SHIPs (State Health Insurance Assistance Programs) have counselors who live in your local area and can provide you with free, unbiased, expert advice on Medicare. The advice is:

• free to you as a result of the federal funding the SHIPs receive from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources.
• unbiased because the SHIP Medicare counselors are not affiliated with any insurance company. They do not sell insurance or any other product. They are employed by SHIP to provide objective guidance, not to promote any product.
• expert as a result of the extensive, in-depth training in Medicare information that SHIP counselors have mastered.

Good advice on Medicare could save you money and time. It could also relieve you from stress and protect you from fraud and scams.

More About Your SHIP Medicare Counselor

You might think of your SHIP Medicare counselor like a reference librarian at your local library: highly trained, professional, and eager to provide you objective guidance.

Your SHIP Medicare counselor is also like a docent volunteer at your local museum: passionate with their knowledge, excited to share and help you become better informed. In fact, many SHIP Medicare counselors are indeed volunteers. They generously share their time and knowledge and are not paid.

The SHIP Experience Success Stories

Reflecting on her experience with SHIP, Tracey Stewart has said, “You know the older I get, the more I know that the best thing to do is just to go get advice from resources that I can trust… It’s great information. It’s free. It’s going to save you money and it’s going to help you pick the right program for you. That’s the bottom line.”

Talking about SHIP, Francine Dent has stated, “The training, whatever the training is they go through, it’s a good training. They really almost know automatically the questions to ask you to help you journey through whatever your concerns are or your needs might be.”

Offering strong advice, Mary Crandall has recommended:

“The Medicare counselors help you make that decision and get you the cheapest program, the program that works best for you… Number one, you have to have a Medicare counselor. You just have to. There are so many people that cannot pay for it, and then they are getting wrong information, possibly. They’re making wrong decisions… It’s so important. I felt much more confident in what I was about to do, the decision I was about to make.”

When to Use a SHIP Medicare Counselor

Here are nine key times when a SHIP Medicare counselor’s advice could be especially valuable for you:

#1: During Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday. It is a seven-month period. It ends three months after the month of your 65th birthday. You could receive guidance, for example, on whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with Medigap plans would best fit your needs. You could also get help with enrolling in a plan.

#2: During the General Enrollment Period (GEP)

The General Enrollment Period is for folks who missed enrolling during their IEP. Each year, this period runs from January 1 through March 31. Coverage begins the month after enrollment during GEP. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you avoid missing out on this second-chance window.

#3: While the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) Is Open

The Annual Enrollment Period, also known as the Open Enrollment Period, runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. In this timeframe, a SHIP Medicare counselor could help you make major changes such as:

• move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
• move from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare.
• switch Medicare Advantage plans.
• enroll in, or swap Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
• drop Part D coverage.

#4: At the Time of Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

A Special Enrollment Period is the eight months after an employee exits their employer’s coverage. Employees who work beyond age 65 and wish to continue coverage under their employer’s health insurance plan can delay enrolling in Medicare. When they stop working, they can avoid late enrollment penalties by signing up during their Special Enrollment Period. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you navigate this transition.

#5: During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs every year from January 1 to March 31. It is specifically for folks enrolled in Medicare Advantage. During the MA OEP, folks can make a one-time change to their coverage by switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan or returning to Original Medicare. They also can choose to enroll or not enroll in a Part D plan. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you sort out all your diverse options.

#6: Upon Receiving “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC)

The ANOC informs you of the changes in your current plan that take effect the next year. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you understand how these changes might affect you and whether it would make sense to change plans.

#7: When Comparing Coverage Documents

The Evidence of Coverage (EOC) documents for each plan can be more than two hundred pages long. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you figure out which parts of the document are important to you.

#8: In Case of Claims or Bill Disputes

A SHIP Medicare counselor could help mediate for you during a claim or bill dispute with your medical, drug or plan provider.

#9: Before Working with an Insurance Broker

By law, every insurance company offering plans in your local area must register those plans with government regulators. Thus, SHIP has information on all those plans. In contrast, insurance brokers get their information from the insurance companies. Brokers may have information on many plans, but rarely would they have information on all the plans available to you.

In summary, SHIP counselors live in your local area and could provide you with no-cost, objective, Medicare expertise. Please allow these valuable counselors to help you.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What has been your experience with a SHIP Medicare counselor? What are your primary sources of information on Medicare? Who are your trusted sources for guidance on Medicare? Please join the conversation.

