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Southern Maine Retirement Services

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Our Retirement Checklist

May 11, 2022 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

As you approach retirement, you have many decisions to make that can be quite complex. Getting Medicare right is an important piece of being prepared for retirement, but is only one of the factors to consider as you look forward to the next stage of your life.

Our Retirement Checklist

At Southern Maine Retirement Services, we focus on Medicare, but we also see the big picture of how all aspects of your retirement plan come together for you. Doing so helps us to guide you through the Medicare process and select the plans that work for you. Being organized and planning ahead can make everything go much smoother and be much less stressful when it comes time to make decisions and actually retire. In this blog, we’ve put together a checklist of items you should have prepared or at least be ready to address as you approach retirement.

Social Security

Understanding your Social Security benefits and how they are impacted by when you retire is crucial for having a full picture of your retirement finances.

Full retirement age for Social Security is 66, but people may choose to retire earlier or later. The age at which you retire can impact your benefits, as can continuing to work while drawing Social Security.

Every year, you should be receiving a statement from the Social Security Administration. Included with this statement is an estimate of the benefits you can expect if you retire at full retirement age. We recommend looking at this estimate each year, and then doing the research – perhaps speaking with a professional if you need to – to determine how your plans to retire early, retire late, or other factors may impact what you are expecting for Social Security payments.

Notably for our purposes, being enrolled in Social Security at age 65 does mean you are automatically enrolled in Medicare. If you have questions about this aspect of Social Security, the team at SMRS would be happy to speak with you.

Checklist Item: Look at your annual Social Security statement and do the necessary research to determine how your retirement plans will impact your benefits

Income and Tax Items

As you look towards retirement, it is important to speak with a financial advisor who can help you assess the best arrangement for any income you have coming in as well as your retirement funds. If you already have these arrangements in place, take the time to get to know which types of retirement accounts you have and their tax implications.

Roth accounts, tax-deferred accounts, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, health savings accounts – all of these may be taxed differently, which will have an impact on how you want to or can use the money and what your budget is. You’ll also need to understand how Social Security payments, pensions, or other investments will be taxed.

Checklist Item: Speak with a financial professional about how retirement accounts and other income will be taxed

What Medicare Options Are Available?

Knowing that you have health insurance that will be adequate for your needs while not unduly straining your budget is key to enjoying retirement. As you approach age 65, whether you choose to retire then or not, it’s time to start assessing your Medicare options. If you keep working past 65, you may decide to keep your workplace health insurance. If you enroll in Medicare as soon as you’re eligible, you may want or need specialty plans due to existing health conditions and medication needs.

When picking your Medicare plan, you’ve four different options to choose from:

  • Original Medicare A&B
  • Medicare Part D
  • Medicare Supplements
  • Medicare Advantage

You can learn more about each of these on the Medicare website here – but don’t hesitate to call us at (207) 647-2900 for more details and a frank conversation. We’re here to talk it all through with you, walk through your questions and make sure you’re ready to have the retirement you deserve.

Checklist item: Speak with the team at Southern Maine Retirement Services to bring the big picture together and understand which Medicare plan(s) is best for you, your unique situation, and your budget.

Talk to Us

Our experienced team is here to assist you through your retirement journey in 2022 in the best way possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (207) 647-2900 or 1-(866) 866-4340 to discuss your Medicare options. We look forward to working with you and helping you have a smooth transition into retirement.

Filed Under: Retirement Checklist

A Personal Message From Sonya Allen

March 30, 2022 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

Our Clients’ Needs Are Our Priority

As the founder and owner of Southern Maine Retirement Services, the most important thing I want you to know is that our goal is to make sure you are covered by the best Medicare plan possible for YOU. Not the best plan for the insurance company, not the best plan for me, not the best plan for your friend – the best plan for YOU.

A Personal Message From Sonya Allen

Our Approach

To determine the best plan for you, we take a diligent, personalized approach. We’re an Independent Agent so we’re able to offer many different plans in the area, and we’ll take the time to make sure you know about all of the different options available to you. Every member of our team is committed to getting the best end result for you, so we encourage questions, discussion and taking your time.

