Category: Life and Health

Many people purchase life insurance, but fail in the critical step of properly selecting their beneficiaries.  This article provides useful information on designating beneficiaries.

You are free to name just about anyone as your beneficiary.  For most people it’s usually a close family member.  However, you can choose any competent person or even an entity, such as a charity.

Beneficiary designations can be made by naming specific people or entities; or they can be made by class, for example, “my children.” Use full names to avoid confusion.  You can be more specific by referring to birth dates or social security numbers.  Designating classes can be more challenging.  For instance, the designation “my children” may lead to controversy over whether stepchildren are included.  Be specific with class designations.

You can name multiple beneficiaries to receive equal or unequal shares.  For multiple beneficiaries, use percentages or some other method of division not based upon actual dollar amounts.  For example, you can specify division “in equal shares.”  Dollar amounts often become outdated due to policy loans or changing cash values.

You can also choose a trust as beneficiary.  This can be useful in benefiting minors or disabled persons. Your primary beneficiary will always receive policy proceeds first.  If this is a person, he or she must be alive when you die.  If that named beneficiary is deceased, the policy proceeds go to your contingent beneficiary.

Therefore, it is important to name a contingent beneficiary.  If you and your primary beneficiary pass away at the same time, your primary beneficiary is presumed to have died first.  As a result, if there were no contingency plan, you wouldn’t have a named beneficiary.  The policy proceeds would go to your estate.  Having a named beneficiary avoids having your life insurance benefits pass through your estate.  This can save potential estate taxes as well as probate costs.

Sometimes naming a minor as a beneficiary is a bad idea.  Insurance companies normally won’t make payments to them.  Instead, consider a trust for the minor’s benefit.   Also, most states have passed some form of the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA).  Under UTMA, through a proper designation, you can transfer your life insurance proceeds to a custodian for the benefit of minor beneficiaries.

Be sure to review your beneficiary designations on a regular basis and, if necessary, make the necessary revisions due to marriages, divorces, births, and deaths.

It is important to focus on two main goals in choosing beneficiaries:  make sure your designations fulfill your goals, and avoid needless legal controversies.  Consult your financial planner for more information.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11.5 percent of the U.S. adult population—or about 26.5 million—had diagnosed heart disease in 2011, the most recent year for which numbers are available. It kills about 600,000 people in the U.S. every year—making it the leading cause of death for both men and women. While heart disease comes in several variations, coronary artery disease is the most common, killing more than 385,000 annually.

Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high HDL cholesterol, smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity and excessive weight—and they tend to be interconnected. Consider these simple ways to mitigate your risks and reduce your chances of becoming the victim of our nation’s number one killer.

• Get active. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly 70 percent of Americans don’t get the daily physical activity they need to stay healthy. In the fight against heart disease, any activity is better than being sedentary. If you find it impossible to get 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, squeeze in what you can. Not only will you burn more calories, but you’ll also reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol, high blood sugar and high blood pressure problems.

• Manage stress. Some studies have linked high levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by your body in times of stress, to heart disease. While a little bit of stress can be good for you—warning you of danger, for example—chronic stress can devastate. Exercise is one way to manage it. Physically active people report experiencing less stress as well as having more energy, an improvement in mood and a healthier outlook on life.

• Adopt good nutrition. Heart-healthy foods are low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. They’re also low in sodium and added sugars. They are high in whole grain fibers, lean proteins and produce. For optimal health, keep sodium under 1,500 mg a day, include at least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables, avoid sugar sweetened beverages, eat fish twice a week, and choose fat free or low fat dairy products.
• Lower your blood pressure. According to the AHA, high blood pressure, or hypertension, is the most significant risk factor for heart disease. Unfortunately, 90 percent of Americans will develop hypertension in their lifetime. Keep your blood pressure below 120/80 by eating a healthy diet, reducing stress, increasing physical activity and avoiding tobacco smoke.

• Maintain a healthy body weight. According to the CDC, more than 66 percent of American adults are overweight or obese. Not only does this increase their chances of developing heart disease, but also diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Keep tabs on your body mass index (BMI), an estimate of body fat based on height and weight. If yours is higher than 25, you’re in the overweight category. If it’s over 30, you’re obese. Take steps to lose a few pounds. Better nutrition will help, as will increasing your calories burned through exercise. Even losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight has impressive health benefits.

• Don’t smoke. Smoking damages your circulatory system, not only increasing your risk of coronary heart disease but also aneurysms, blood clots and hardened arteries. If you’re a smoker, quit as soon as possible. If you’re not a smoker, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. According to the American Cancer Society, scientists have linked secondhand smoke to lung cancer, throat cancer and cancers of the brain, bladder, stomach and breast.

