Still Clickin

We have all lived long enough to remember many historic events. My first was the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I remember standing by a shrub at the side of our house when I heard my Mother shout, “Oh no!” There have been many events since, VE-Day, VJ-Day, etc., when you remember what happened and exactly where you were and what you were doing at the time you heard.

This morning, I was sitting at the counter sipping coffee when for the first time in the history of our nation a black man was sworn in as our nation’s president. Looking at the throngs assembled and listening to the interviews on the Mall, the one common trait you detected was an immense sense of pride. America was standing tall. It was once again demonstrating that freedom was possible.

Traveling overseas, you repeatedly encounter very different cultures. . .The manager of our London Office believed his six year-old daughter’s life was over because she wasn’t admitted to a certain school. The Chinese people in Kuala Lumpur recognize that they must limit their access and aspirations. The Shiites in Bahrain realize that only the lower paying jobs are available to them.

Once, I was verbally assaulted by a potential client who observed that the stark repression in their country was no different than America’s was to its black people. They were just more forthright about it. I was stung by the truth in his statement, and I knew that my counter arguments lacked conviction.

Today, that changed. Today is a very historic day. Today, two hundred and thirty-three years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America has proved once again that freedom can ring out. This time for a black man.

Racial prejudice still does exist. As a nation, we still have a lot more work to do. But for race relations in this country, this is HUGE! I truly believe that people now will consciously shift their vision from the color of a person’s skin to the look in a person’s eye. Once we get that shift firmly in place, we can relegate racial issues to a footnote.

There is an excitement in this land today, because Americans realize they effected this change themselves. They are standing proudly together and enjoying this moment of history. Personally, I feel quite proud that, during the past seven decades of my life - especially during the past three - my country has managed to achieve this amazing progress. I feel privileged that I have lived to witness it.

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If you are turning 65 this year, and you haven’t yet joined the “Social Security Club”, then this is your year to enroll. The questions that you will encounter in this process are presented below with a few typical answers.

1. When do I qualify for full retirement benefits?
   People who turn 65 during 2009 will not qualify for full retirement benefits until they reach age 66. You can choose to start benefits earlier, but you will pay a hefty penalty for that choice. You can assess your retirement benefits using the BEST calculator for Social Security Benefits.
2. Why should I enroll this year if I don’t qualify for full retirement benefits until next year?
   Although those born 1944 do not qualify for full retirement benefits until they reach age 66 during 2010, Medicare benefits still begin at age 65.
3. Do I need to register for Medicare if I am still covered by my company’s health plan?
   You need to check with your company’s health plan. Their plan may revert to a Medicare supplement when you turn 65.
4. When, during this year, should I enroll with the Social Security Administration?
   Typically, you should sign up for Medicare about three months before you turn age 65. This allows time for your records to be fully activated prior to your birth date.
5. Medicare has different plans, A, B, C and D. What is the difference?
   These letters represent the different parts or plans in Medicare.
   • Part A is Hospital Insurance that the government pays.
   • Part B is Medical Insurance for visits to doctors that you must pay monthly to be enrolled.
   • Part C is the HMO/PPO type of non-government private plan, called “Medicare Advantage”, that you must pay for monthly.
   • Part D is the prescription drug insurance for which you must pay monthly.
6. What is the difference between traditional Medicare, the new Medicare Advantage Plans, and the Medigap plans?
   • The traditional Medicare plan is a government program whose benefit amounts are set by the government program. Physicians accepting Medicare patients are also agreeing to accept the Medicare benefit amounts as their payment. Seniors can choose their own doctors and hospitals with traditional Medicare.
   • Medicare Advantage works either like an HMO, where you use assigned doctors and hospitals, or a PPO, where you select from a list of pre-approved doctors and hospitals. Although subsidized by government payments, these are private plans that set their own rules.
   • Today, most seniors still select the traditional Medicare program. Some will supplement that with a private Medigap policy which provides coverage for the few things that Medicare doesn’t cover. The coverage provided by these policies is strictly formalized by Medicare, i.e. F-level coverage from two different companies must provide identical benefits.
7. What is this November 15th - December 31st enrollment period that I hear about?
   Each year, people enrolled in the Part D (Drug) program may change to another plan or provider without penalty. It is called the Free Enrollment Period.
8. If I do nothing, what happens?
   Obviously, you will receive no benefits. In addition, if you change your mind and decide to enroll later, you may be assessed some penalties. The website of the Social Security Administration offers a number of other answers about Medicare.

NB. Click below to make a comment. Or, if you would prefer to make an enhancement to the original article, please go to wikiSenior and click on edit.