These services are free to you, our client, because we are compensated by insurance companies. However, even though we are compensated by the insurance companies, we have no allegiance to any insurer – we always work for our clients. As such, we are dedicated to helping you understand the features that make each plan unique as we find the best fit for your retirement needs.

Our services don’t stop once you’ve settled on a Medicare plan. After you’ve made your selection, we work with you to get the most from your plan. We’ll answer any additional questions, make sure doctors and specialists are in your network and guide you through the forms to submit for option benefits.

For us, good customer service is more than just a friendly voice on the phone. It’s about getting to know you and your unique needs and always being on the lookout for ways to help you be best protected through your Medicare plan.

Your Referral Means The World

The highest compliment we can receive is to have a client recommend our services to family and friends. We know we have done our jobs right when we hear from someone that they were told to call us about Medicare. Every day, we strive to build that level of trust with our clients.

If you’d like to work with Southern Maine Retirement Services to find the right Medicare plan for you, please give us a call today at (207) 647-2900. Or, you can email me directly at sonya@smaineretirement.com.

Filed Under: Medicare Eligibility, Our Story

Planning Retirement in 2022

January 12, 2022 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

Anxious about your medical insurance after your retirement? Don’t worry you are not alone. Over 10,000 people are eligible for medicare every day. A large number of people who are nearing retirement or have already retired have similar questions regarding their medical insurance and health care. The importance of healthcare coverage increases as you age; getting the best healthcare insurance package is necessary before you plan your retirement.

Planning Retirement for 2022

A large number of people like you are actively looking for the best options to choose from and that is where our role comes in. We can assist you in choosing the most appropriate health care option by simplifying medicare and retirement plans in 2022 to help you in making informed decisions within your budget.

How to Find Out Which Option is Best For You?

Finding the most suitable option for your healthcare needs within your budget can be challenging. You need to take into consideration that each option has its pros and cons. Our team at Southern Maine Retirement Services simplify various coverage options and explain them in detail. Our objective is to make sure you understand each option in-depth and there aren’t any questions unanswered.

How Can We Make a Difference?

At SMRS, we care for our clients by providing them personalized guidance, making sure they get the best medical insurance options. We take pride in going the extra mile to assist and inform people in stressful times near their retirement. Our team listens to your requirements and understands your situation in detail. That is why even if we cannot offer the medicare plan that makes the most sense for you, we make sure you have the tools and the resources to choose it for yourself.

Connect With Us

Our experienced team is here to assist you through your retirement journey in 2022 in the best way possible. If you still have any questions please feel free to give us a toll-free call at (866) 866-4340 or drop us a mail at sonya@smaineretirement.com. We are looking forward to serving you!

Filed Under: Medicare Eligibility, Personalized Guidance

We Care: Personalized Guidance

December 6, 2021 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

Retirement can be a worrisome transition in your life. Getting the right guidance can ease up a lot of issues and can also prevent miscalculated decisions. If you are planning to retire early due to health reasons and do not qualify for Medicare then you would want to explore various medical insurance options. Trust us, you are not alone, over 10,000 adults are turning 65 every day and most of them are concerned about their health insurance.

We Care: Personalized Guidance

As a local, family-owned agency located in southern Maine, our goal is to help people by providing them with personalized guidance. We highly care for our clients as we make sure they get the top medical insurance options. Furthermore, we take pride in going the extra mile to help and educate people in these stressful times before the age of 65.

Our Personalized Guidance for Best Decision

The toughest part is to decide which insurance option is best for you and aligns with your requirements and budget. That’s where we jump in and help you decide the best medical insurance option for you through our personalized guidance.

Before anyone guides you, you must list down all your current and forthcoming health needs along with a tentative budget that you can afford. Once you are done with that, leave the rest to us. We will not only help you figure out the best option but will also save a lot of your hard-earned money.

