Happy Grandfather Holding Granddaughter While Smiling Outdoors
September 10, 2026
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Written By:
Brian Goldman
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Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser

September 2026 Newsletter

Every September, we celebrate Labor Day and the autumnal equinox. By the end of the month, summer will be behind us and we’ll officially embrace a brand new season. Get ready for this special time of year by learning about Life Insurance Awareness Month, the facts about Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, safety tips for visiting parks and playgrounds this autumn, how to make a 15-minute pasta dish that’s perfect for the season, some fascinating historical facts about September, and much more.

Did You Know That September Is Life Insurance Awareness Month?

Each September, the insurance industry comes together to recognize Life Insurance Awareness Month – a time dedicated to helping people better understand the value and benefits of life insurance. Life insurance can serve many purposes. It can help pay off debts and final expenses, create a financial legacy, help fund education, provide support for a loved one with special needs, and offer a cash value component that may be used as an investment tool. It may also help increase borrowing capacity or provide an additional source of retirement income. Overall, life insurance is an easy and cost-effective way to gain peace of mind. If you don’t currently have coverage, September is a great time to take action. Give me a call or send me an e-mail to discuss your needs. I can help you find the right protection to fit your goals and budget!

SOURCES: LIMRA and Life Happens

 

Is Your Current Medicare Plan Still Your Best Option? Find Out During Medicare’s Aep!

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is happening soon, so now is the ideal time to start thinking about your healthcare needs for the year ahead. It’ll be your once-a-year chance to make changes to your Medicare coverage, including switching plans, enrolling in new options, or adjusting your current benefits. The AEP window runs from October 15 to December 7 only, so be sure to schedule your annual review by giving me a call or responding to this e-mail. Even if you are happy with the plan you have now, it’s still a good idea to check in with me to compare options. You may be able to save money or find a plan that fits your needs even better. Don’t wait – set up your review now and get ready to be confident in your coverage for the year ahead!

SOURCE: Medicare.gov

 

How Can You Stay Safe While Visiting Parks And Playgrounds This Fall?

Autumn can be a great season to visit a park or playground because it’s free of the intense heat of summer. Plus, in many areas, you can enjoy observing the vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves associated with the new season. If you plan to visit a park on your own or a playground with your grandchildren or other little ones, here are some reminders from the experts at Harvard Medical School to make sure you stay safe. First, wear proper footwear, such as sneakers with deep (not flat) treads or hiking boots. Next, keep an eye out for uneven terrain because that could increase your fall risk. Red-flag areas include the spots where two types of terrain meet, such as a parking lot and a mulchy playground. Also, use caution if you have to use a public restroom while you’re there. They’re notorious for poor lighting and slippery floors. So, bring your phone with you in case you have to call for assistance. You can also use your phone’s flashlight to see more clearly. If you have to cross a wet floor, walk slowly, with your feet pointed slightly outward for more stability. Observing these reminders will help you have a fun fall outing … without falling!

SOURCE: Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School

 

What Are Three Major Reasons To Get Long-Term Care Coverage?

Long-term care involves a variety of services designed to meet a person’s health or personal care needs when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own. It is one of the biggest threats to your retirement savings, so it’s important to understand the reasons why securing Long-Term Care Coverage makes sense. Three key reasons to choose this type of coverage are financial protection, maintaining independence, and providing peace of mind for both you and your family. It can help safeguard retirement savings from being depleted by rising care costs, allow you to remain in your home or preferred environment for as long as possible, and take away the burden on family members who might otherwise provide care. You can’t rely on Medicare alone to do any of this, so the safety net of this coverage can be vital.

If you want to learn more about Long-Term Care Coverage, I’m here to help. Call me anytime.

SOURCES: National Institute on Aging and CBS News

 

Good Taste, Good Health

15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta

Are You Looking For A Yummy Recipe That’s Perfect For A Cozy September Night?
Look No Further Than This 15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta.

This simple, delicious cherry tomato pasta is perfect for September because it highlights late-season cherry tomatoes. Whether you still have cherry tomatoes in your garden or you’re just prolonging the season as long as you can with store-bought, this 15-minute recipe will more than satisfy. By the time the pasta is finished cooking, the tomatoes will have softened and split, and their sweet-tart juices will have combined to make a light pasta sauce.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound of pasta (your choice)
  • ½ cup of extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3 pints of cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup of fresh basil, coarsely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon of freshly-ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon of kosher salt
  • a pinch of sugar
  • freshly-grated Parmesan (for serving)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Cook one pound of pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until it is al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving the pasta water, and transfer to a large bowl.
  2. Meanwhile, warm a half cup of extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet or wide heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add two large garlic cloves that have been finely chopped.
  3. Add three pints of cherry tomatoes, a half teaspoon of freshly-ground black pepper, a pinch of sugar, and a half teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes burst and release their juices, six to eight minutes.
  4. Toss the cooked pasta with the cherry tomato sauce. If needed, thin the sauce with a little reserved pasta water.
  5. Toss in one cup of coarsely-chopped fresh basil and top with freshly-grated Parmesan. Makes four to six servings. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water before storing.
SOURCE: Epicurious

 

Did You Know This About September?

September 2, 1789 – The third Presidential cabinet department, the U.S. Treasury, was established by Congress.

September 3, 1833 – The New York Sun newspaper first appeared, marking the beginning of the “penny press,” inexpensive newspapers sold on sidewalks. The paper focused on human interest stories and sensationalism. It became the largest seller in America, with a circulation of 30,000, within three years.

September 8, 1883 – The Northern Pacific Railroad across America was completed.

September 29, 1789 – Congress created the U.S. Army, consisting of 1,000 enlisted men and officers.

September 30, 1955 – Actor James Dean was killed in a car crash in California at age 24. Although he made only three major films, his work remains influential in America.

SOURCE: The History Place

SEPTEMBER CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Lily Tomlin (September 1), Keanu Reeves (September 2), Beyonce Knowles (September 4), Adam Sandler (September 9), Gwyneth Paltrow (September 27)

SOURCE: Holiday Insights

 

Want To Brush Up On Your Financial Vocabulary? Check Out This Month’s Senior Financial Glossary.

BANKRUPTCY is a legal process for relieving debt that a borrower is not able to repay. It’s a measure of last resort that typically requires liquidating assets or entering a repayment plan. Bankruptcy is one of several forms of debt relief, along with avenues like debt settlement and credit counseling.

EARNEST MONEY is a deposit paid by a buyer to a seller to demonstrate a good-faith intention to make a purchase, such as for a new home. These deposits can be anywhere from one to ten percent of the sales price, depending mostly on market interest. The buyer risks losing this deposit if they back out of the sale; however, there are some contingencies that allow money to be refunded.

TRUSTEES manage and distribute assets in a trust to beneficiaries, according to the trust creator’s wishes. Trustees can be individuals, independent business entities, or financial institutions. They have a duty to act in the best interests of the trust’s beneficiaries and are responsible for maintaining clear communication.

SOURCE: Investopedia

 

Will You Be Inspired? Quote of the Month

“The best time to buy life insurance was yesterday. The second best time is now.”

Adapted from a traditional proverb, author unknown

Can You Solve the Puzzle?

The objective of Sudoku is to fill the grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine subgrids that compose the grid (also called boxes, blocks, or regions) contain all of the digits from one to nine.

sudoku puzzle
View Last Month’s answers
Brian Goldman
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser
412-897-0760[email protected]
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