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One of the best parts of getting older is the opportunity to build new adult bonds with children, grandchildren and next generation friends in our lives. They keep us young at heart and introduce us to all things hip, cool and fun – stuff we wouldn’t have known about or experienced otherwise.

On the flipside, these relationships afford us the chance to flex lifechanging skills in supporting, coaching, mentoring and unconditional loving, gifts that will sustain our loved ones into their own Golden Years and beyond.

A Study’s Revelations

A January 2022 study from North Dakota State University called “Strengthening Grandparent/Grandchild Ties,” underscores the importance of this relationship.

“The role of grandparent is very meaningful in later life. Roughly 70 million Americans are grandparents and they may have this long-term role for half of their lives. Grandparenthood is often thought to be one of the most rewarding family roles. Grandparents can play a part in guiding and helping their grandchildren grow and develop, while typically having less responsibility and stress than the parent. Grandparents take great joy in watching a young child grow into adulthood and taking part in their various life accomplishments. Grandparenting has been shown to have health benefits, for instance, in fighting off symptoms of depression, encouraging physical activity, or helping to keep older adults mentally sharp,” the study introduction read.

Connections Require Time and Persistence

These relationships, however, don’t come easily. With busy schedules and distance often separating us from the people we love, it takes hard work and persistence to connect with the young people in our lives.

The first step is to focus on connection not perfection. This is an important mindset. The goal is to develop a relationship, and relationships are rarely orderly or precise or perfect in any way. The best bonds are built organically and authentically, not methodically. Building relationships with younger loved ones requires an openness to the special qualities these folks embody, the unique circumstances in which they live and the special connection you will have with them.

With that mindset shift, the playing field becomes wide open for opportunities to advance these beautiful relationships. Here are a few suggestions on how to get started and keep feeding them:

Know Their Contact Information

Know how to phone, email and text grandkids or young loved ones, and how to find and reach out to them on social media. Be the first to make contact in these venues and do it often. Send encouraging texts or emails with frequency, celebrate the successes or events they post with loving comments or direct messages. Know birthdates and special occasions, tell them you’re thinking about them and love them.

Most young people today have access to communication devices from a very young age. While it may be thoughtful to inquire about them through their parents, gatekeeper access is not a requirement when you want to build personal relationships with younger loved ones. Reach out directly in ways that are meaningful.

Schedule Regular Outings, Meals or Events with Younger Friends if You Live Nearby

Regular meetups are wonderful occasions to build conversations and share thoughts. Any opportunity to get to know your children, grandchildren or friends a little better is time and money well spent.

Plan Trips or Excursions with Your People!

You don’t have to blow the bank to have a high return on an investment in fun, leisure or travel. Being in new places is fun because everyone learns a little something and makes memories for a lifetime. Memories and legacies are priceless and stand the test of time.

Invest in Your People

Whether it’s something extraordinary, like sponsoring their education, or buying them some socks from the Dollar Store (like my grandmother did for me each year), consider your capacity for gifting to the young people in your life and do it happily. This also builds a beautiful legacy and a sense of gratitude and connection.

Write Love Letters

Writing actual notes or cards and popping them in the mailbox is a lost art, but it’s one in desperate need of reviving! The notes my grandparents sent to me over the years are sustaining relics that continue to bring me great contentment and joy. Letters are a beautiful way to show support, love and interest in the young people of your life.

Find an Activity, Game or Hobby That Resonates with Your Youthful Peeps and Make Time to Engage in Them Often

The aforementioned North Dakota State University study also included some helpful suggestions for connecting with younger loved ones. Some of those tips for fostering stronger grandfamily bonds are to: “make time to connect by prioritizing communication and making time for conversations; express affection and discuss your feelings; share stories, life happenings and family history with one another; plan special moments and events together; remember and honor special days together; and to laugh together and celebrate the fun moments in life.”

Regarding communication tips, the study suggested the following strategies, which are all excellent and underscore some of the points we discussed earlier: “Be present and willing to listen; give advice when appropriate, but also be willing to listen and provide support; set a routine – consider scheduling weekly calls or check-ins; remember, even a quick message can let someone know you care and are thinking of them; send mail for special dates, but also just for fun; talk about family history and shared stories; and find ways to connect face to face – whether in person or using technology.

The bottom line is establishing healthy relationships with adult children, grandchildren and other youthful folks in your life is a most worthy pursuit. It not only advances our legacy, it creates new memories for all and provides a framework of support and love in our special communities.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How are you establishing meaningful relationships with children, grandchildren and other young people in your circles? What works for you? What are the benefits you’ve discovered?

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Because who can resist some sparkle in their lives?

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It’s complicated.