Our support won’t be limited to choosing the most appropriate medical insurance option but we will also guide you in transitioning to medicare once you have turned 65.

Reach Out to us for More

You must be having a lot of questions about your health insurance that went unanswered above. Feel free to connect with our team who will help you out in the best way possible. Your welfare is our utmost priority. Looking forward to connecting with you.

 

Contact Us at:

Toll-Free: 1-(866) 866-4340
Email: sonya@smaineretirement.com

Filed Under: Medicare Eligibility, Personalized Guidance

Medicare Eligibility

October 7, 2021 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

The age at which you decide to retire depends on your finances, health and career aspirations among other things. While everyone may not retire at the same age, Medicare recognizes 65 as the age when you become eligible for Medicare enrollment. This means that your retirement age has a significant impact on your Medicare eligibility.

Research Your Options

As you approach the retirement age, you need to start exploring your Medicare options. You must be aware of the healthcare options available to you from both Medicare and your employer before you make your decision to retire at 65 or wait.

Medicare Decisions can be Tough

Medicare is a difficult topic with a lot of paperwork involved especially if you are wading through the journey on your own. At Southern Maine Retirement Services, we have made it our mission to assist Medicare beneficiaries through their retirement journey, and make the whole process as smooth as possible for them. Our highly professional and experienced team is always here to help Medicare beneficiaries with their retirement plans and have all their questions answered.

Sometimes it’s hard to even know when you’re supposed to apply for a plan! Well, we’ve got you covered.

Open Enrollment Period

For the state of Maine, the enrollment period is officially open between October 15th through to December 7th. Since the enrollment window is short it is always our busiest time of year here at Southern Maine Retirement Services with most people applying for Medicare during this period.

You can also apply for Medicare at other times as well. This is usually three months before you turn 65 years old and three months after. It is extremely important that you keep track of these time frames and be fully prepared to apply when the enrollment window opens.

Let SMRS Help You!

Our amazing staff at Southern Maine Retirement Services has over fifteen years of experience working with Medicare insurance policies, and knows the industry inside out. We would have you prepared for your Medicare Eligibility and enrollment well before time so that when the enrollment opens you are good to go. Partner with us, and let our experienced team take care of your Medicare needs!

Filed Under: Medicare Eligibility

Collaborate with Us to Ensure a Smooth Retirement

August 18, 2021 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

We’ll Work with You!

For you to have a comfortable and secure retirement process, you need to plan ahead. Choosing a Medicare plan that suits your needs can be a jarring experience, and is certainly one that requires a lot of paperwork. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the red tape involved. Luckily, Southern Maine Retirement Services and our team of highly professional and experienced agents is here to assist you.

We Will Find the Right Insurance Plan for You

Finding the perfect Medicare plan demands absolute attention to detail. From your health needs to your budget limitations, everything needs to be factored in to ensure you truly are getting the best Medicare available. With over 15 years of Medicare experience, our team is well-versed with all the plans and policy matters, and will help you secure an ideal healthcare plan. It’s a major part of the retirement process that everyone will undergo; let us assist you!

Medicare is Important to Us

Our founders, Mark and Sonya Allen, established Southern Maine Retirement Service to save people from the same ordeal they had to go through when Mark was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis. Cofounder and current owner Sonya Allen, along with her husband struggled to find the right Medicare plan that addressed their needs. They made mistakes during the process which cost them financially, and they decided they did not want others to wade through the same arduous journey of Medicare paperwork.

Mark sadly lost his battle in 2017, but Sonya and their daughter-in-law Brittany still remain committed to their vision of helping people find the right plan for their budget and needs.

SMRS is Accessible

As our name suggests, we are based out of southern Maine and are a family-owned organization. When you call us, you are not calling into a huge national call center. We know our community well, and are here to provide you all the guidance you need in order for you to have the best Medicare.

Having the right Medicare plan, and knowing exactly what it does for you, will make your retirement process all the more smooth and worry-free.