While you should try to incorporate each of these key steps for a healthy heart into your life, you don’t have to tackle them all at once. According to the AHA, making positive changes in even one area can make a significant difference. Choose one to begin and add the rest over time for the most dramatic results.

While refractive errors—also known as near-sightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism—are the most frequent eye issues seen in the United States, other conditions—including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration are much more dangerous. Many of these disorders can cause vision loss and eventual blindness if left untreated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1.8 million Americans over the age of 40 are affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They expect that number to grow to 2.95 million by 2020. The disease is the leading cause of permanent vision impairment in people over the age of 65. While there is no cure, treatments including laser therapy and anti-angiogenic drug injections may slow the progression of the condition.

The number of people with diabetic retinopathy is equally staggering. This condition is the leading cause of blindness among Americans between the ages of 20 and 74. The CDC estimates 4.1 million people in the U.S. are affected by retinopathy. This disease is also incurable. Though you can reduce your risks of developing it by controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure, early diagnosis is necessary to prevent vision loss. Unfortunately, according to the CDC, half of all diabetic retinopathy patients discover they have the condition too late for treatment to be effective.

For this reason, an annual eye exam—including dilation—is the number one step you should take to protect your vision. Not only is this the best way to find out if your vision can be improved by glasses or contacts, but it’s the only way for an eye care professional to ascertain if you have the early signs of any of the eye-related diseases previously mentioned.

Additional steps you can take to improve your chances of enjoying excellent vision throughout your life include:

• Explore your family’s eye health history. Some eye diseases and conditions—including glaucoma, which affects more than 2 million Americans according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, are hereditary.
• Practice good nutrition. Several studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E are essential for good vision and may even help to prevent age-related vision problems including cataracts and macular degeneration. Good sources of these nutrients include leafy greens (spinach, kale, collards), oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), citrus (oranges, grapefruit), and non-meat sources of protein (eggs, nuts, beans).
• Maintain a healthy weight. Reducing your consumption of processed sugars and carbs will help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid becoming insulin resistance—which means you’ll be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.
• If you’re a smoker, stop. Smoking increases your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. It can also cause optic nerve damage.
• Wear sunglasses. Much like smoke, too much UV from the sun can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration. Look for lenses that block at least 99 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. While some contact lenses include a modicum of UV protection, sunglasses are still a good idea to increase coverage.
• Use protective eyewear. Whether you’re playing sports, mowing the lawn or work in an environment where eye injury is common, protective eyewear will help you prevent vision loss due to traumatic injury of the eye.

An insurance plan is a great way to save on your family’s annual eye care needs. While the Affordable Care Act requires compliant medical insurance plans to cover pediatric vision services, anyone over the age of 19 will need a supplemental vision insurance program. Talk to your insurance broker about options to suit any budget.

 

 

 

Did you know at least 2 million people become infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria in the U.S. each year? It’s true—and even worse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 23,000 die due to these infections. The CDC recently deemed the threat antibiotic resistant bacteria pose to society as urgent, serious and concerning.

What are Bacteria?

Bacteria are tiny organisms that are too small to see with the naked eye. While many of them are pathogenic—meaning they cause illnesses such as pneumonia, strep throat and meningitis—not all bacteria are harmful. In fact, the human body is naturally home to a multitude of bacteria that help digest food and boost our immune system.

Why do Bacteria Become Resistant?

Unfortunately, when pathogenic bacteria are exposed to antibiotics—in an animal, a human or the naked environment—they begin to change in ways that render the drugs ineffective. For example, some bacteria develop mutations that allow them to neutralize the medicine before it harms them. Every time they outsmart an antibiotic in this way, treatment options become more limited. Because they become harder to kill, they are able to multiply and spread, causing severe infections quickly.

What Causes Most Antibiotic Resistance?

According to the CDC, the misuse of antibiotics—in farm animals as well as humans—is the leading cause of the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Simply using antibiotics creates resistance, and the use of these drugs should be reserved for the treatment of bacterial infections. Antibiotics should not be administered as a preventative measure, nor should they be given when an illness is caused by a viral infection.

What Can I Do to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance?

Unless you’re a farmer, there’s not much you can do to reduce inappropriate antibiotic treatment in cows, pigs and chickens. However, you can do your part to prevent antibiotic resistance by ensuring your family’s use of antibiotics meets CDC guidelines. The key is avoiding the use of antibiotics when you or your child is suffering from an illness caused by a virus rather than bacteria.

