Retirement Planning Resources

An older woman and her adult daughter calmly organize employer health coverage paperwork together at a dining table.

Retirement Planning

Medicare Part B Special Enrollment After Employer Coverage Ends: A Family Guide to CMS-40B and CMS-L564

A practical family guide to Medicare Part B Special Enrollment after employer coverage ends, including CMS-40B, CMS-L564, COBRA timing, proof, and follow-up.

Jul 22, 2026

An older man and his adult daughter calmly review Medicare premium paperwork together at a dining table.

Retirement Planning

Medicare IRMAA After a Life-Changing Event: A Family Guide to Form SSA-44

A practical family guide to understanding Medicare IRMAA notices, qualifying life-changing events, Form SSA-44 evidence, secure submission, and follow-up.

Jul 21, 2026

Older woman and adult daughter reviewing a prescription bottle and Medicare drug plan paperwork at a kitchen table

Retirement Planning

Medicare Part D Drug Exceptions and Appeals: A Family Guide to Formulary Problems

A practical family guide to Medicare Part D formulary exceptions, prior authorization, step therapy, quantity limits, tiering requests, and drug appeals.

Jul 18, 2026

Older adult and adult child organizing retirement account paperwork at a kitchen table

Retirement Planning

RMDs and Inherited Retirement Accounts: A Family Organizer

A practical organizer for RMD deadlines, IRA and 401(k) paperwork, beneficiary records, inherited account questions, and family follow-up.

Jul 3, 2026

Older adult and adult child reviewing Medicare paperwork together at a kitchen table.

Retirement Planning

Medicare Summary Notices and EOBs: A Family Checklist for Reviewing Bills and Denials

A practical family checklist for comparing Medicare Summary Notices, EOBs, provider bills, denials, QMB protections, and appeal deadlines before paying.

Jun 28, 2026

Older adult and adult daughter reviewing Medicare cost assistance paperwork together at a kitchen table

Retirement Planning

Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help: A Family Guide to Lowering Medicare Costs

A practical family guide to Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help, including 2026 limits, QMB, SLMB, QI, Part D drug-cost help, application steps, and document checklists.

Jun 26, 2026

Older adult and adult daughter reviewing Social Security survivor benefit paperwork at a kitchen table.

Retirement Planning

Social Security Survivor Benefits After a Spouse Dies: A Family Checklist

A practical family checklist for Social Security survivor benefits after a spouse dies, including who may qualify, what to gather, when to call SSA, and how to organize next steps.

Jun 26, 2026

Older adult and adult child reviewing dental, vision, and hearing benefit paperwork at a kitchen table

Retirement Planning

Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage in Retirement: A Family Guide to Medicare Gaps

A practical family guide to dental, vision, and hearing coverage in retirement, including Original Medicare gaps, Medicare Advantage benefit questions, Medicaid variation, and appointment checklists.

Jun 22, 2026

Older adult and adult child reviewing Medicare papers at a kitchen table during a video counseling call.

Retirement Planning

How to Use Free SHIP Counseling for Medicare Enrollment, Plan Reviews, and Appeals

Free State Health Insurance Assistance Program counseling can help families prepare for Medicare enrollment, compare plan choices, organize drug lists, and understand appeal rights without sales pressure.

Jun 16, 2026

Older adult and adult child reviewing organized Medicare Advantage paperwork at a kitchen table

Retirement Planning

Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization: A Family Checklist for Requests, Denials, and Appeals

A practical Medicare Advantage prior authorization checklist for families: what to ask before care, how to organize plan paperwork, and what to do if a request is denied.

Jun 14, 2026

Older adult and adult child reviewing long-term care insurance claim documents with a professional adviser at a kitchen table

Retirement Planning

Long-Term Care Insurance Claims: A Family Checklist for Getting Benefits Started

A practical family checklist for opening a long-term care insurance claim, tracking benefit triggers, elimination periods, care invoices, and claim follow-up.

Jun 9, 2026

Older veteran and adult child reviewing VA Aid and Attendance benefit paperwork with a professional adviser at a kitchen table

Retirement Planning

VA Aid and Attendance Benefits: A Family Guide to Eligibility, Paperwork, and Red Flags

A practical family guide to VA Aid and Attendance benefits, pension eligibility, 2026 rate tables, paperwork, accredited help, and pension-poaching red flags.

Jun 8, 2026

An older adult and an adult child reviewing hospital discharge planning papers with a professional adviser

Retirement Planning

Medicare Observation Status and Skilled Nursing Coverage: A Family Checklist

A practical family guide to Medicare observation status, inpatient admission, the three-day skilled nursing facility rule, MOON notices, and questions to ask before discharge.

Jun 6, 2026

Prescription medication bottles and pills representing Medicare drug cost planning

Retirement Planning

Medicare Prescription Payment Plan in 2026: What Families Should Know

A practical 2026 family guide to Medicare's Prescription Payment Plan, who it may help, what it does not cover, and how to fit drug costs into a care budget.

May 30, 2026

Senior couple reviewing retirement health care and financial planning documents at home

Retirement Planning

2026 Retirement Health Care Costs: Medicare, IRMAA, HSAs, and Long-Term Care Planning

A 2026 planning guide to Medicare premiums, Part D drug costs, IRMAA income surcharges, HSA limits, and the long-term care costs families often overlook.

May 29, 2026

Retirement Planning

Benefits Checkup: Programs That May Help Older Adults

How families can look for benefit programs for food, prescriptions, utilities, transportation, taxes, and long-term care support.

Apr 26, 2026

Retirement Planning

Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Checklist for Retirees

What to prepare before a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, what it is for, and how families can use it to update care plans.

Apr 26, 2026

Medicare Medicaid long-term care planning cover image

Retirement Planning

Medicare, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care: What Families Should Know

A plain-language guide to what Medicare usually does not cover, where Medicaid may help, and how families can plan before care needs become urgent.

Apr 26, 2026

Retirement care cost planning cover image

Retirement Planning

Retirement Planning When Care Costs Are Part of the Picture

How to connect retirement income, Social Security timing, housing, care costs, emergency funds, and family planning.

Apr 26, 2026