For more information about the author, click to view their website: Senior Care Associates - VA Aid & Attendance Specialists Nationwide
By not planning for our futures today many of us are
unknowingly leaving decisions about our futures to other, including long term
care needs. Six in ten of us have not determined how we’ll pay for our long
care needs.
40% of us don’t know that long-term care is more than
nursing home care. Taking control of long term care earlier in life enables us
to live as well as possible how and where we want. This could include daily
assistance with chronic conditions that last a long time. These services come
from many sources.
Only 23% of us know we’ll likely pay for future care needs
with personal savings. Medicare and private health insurance do not cover
long-term services.
Women live longer than men thus are the biggest users of long-term care. Women
are typically so busy with their own lives and caring for others that they only
address their own needs after everyone else’s. Take some time and a few easy
steps can provide peace of mind now and in the future.
Know your family medical history. This will help prevent against chronic
conditions that may have existed in your family’s history.
As you age take a look at your home. Do you have stairs to navigate? Is your
bedroom and bathroom on the main floor? Take a look at your home and see if it
suits your needs as you age.
What amenities does your community offer? Do you have access
to transportation, activities and services that are important to you?
Talk to your family about future financial and medical wishes to ensure they
are aware of what you’d like.
Know your finances. What options do you have now? What care
options would you want for the future? Know what the costs are for long-term
care needs, assisted living etc.
Know your options. Go on line. Google. Call and ask
questions of what is out there and what is available. Costs?
Plan for the future. What are your lifestyle goals and
needs?
As you amass assets during the course of a lifetime, its easy to forget about how much you have and what its worth. Art in the attic, classic cars in storage, retirement accounts across multiple employers: if youre not aware of it all, your portfolio can lose value quickly. A financial advisor who offers assets under management services does so to protect your portfolio from the inevitable changes that your assets can undergo over time.Assets Under Management Strategies in Lancaster, Pa.The first asset you acquire in life, whether its a beatup car or a few shares of a brandnew company, is usually a gamechanging event. Its the first step on what is hopefully a journey toward a lucrative portfolio. Leveraging your assets to build your wealth is more than just financial jargon, its a path that can increase your wealth over time, so you can accomplish everything on your list.A financial advisor at a boutique retirement firm can take the time to get to know who you are and how you invest. At Bodnar Financial Group, Len Bodnar, RICP (R), is there to help his clients get a handle on their assets, so he can help you strategize them for better margins.For instance, a failing asset may need to be either sold or converted, depending on details behind the investment. A middlerange asset may need to be adjusted to optimize its performance. Finally, your strongest assets may need to be carefully watched, so a financial advisor can capitalize during the best of times and protect your wealth if and when it bottoms out.Theres a lot to be said for how assets change while you own them, and its not always easy to know when to cut and run from a property or when to stick with it. If you dont have the time or the inclination to spend on managing it all, the right financial advisor can help mitigate the stress. Its just one less thing to worry about as you get closer to your last day on the job.
Most people think that theyre managing their taxes as well as they can, regardless of whether they opt for the standard deduction, hire a CPA every year, or painstakingly comb through every line item. The reality is that no matter how you file, youre likely missing a few opportunities. When it comes to efficient tax management, its more than knowing every nuance of the local, state, and federal tax codes. Why Efficient Tax Planning is Critical in Lancaster, Pa Efficient tax management is a financial concept that shines a light on your portfolio in relationship to your larger retirement goals. A financial advisor will be able to see your taxes from every angle, which can help them make more lucrative decisions for your longterm future. For instance, if your capital gain taxes for next year are going to eat into your investment opportunities, your advisor may recommend deferring the taxes so you can maximize your returns. Even though you will have to pay the taxes at some point, the overall margins will be improved by the financial advisors plans. A financial advisor at a boutique retirement firm doesnt just know your investment strategies. In other words, theyre aware of more than just your personal relationship with risk and if you prefer to invest in the market or in real estate. At Bodnar Financial Group, you get to work with an expert who takes the time to find smarter strategies for you. When so much of your income goes to taxes, you have to ask yourself when you can use the tax codes to your advantage. The right professional can make a major difference to your bottom line, and this is true no matter how you envision yourself spending your golden years. Even those who have little more than a few modest demands for themselves may find that they want to support a specific charity or fund their grandchildrens college years. At Bodnar, you get all the guidance you need to achieve your goals.
