Health Insurance Will Your Former Employer Cut Back On Benefits

The AARP Bullletin newsletter for July August 2008 had an interesting short article on a growing benefits problem for retirees. They talk about companies that had committed to providing health insurance benefits for their retirees. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) passed a regulation that permits companies to cut back on health insurance benefits when the former employee becomes eligible for Medicare at age 65. For many retirees Medicare plans are not equal to the benefits through their former employers plans. Understand that although employers have been given the right to modify plans not every employer will do so. However the economic pressure will continue to encourage employers to do so. Make your voice heard to your current and your former employers.

We all need to be planning to take care of ourselves for retirement income, retirement planning, health insurance and Long Term Care needs. The trend for companies to cut back on health benefits and pensions continues. I can help with planning and implementing your financial strategy.

www.columbusfinancialplanningpros.com

VA LTC Benefits VA Aid and Attendance Program

Under certain circumstance long term care coverage is provided
without cost to those of our veterans or their spouses who qualify.

Called the Aid and Attendance benefit, this program is an under-utilized
benefit that can provides upwards of $2o thousand per year to help
a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran pay for long term health
care costs including home health care, assisted living or even nursing
home expenses. The benefit is paid regardless of the need for care,
provided the veteran or spouse is older than the age of 65. There are
income and asset restrictions that apply so not all veterans are eligible.
Even if they do qualify a suppleemental LTC policy may make sense.

There are millions of veterans who served during WWII, the Korean
War, the Vietnam War, or the first Gulf War who fall into the category
of needing help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL). There is
no requirement that the veteran actually served in the war zone. It is
just required that they served in the US military during the time of the
conflict. I have two brothers one served in Vietam and the other did his
duty stationed in the US. Both of them may be eligible for coverage if
qualifying conditions are met. Neither has a military related disability
but they may qualify because they served during a period of war,
served a total of 90 days of active duty and received an honorable or
general discharge.

Neither Medicaid nor Medicare will provide a private nurse for home
care. The Aid and Attendance benefit may be available to help pay the
cost. This benefit may provide enough extra income to allow them to
pay for care while avoiding Medicaid spend-down. Reimbursement for
care does not require that care is to be provided by a licensed
professional. It may be provided by a friend or family. For more
information on the VA Aid and Attendance benefit visit you local VA
office, your veterans organization or go online,

www.vaaidandattendance.com
http://www.vaaidandattendance.com

We would be happy to help

www.columbusfinancialplanningpros.com