You’ll need to rely on over-the-counter remedies for most common colds, sore throats, flu, bronchitis and many sinus or ear infections. Never demand antibiotics when your doctor says they are not needed. According to one study, pediatricians prescribe antibiotics 62 percent of the time if they think you expect them for your child and only 7 percent of the time if they don’t.

What if My Doctor Says I Need Antibiotics?

If your doctor determines you or your child has a bacterial infection that must be treated with antibiotics, follow the directions exactly. Do not skip doses or stop taking the medication before you’ve completed the treatment—even if your symptoms have improved. If you must stop treatment—you have an adverse reaction or need a different medication—dispose of the prescription. Do not save it for the next time a family member becomes ill.

 

Do you want to feel better, sleep better, have more energy and possibly even enjoy a longer life? It’s all possible with regular physical exercise—no matter your age, sex or experience level. Even fitness beginners can reap benefits including weight control, reduced risk of chronic disease and improved mood from as little as 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Of course, to make the most of your time in the gym or on the road in pursuit of those fitness goals, it’s important to avoid these common workout mistakes.

Your only focus is cardio

If your main fitness goal is to lose weight, you may be tempted to pack every exercise session with heart-pumping cardio. However, while running on the treadmill or the elliptical for hours on end will certainly torch calories, it will also stress your bones and joints, potentially leading to injuries. Additionally, cardio rarely encourages the building of muscle. While muscle may increase your body’s weight, it’s essential to efficient calorie burning. The more muscle you have, the more efficiently your body will use the fuel you consume—and this can eventually lead to weight loss.

Your only focus is weightlifting

As mentioned previously, building muscle will help your body use more calories—an important benefit of strength training whether you’re interested in weight loss or weight maintenance. However, bench presses, back squats and presses will do less to improve your cardiovascular fitness than a brisk jog or sweat-inducing bicycle ride. A healthy cardiovascular system has a lower risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Fortunately, you can shorten your weightlifting workout—making room for a cardio session—by lifting heavier weights. Experts recommend using a weight at which you can complete no more than 10 reps with perfect form. One to three sets at that weight will be significantly more beneficial in terms of toning and building muscle than 10 to 12 sets at a lower weight.

You skip workouts when you’re short on time

While a solid hour for exercise will allow you to spend time focusing on cardio and weight training independent of one another, skipping a workout when less time is available is certain to sabotage your fitness goals. High intensity interval training, also known as HIIT, will allow you to combine both cardio and resistance exercises into an equally beneficial 20-minute workout. A simple Google search will yield hundreds of HIIT workouts you can do at the gym or at home. You can also make up your own—just remember to alternate vigorous movements (like running) with less strenuous movements (like dumbbell presses) to allow for short periods of recovery.

You don’t have a plan

A plan is essential if you want to make the most of your workout time, whether you exercise at a gym or in your own home. If you’re not yet doing so, write down each day’s fitness session in advance, noting the type and duration of cardiovascular exercise you intend to complete and your strength-training movements, weights, reps and sets. Get in the habit of planning and you will avoid overtraining and wasting valuable workout time wondering what you should do next.

If you usually start your morning with a mug or two of coffee, you’re not alone. At least 54 percent of U.S. adults over the age of 18 do so as well. And according to a multitude of research studies, you’re all doing something good for your health. From heart disease prevention to improved cognitive function, here are five great reasons to indulge in a cup of Joe.

1. Coffee improves heart health. A recent study in published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that consuming three to five cups of coffee per day could reduce an individual’s risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by as much as 21 percent. The scientists attributed this to coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties and the antioxidants found within it.

2. Coffee reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. According to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, participants who upped their daily coffee intake lowered their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 11 percent. Those who decreased their coffee intake increased their risks by 17 percent. The researchers speculated that the antioxidants in coffee may influence metabolic pathways, specifically glucose metabolism.

3. Coffee improves kidney and liver health. The caffeine in coffee increases urinary flow—thus all those late-morning trips to the bathroom. While this can be moderately inconvenient, it decreases your risk of developing kidney stones. It also balances liver enzyme levels. According to one study, participants who drank three cups of coffee a day were 25 percent less likely to have abnormal liver enzyme levels than were those who abstained.

4. Coffee reduces the risk of some cancers. Both regular and decaf coffees appear to be beneficial in preventing certain cancers. A study published in Breast Cancer Research found that women who drink at least five cups of coffee each day are 57 percent less likely to develop estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer than women who drink a mere cup or less a day. For men, another study found that four or more cups of coffee per day could reduce prostate cancer recurrence or progression by 59 percent.