If youre asking a friend, how much do I need to retire?, its likely because theres no definitive answer. If youve saved $1 million, it will give you an annual income of somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000. This may be more than enough to cover your needs, but it doesnt always account for the worst of emergencies.Retirement income is a way to safeguard yourself by generating more income per month than you spend. If you work with the right financial advisor, youll get all the advice you need to start making smart moves to get your finances on solid ground long before you officially hang up your hat at work.Planning Your Retirement IncomeThe question of how to plan your retirement income comes down to what you personally want from your golden years. The goal of retirement income is to replace your annual paycheck from revenue sources like Social Security, pensions, or rental checks from properties you own. You might even want to take a parttime job in an industry youve always had a passion for, such as a guitar teacher at a music store or a pourer at a craft brewery.At Bodnar Financial Group, a boutique retirement firm, Len Bodnar, RICP (R), can tell you more about what makes the most sense for your financial years. Whether youd prefer to tie up most of your assets in real estate or the market, he can tell you more about which income strategies will have the best impact on your bottom line. For instance, you may want to rollover your retirement accounts to consolidate them, so its easier to see how much youll need to hit your target monthly income. Regardless of your retirement age, working with an advisor can help you understand more about how youll manage your finances during your golden years. The right expert can also give you a comfortable enough margin to achieve other dreams you might have entertained, such as paying for your descendants masters degree or traveling the world.
Aid & Attendance was established in 1952 to provide financial assistance to wartime veterans and/or their surviving spouses who lack the funds necessary to pay for the care they require with routine activities of daily living in their homes, assisted living and nursing home care. Those who served our country 90 days active duty state side or abroad during a period of war, 65 and above may be eligible for this pension. Are you a war time Veteran? Are you a surviving spouse of a Veteran? If the answer to this is, yes, then you may be eligible for a separate pension through the VA called Aid & Attendance. The Veterans Aid and Attendance pension has been around since 1952. Most Veterans and or spouses have never heard of Veterans Aid and Attendance and sometimes find it hard to believe that it even exists. The Veterans Aid & Attendance pension is a separate pension set aside for those Veterans, spouses and surviving spouses who are aging and are at the point in their lives that they are in need of some assistance with their care. This care could be provided while living in your home, Retirement Living (with care coming in), Assisted Living or a Nursing Home. If you are in need of assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living) you may qualify. To determine eligibility for Aid and Attendance pension we look at these areas first: Did the Veteran serve90 days active duty, one day during a period of war state side or overseas and honorably discharged? Do you have expenses for care? Expenses such as a Medicare supplement, a caregiver or family members assisting with care, assisted living expense etc. Income such as Social Security, Retirement, Pension, Rental Income etc. Cash Assets- Checking and Savings, 401K, IRAs, Investments etc. Health- if you are using a walker or a cane, oxygen, meal preparation bathing, transportation, assistance, etc. If you feel you meet some of these criteria, you may qualify. This is a TAX FREE monthly pension directly deposited into your bank account. 2022 Amounts: Veteran- $2,050 Surviving Spouse- $1,318 Veteran & Spouse- $2,431 Dependent Spouse- $1,607 The pension is retroactive, meaning; you will receive monies back from the first day of the month after you apply. How long does it take to get the pension? 2-6 months. It will take longer to receive back pay when Alzheimer's or severe Dementia is involved due to an additional step that is required by the VA. These are the documents we will review first to determine eligibility for the Aid and Attendance pension: Military/separation papers (DD-214), Marriage certificate or license Death certificate for surviving spouses only Current Social Security statement letter Current bank statement all pages Any other asset documentation if any. By reviewing these documents we will have a fairly good idea if we need to pushforward with the process. Many Seniors have lost much of their savings due to the downward economy and many are outliving their savings. The Aid and Attendance pension has helped many Veterans, spouses and surviving spouses increase their standard of living either by helping them afford care in their home, or the possibility of moving to or staying at a Retirement or Assisted Living and a Nursing Home. Please call us to discuss the areas of criteria and to determine eligibility for the Aid and Attendance pension.