Let’s Embark on Your Retirement Journey Together!

The transition to retirement can be pretty hectic, but we are here to guide you at every step of the way. Contact Southern Maine Retirement Services to secure the best Medicare plan tailored to your needs. We can not wait to collaborate with you to ensure your smooth retirement.

Filed Under: Our Story

Stay Active and Positive this Summer

June 18, 2021 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

Our Favorite Positive, Healthy Activities for Warm Weather!

As the weather warms up, most people are excited to get outside and soak up the sun! But after COVID-19, many people are continuing to choose not to travel this summer.

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sunshine and stay active while remaining close to home. Here is a list of fun and relaxing warm weather activities from us here at Southern Maine Retirement Services to inspire your summer staycation.

Spend Time Outdoors

Sunlight is vital to brain health and the immune system, not to mention a natural defense against depression and anxiety. If you suffer from sun sensitivity, there are still lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors, including:

Enjoy a morning or evening walk or jog — you’ll get your vitamin D and maybe catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset.

Hike in a wooded area where there is natural shade. Bring some binoculars and take up bird-watching or a camera to capture the natural beauty of your surroundings.

If you don’t have a garden, plant one. Gardening is a great way to stay active and spend time outdoors. Tending a garden is a natural form of exercise and provides the satisfaction of creating something beautiful.

Head to the Beach

For anyone with heat sensitivity, swimming, boating, or gentle kayaking are great ways to enjoy the beautiful Maine outdoors and stay cool. There are lots of games and activities to do on the beach or shoreside, including yoga, tai chi, frisbee, or even simply walking along the beach. Just make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.

Travel the World by Cooking

That trip to Europe may be on hold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some international flair at home. Create a culinary “theme night” by preparing food from other parts of the world. Look for healthy, authentic recipes online and shop for fresh produce at a local market. If you are a wine connoisseur, you can look for appropriate pairings for your meal.

Take Up a Hobby or Craft

It’s never too late to learn something new. Consider woodworking, pottery, or outdoor (plein-air) painting during the warmer months. Working on a craft or hobby is an opportunity for creative expression without judgment.

Crafting is also proven to improve motor skills, concentration, and confidence. And you may surprise yourself with a hidden talent and new passion!

Explore Maine

Explore your town or city like a tourist. Are there places in Maine you’ve always wanted to visit but not gotten around to? Our state is full of hidden gems. Visit a Portland museum, join a guided walking tour, or visit a botanical garden in Boothbay. If you live in one of the more rural areas, go for a scenic drive and bring a picnic. Think about creative ways to actively explore while being mindful of social distancing, if necessary.

 

We hope this list inspired you to stay active and positive this summer! Southern Maine Retirement Services wants you to make the most of your well-deserved retirement years. Call us today at (866) 886-4340 to learn more about our products and services.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

How Medicare Affects Retirement

March 4, 2021 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

Your Retirement Age Matters for Medicare. We’ll Help You Understand How.

The age at which you choose to retire depends on many factors, both personal and professional. Whether it is finances, health or your career goals and accomplishments that impact your retirement decisions, every person is going to reach the decision differently. 

While everyone may not retire at exactly the same age, Medicare recognizes 65 as the ‘retirement age’ as that is when you become eligible for Medicare enrollment.  Whether you retire before or after 65 does, in fact, impact Medicare enrollment. 

Retiring Before 65: Carefully Consider Coverage Options

If you opt to retire before 65, Medicare will generally not be available to you until the three months before you do turn 65. Certain exceptions exist, including disabilities that have qualified you for SSDI payments in the past. Before retiring prior to the Medicare eligibility age, it is important to consider your existing healthcare coverage and how retirement may affect it.

Retiring at 65: Start Researching Your Options Early

You should receive your Medicare enrollment information as early as several months before your 65th birthday. If you are planning to retire at 65 you should become familiar with the various plans available to you well before you turn 65. There are many different options, and they may or may not complement any coverage you will retain from your employer after retirement in a way that fits your needs. Knowing what your healthcare coverage options are from both Medicare and your employer may impact your decision to retire at 65 or to wait. 