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Did you know that only 17% of high school students are required to take a personal finance course? Unfortunately, most of us didn’t learn much about personal finance or investing at home or in school when we were growing up either.

The Gift of Financial Education: Money Skills and Financial Freedom

Teaching grandkids about money is crucial because money is an integral part of our daily lives. Planting seeds now is important, even while they are still riding scooters, swinging on monkey bars, or coloring with crayons.

It’s important to introduce them to the concepts of earning, saving, spending, and managing money wisely so they understand the value of a dollar. This helps shape good money habits and smart financial decisions as they grow.

Instilling positive habits teaches financial responsibility, builds confidence, and leads to better decisions, helping to prevent common financial mistakes later on, such as credit card debt, living without a budget, and struggling to manage money.

Why Parents and Grandparents Should Teach Kids About Money

Too often, parents avoid teaching their kids about money because they think their children are too young to understand, or they assume their kids will learn how to manage money when they’re older.

This is a big mistake. When left to learn about money on their own, kids may pick up both good and bad habits from friends, social media, or through trial and error. They also observe how their parents handle money, sometimes unknowingly adopting poor money habits that can lead to financial stress, paycheck-to-paycheck living, or debt.

It’s critical to break this cycle by teaching kids’ good money habits at a young age. This is where you, as a grandparent, can be of service. You’ve been through a lot in your lifetime, and you know the good, the bad, and the ugly of managing or mismanaging money.

Teaching Kids About Money Is Simple

It’s not hard to teach kids about money. Keep it simple, practical, interactive, and fun!

Teach them the basics in an age-appropriate manner. Real-life examples and hands-on activities are some of the most effective tools. The key is to start early, be consistent, and make it fun!

Age-Appropriate Money Lessons

Ages 3 to 7

Piggy Bank and Play Money

Young kids can start identifying coins and understanding that money has value. Introduce the concept of saving with a piggy bank. Encourage them to save spare change and let them see how money adds up over time.

Play Store

Let kids practice making choices, purchases, and counting in a pretend store setting.

Ages 8 to 12

Earning an Allowance

Let kids earn a regular allowance by doing chores. This teaches them about earning, budgeting, saving, and responsible spending. It helps them set savings goals for something they might want or need.

Grocery Shopping Game

Give them a budget and let them make choices within it. This helps them learn to make good decisions – and likely a few bad ones, too!

Ages 13 to 18

Savings Accounts and Compound Interest

Introduce them to savings accounts and explain how compound interest works. If you give them a debit card for purchases, link it to their savings account to teach responsibility with card usage.

Family Financial Discussions

Include them in discussions about household bills like the mortgage, rent, electricity, water, and groceries. This teaches them the real costs of day-to-day living.

Ages 18 and Beyond

Credit and Loans

Explain how credit and loans work (e.g., student loans, car loans, and mortgages). Teach them the importance of maintaining a good credit score and about compounding interest when saving and investing.

Fun Family Activities to Teach Kids About Money

Entrepreneurship

Encourage a lemonade stand or selling artwork/crafts to teach about earning, expenses, and profits.

Board Games

Games like Monopoly teach concepts of buying, selling, and investing in real estate.

Grocery Shopping

Teach decision-making, price comparison, staying within a budget, and the value of coupons.

How to Raise a Grateful, Respectful, Responsible, and Non-Entitled Child

This is one of the biggest challenges parents and grandparents face today. While a certain degree of “good spoiling” is okay, especially for grandparents, too much of anything – whether toys, clothes, gadgets, or electronics – can overwhelm and have negative consequences.

For example, too many choices can lead to overstimulation, fatigue, lack of focus, and diminished creativity. Toys are meant to enrich and teach children, but an overabundance can have the opposite effect. Kids thrive with fewer toys and benefit from simplicity – less is more.

Finding Balance

While it’s important to provide kids with what they need and enjoy, don’t give them so much that they don’t appreciate it or feel entitled. Striking this balance is essential if you want your kids to be grateful, not entitled.

Set Limits and Stick to Them

Say no to your kids often – and mean it. Teach them about delayed gratification. Have them do chores to earn money. Teach them to respect and care for their belongings.

Buy Fewer Things

Instead of buying more, spend more time with your kids. Create and enjoy experiences with them that will last a lifetime.

Teaching kids about money from an early age sets the foundation for lifelong financial success. By instilling good habits, fostering responsibility, and making learning about money fun, you equip your children with the skills they need to make smart financial choices as they grow.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What strategies have you found helpful in teaching your kids and grandkids about money? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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The details are in.

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