the company about their rate increase history for the plan you are considering.
Lastly, see what "extras" may be offered to you by the provider if you enroll in their plan. While companies cannot alter the federally mandated benefits of Medicare supplement plans, they can offer you additional value-added features, such as free or discounted access to certain health and well-being services.
Your Health Status
You'll also want to consider the potential difficulty of enrolling in the plan you want. Some Medicare supplement carriers underwrite all of their plans, while others underwrite only a select few. If a plan is underwritten, the status of your health at the time of enrollment is used to determine your eligibility for the plan and may also affect your rate.
The best time to purchase a Medicare supplement plan is during your open enrollment period, which is the six-month period beginning on the first day of the month in which you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you apply for a Medicare supplement plan during this window, your acceptance is guaranteed into the plan of your choice, regardless of your health status. If you are enrolled or planning to enroll in both Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65, you can apply for a Medicare supplement policy up to three months prior to your 65th birthday.by Susan Morisato
Retirement Living
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Sincerely,
Mike Zimmer & Rebecca Thacker
Bay State Insurance Agency Limited
410-758-1680
1-877-411-3702
"Your Safe Money Team"
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Quick Links |
Individual Health Insurance
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Just A Little Humor
WHERE WOULD YOU BE:
IF - YOU HAD ALL THE MONEY YOUR
HEART DESIRES.
IF - YOU HAD NO WORRIES.
IF - YOU CAME HOME AND THE FINEST
MEAL WAS AWAITING YOU.
IF - YOUR BATH WATER HAD BEEN RUN.
IF - YOU HAD THE PERFECT KIDS & PETS.
IF - YOUR PARTNER WAS AWAITING YOU, WITH OPEN ARMS AND KISSES?
SO, WHERE WOULD YOU BE? Well....... HELLOOooo !!!!!!! 
You'd be at the WRONG FRICKIN' HOUSE!
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A Sliver Lining for Your Retirement Account
If you transfer your IRA's, Annuities, old 401(k)s, or any other retirement account to us, one of our major insurance carriers will guarantee you an immediate 10% premium bonus;
$50,000 becomes $ 55,000
$100,000 becomes $110,000
$250,000 becomes $275,000
In addition to your premium bonus, for folks age 40 and above, how would you like to learn how you can add an income rider with a guaranteed 6.25% income growth for up to 10 years with an option to extend for an additional 10 years. This is not a prediction, this is a guarantee. You simply need to take a lifetime income.
Isn't it time you stop gambling in the risky stock market and get a good night's sleep? If you would like to have guaranteed growth and an income you can count on, give us a call at 410-758-1680 to learn how to earn more.
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 Thanks to those you have served, who do serve, and most of all, to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to America. Let Freedom Ring. |
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Thanks to YOU the word is spreading. Thanks to all of our clients and friends who graciously referred us to their friends and neighbors last month! There's no question we have the BEST clients on the entire planet. Our business is built on word of mouth advertising and we would like to thank everyone who has been kind enough to recommend our services to their friends. We promise to treat your friends just like we treated you, with respect and understanding. We promise to always do what is right for our clients.
______________________________ The purpose of this newsletter is to provide information of general interest to our clients, potential clients and other professionals. The information provided is general in nature and should not be considered complete information on any product or concept described. For complete information, please contact our office at 410-758-1680 or 1-877-411-3702. _____________________________ Supplementing Your Medicare Coverage At Bay State Insurance Agency Ltd, we can help you shop up to 25 different Medicare Supplement Companies with our Computer Quoting Service. For a Free No Obligation Comparison give us a call at 410-758-1680. _____________________________ |
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