5. Coffee improves cognitive function. Caffeine may help you feel more focused during the early hours of the day, but coffee consumption can have even greater effects on long-term cognition. Scientists speculate that it prevents the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. These buildups of protein are indicators of Alzheimer’s disease but can be combated by coffee’s free radical-destroying antioxidants. In fact, one study found that adults over the age of 65 who were already experiencing memory problems were able to delay onset of the disease by two to four years, just by drinking three cups of coffee each day.

Open enrollment for health insurance in 2016 begins  again on November 1, 2015.  Now is the time to consider if you are happy with your current coverage — or if the plan you have now still fits your budget.  But, before you switch plans, you will want to ask your insurance agent a few questions so that you purchase the plan that is right for your needs and those of your family.

What is the yearly deductible?

If you are a healthy person and a bit of a gambler with some savings in the bank, it might make sense for you to purchase a plan with an annual deductible of $5000 or even $7,500. If you frequently need treatment, lab work and procedures to manage a medical condition, it will likely be worth the extra expense to purchase a plan that has a lower deductible.

Is there a ceiling for out-of-pocket expenses?

Most insurance companies have a cap on the amount you will spend on out-of-pocket medical expenses each year. Generally, the lower the cost of the policy, the higher the cap will be set. For example, an economical policy might have an annual cap of $10,000, while a higher-end one might set a cap at $2,500. The danger comes when there is no cap at all, as a plan that covers 80 percent of treatment is not insurance at all if a family member has had medical treatment running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What about prescription coverage?

According to Truveris, a research firm that tracks drug pricing, medication prices for brand, generic and specialty drugs combined increased 10.9% in 2014. While a plan may be less expensive in the short-term, the benefits may not be there in the long-run if you develop or have a disease that requires expensive medication.

Does the plan cover health care and emergency treatment when you are traveling overseas?

Some people take for granted that their insurance policy will cover them wherever they go, but this is not always the case. If you travel frequently, it is worth asking whether the policy you are considering will pay for doctor visits and hospital stays in other countries. It is also a good idea to inquire about emergency medical evacuations, as these can be quite costly. If the policy does not include travel, that does not mean it is an inferior policy, just that you will need to purchase travel insurance before leaving the country.

Are you a self-proclaimed gym rat? (Or own a membership and never use it?) Maybe you even have a treadmill or other indoor exercise equipment at home?  If so, you are shortchanging yourself  by limiting all your exercise to the indoors. And if the weight isn’t budging, you might want to consider getting off your treadmill and heading outdoors! Outdoor exercise has benefits you may not have considered.

You’ll get in shape faster

People who exercise outdoors as opposed to riding a stationary bicycle or walking on a treadmill must adjust to subtle changes in the environment that can result in greater physical fitness. Outdoor cyclists, for example, experience wind drag that is impossible to replicate indoors. When you walk, you’ll encounter different terrain that forces you to use different muscles, such as a long downhill slope.

You’ll have lower levels of stress hormones

It is well known that exercise reduces stress, but the mysterious factor is why levels of the stress hormone cortisol are lower after exercise outdoors than when people exercise inside. It may have to do with what renowned biologist Sir J. Arthur Thomson called “the healing power of nature,” noting that mindful contact with the outdoors could positively affect mental and physical health.

You’ll enjoy it more.

After all, you won’t spy a deer or cardinal when you’re walking on the treadmill. Nor will you feel the wind in your face, the pebbles under your feet or have the opportunity to take a photo of the fascinating way the light meanders through the branches above your head. People who exercise outdoors report feeling a greater sense of vitality, enthusiasm and self-esteem, and less depression, tension and fatigue.

You’ll exercise more often

A recent study in the “International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity,” found that people who exercised outdoors consistently clocked more hours of physical activity than those who exercise indoors.  While it’s tempting to watch the clock while on a treadmill, you’re unlikely to do so outdoors. It’s easy to get swept up in the surrounding beauty and lose track of time – all the while getting in better shape.
We’re not saying you should cancel your gym membership or donate the treadmill, because winter weather will eventually return. But until then, the next time you’re getting ready to hop on the treadmill, reconsider and go for a walk outside. The treadmill will still be there when the weather turns cold; in the meantime, you’ll get an extra boost for your mental and physical health.