Retiring After 65: A Common Occurrence

Medicare starts at 65, but Social Security doesn’t fully kick in until you turn 66. This gap often means that people will choose to work until they are at least 66. As long as you have credible coverage through your employer you will not face penalties from Medicare if you decline to enroll. However, be aware of enrollment deadlines and any penalties that exist if you are waiting to enroll. 

Employer Coverage After Retirement

In general, if you retain employer coverage after retirement it will be the second payor, with Medicare as the first. However, as outlined on Medicare.gov, there are four important things to research about employer coverage after retirement. First, is it available? Second, what is the cost and coverage? Third, what happens to your retirement coverage if you are eligible for Medicare but not enrolled? And, fourth, how does your retirement plan work with Medicare? These are all important questions and may have complex answers. While your employer’s insurance policy booklet may provide some information, it can quickly get overwhelming. 

There is a lot to consider and to research as you move toward retirement. We at Southern Maine Retirement Services are here to help you make the best decisions about Medicare coverage for you and your family. Contact us today to discuss your retirement plans and Medicare needs.

Filed Under: Tips

Sonya and Brittany Receive Awards from Anthem!

March 2, 2021 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

Two Awards Each for SMRS’s Outstanding Providers

On Thursday, February 25th, Southern Maine Retirement Services’s very own Sonya Allen and Brittany Rand received two awards apiece from Anthem insurance. This is adding four more prestigious awards to the organization’s name.

Awards table

Sonya received Top Medicare Sales Annual Enrollment Period 2021 at the platinum level, along with Top Medicare Supplement Sales 2020 at the gold level. Brittany was awarded Top Medicare Sales Annual Enrollment 2021 at the gold level, and Top Medicare Supplement Sales 2020 at the silver level.

We’re beyond proud of these achievements, which serve as proof that Southern Maine Retirement Services remains a step above the rest for personally guiding others along the path to Medicare insurance. For professional, award-winning Medicare consultation, please contact Southern Maine Retirement Services today!

Filed Under: Awards, News

Your Trusted Medicare Insurance Agents

February 17, 2021 by SMRS Team Leave a Comment

We Can Be a Helping Hand through Confusing Times

Medicare is a challenging and complex concept to take on by yourself. There are seemingly endless amounts of wordy paperwork and plans to choose from, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Luckily, Southern Maine Retirement Services and our team of highly qualified, trustworthy agents is here to help you.

We’re Not Just Agents. We’re People.

Our amazing staff has over fifteen years of experience working with Medicare insurance policies. We can get down to the nitty-gritty of it and tailor our service to meet your unique needs. When you partner with us, we are partners for life, and will be with you every step of the way.

Providing the Service We Wished We’d Had

The founders of Southern Maine Retirement Services, Mark and Sonya Allen, created the company in order to aid people going through a similar situation that they’d found themselves in. At only 28 years old, Mark was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis and was forced into disability. Read more about our story here.

It takes a great amount of sympathy and empathy to take one’s struggles and use them to help out others in comparable situations. Though Mark sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2017, Sonya and their daughter-in-law Brittany continue to run Southern Maine Retirement Services with the same passion and energy that it was founded upon.

Let’s Get Through This Together

Ready to start on your Medicare journey with our trusted professionals? Contact Southern Maine Retirement Services today! We can’t wait to work with you and ease the burden on your shoulders.

Filed Under: Our Story

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I struggled on my own to get answers to my health insurance questions and then received a promotional letter from Southern Maine Retirements Services. Best thing I ever did was contact them. Brittany made the process seamless; her knowledge and experience helped to expedite all the required forms/documents. I’m a happy camper and I wholeheartedly recommend them

— Dee Q.

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866-886-4340

Copyright © 2022 Southern Maine Retirement Services | Developed by Anania Bailey