Senior couple with cat and dog happy outside
January 6, 2023
 | 
Written By:
Brian Goldman
 - 
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser

January 2023 Newsletter

With the year 2023 finally here, here's to hoping you've taken some time to set, and achieve, new goals for your life and health. Plus, please review this newsletter, featuring articles about seniors living alone, mail order prescriptions, and more. Remember I'm always available with solutions to help make your life and retirement more secure. Have a great New Year and happy 2023!

More Seniors Living Alone

Living alone is becoming increasingly common for seniors in the U.S.

The New York Times recently reported that almost 26 million people 50 or older currently live by themselves. That's up from 15 million in the year 2000.

"Baby boomers" are among those most likely to live alone, the newspaper says. But living alone can be more than a lifestyle.

Being alone has been found to contribute to health issues, including blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, weakened immune systems, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and even death. (National Institute on Aging).

Ways to combat senior isolation and loneliness can include joining the local senior center, taking classes at a local college or university. And spending more "in person" time with friends.

Seniors are more likely to live alone in the U.S. than in other countries.
(Pew Research)

Reminder of Medicare premium change of 2023

There's a change in Medicare Part B premiums this year, a welcome one.

Standard Medicare premiums for Part B beneficiaries are $164.90 a month in 2023, That's down $5.20 from the $170.10 monthly charge in 2022. (The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)

The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $226 in 2023, a decrease of $7.

Stay Healthy in January and Beyond

January is National Staying Healthy Month (National Today).

After the festivities in December, this month encourages people to focus on health, wellbeing and self-care.

The goal of National Staying Healthy Month is to help people create healthy habits that last. (The Children's Home Society of California).

January is also Glaucoma Awareness Month

Good Taste, Good Health

Healthy Ground Beef Cabbage Stir Fry

Healthy Ground Beef Cabbage Stir Fry

Here's a healthy and delicious stir fry. It's easy to make.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 cups red or green cabbage
  • 1 red pepper chopped thinly
  • 2 scallions, thinly chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 tbsp tamari sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp chopped parsley or cilantro
  • 220g (8 oz) ground beef
  • 1 carrot, cut in strips
  • 2 tsp crushed red pepper

DIRECTIONS: Add ground beef to a nonstick pan with one garlic clove and some oil. After a minute, stir, breaking the pieces apart. Let the beef sauté for about 5-6 minutes at med-high heat. Chop your vegetables — cabbage, carrots, peppers, and the parsley (or cilantro) and scallions.

Stir in the chopped cabbage, crushed pepper, carrot, another minced clove of garlic and scallions. Cover for about 2-3 minutes to allow vegetables to cook.

Stir in the chopped pepper, the last clove of garlic, and the tamari sauce. Add a little bit of oil if needed and stir for 2-3 minutes. Turn the heat off and stir in the chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve immediately.

Source: Her Highness, Hungry Me

Mail Order Prescription Drugs

Do you spend too much time going to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions?

If you are like many of us, you do.

But Medicare Part D has a solution: mail-order pharmacy.

You can order up to three months of your prescription drugs at a time ant they'll be delivered right to your house!

As a Medicare beneficiary, you can utilize this service if your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan contracts with a mail-order prescription provider.

The easy way to get mail-order drugs is to order them online or over the phone. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about Medicares mail-order pharmacy program.

Senior Financial Glossary

Unstated interest paid is the amount of money the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assumes was paid to the seller of an item that has been sold on an installment basis.

An unsolicited bid is an offer made by someone to purchase a company that is not actively seeking a buyer.

An unusual item is a non-recurring or one-time gain or loss that is not considered part of normal business operations.

An unlawful loan is a loan that fails to comply with any provision of lending laws.

SOURCE: Investopedia Dictionary

Did you know this about January?

  • January 7, 1782, the first commercial bank in the U.S. opened in Philadelphia.
  • January 13, 1990, Douglas Wilder, of Virginia, became the first African-American governor in the U.S.
  • January 17, 1945, Warsaw Poland was liberated by Russian Troops (in World War 2).
  • January 20, 1981, Ronald Reagan, age 69, became the oldest president to take office.

Famous Birthdays: Bradley Cooper (January 5), Mary Jane Blige (11), Regina King (15), John Hancock (23)

SOURCE: Famous Birthdays

"Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress."
- Charles Kettering

Here's hoping 2023 is the best year ever for you and those close to you!

Brian Goldman
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser
412-897-0760brian.goldman@successfs.com