Many variables affect the price you will pay for life insurance. Your age plays a big role in determining your rate, as the older you are, the fewer years the insurer has to collect premiums from you before making a payout. Your career also has an impact, as employment in a potentially dangerous industry can increase your risk of death (and the insurer’s subsequent requirement to make a payout).

Your personal health is also a factor life insurers consider. Depending on the insurer you’ve chosen and the type of coverage you’re planning to purchase, you may have to undergo a medical exam. Most take about 20 minutes and include the gathering of data on your height, weight, blood pressure, blood, urine and medical history. The healthier the results indicate you are, the lower the premium an insurer will offer.

Unfortunately, there are many mistakes you can make before this exam that can skew the results against you (and your wallet). Consider the following tips to help you avoid blowing these vital tests.

1. Guzzling Caffeine

You might have had an early morning and afternoon of meetings, but multiple cups of coffee or energy shots will elevate your blood pressure and heart rate. If they’re still elevated when you have your exam, you could wind up with a higher premium.

2. Breaking Your Fast

Most blood tests require you to fast for a certain period before your blood is drawn. If you forget to do so, the results may show elevated triglyceride and glucose readings. Both can land you with a higher premium.

3. Working Out

Exercise is good for you, right? Yes, it is—but not strenuous exercise less than 12 hours before your life insurance medical exam. If you work out to aggressively before your urine test, the results may show elevated protein levels. Because this can indicate kidney problems (in someone who didn’t just work out), you’ll find yourself saddled with a higher premium.

4. Dehydration

Not only will dehydration make your blood draw more painful (your veins will be more difficult for the technician to find), it can also negatively skew test results. If you haven’t consumed enough liquids, the concentration of sugar and protein in your urine may be outside the normal range. Again, that means a higher premium.

5. Consuming Alcohol

Numerous studies have shown that alcohol—in moderation—can have health benefits. However, experts recommend avoiding it for at least eight hours before your life insurance medical exam. If you indulge the night before, you may skew test results for liver function and have to pay a higher premium.

6. Eating Salt

Salt before a medical exam can cause multiple problems including dehydration, water weight gain and skewed results for kidney function tests. Avoid salty foods for 24 hours to avoid these issues and the higher life insurance premiums that may otherwise result.

Whether you’d like to review your current life insurance policy or want to check out new options, we’re here to help. Call us today for assistance with all of your insurance needs.

Americans love their water. According to the International Bottled Water Association, U.S. consumers gulped down 10.9 billion gallons of the bottled beverage in 2014. Experts predict bottled water will be the number one selling packaged drink on the market by 2016. Our reasons for drinking water vary—from moving to a lower calorie diet to staying refreshed and hydrated—but most of us have one thing in common: we’re sometimes confused about when, how much and what type of water to drink.

Fiction: You should drink eight glasses of water every day.

Fact: Actually, to stay healthy, you need to consume about eight cups of fluid every day—water or otherwise. Coffee, iced tea and juices count. So do fruits and veggies with high water content such as lettuce, cucumbers, watermelon and grapes. Depending on your diet, you may get enough fluid without drinking a single glass of water.

Fiction: You only need to drink water when you are thirsty.

Fact: When the weather is mild, you might be able to judge your need for water based on thirst alone. But when the temperature rises—or if you’ve been particularly active—you may dehydrate faster than your body realizes. If it’s hot outside or you’re exercising, it’s always a good idea to drink extra fluid.

Fiction: Water helps you lose weight.

Fact: If you consistently replace sugared soft drinks and other caloric beverages with zero calorie water, you may lose weight. Additionally, filling up on water before a meal can help you eat less of whatever is on your plate. However, water does not speed up your metabolism or cause you to burn more calories.

Fiction: Water gives you more energy.

Fact: Water has zero calories, offering nothing for your body to burn as energy. However, dehydration can make you feel sluggish and tired. If you’ve hit a mid-morning or mid-afternoon slump, drinking water to rehydrate may refresh you as a result.

Fiction: Sports drinks are better than water when exercising.

Fact: In most cases, water is actually better for you than a sports drink as they often have unneeded calories, sugar and salt. If you’re working out at a moderate pace for a moderate amount of time, water is all you really need. However, an intense workout—or exercise that lasts more than an hour—may call for a sports drink to help keep your electrolytes balanced.

Fiction: Bottled water is always better than tap water.

Fact: Sure, bottled water can be convenient. Depending on where you live, it may also taste better than your local tap water. However, that does not mean it’s any healthier. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates U.S. tap water and tests it frequently, publically reporting the results. The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water, and does not require manufacturers to tell consumers where it came from or what contaminants it may contain.