Sams/Hockaday & Associates

04/08/2026

"For many people approaching retirement, few things feel as uncomfortable as the idea of meeting with an insurance broker. Even the thought of scheduling the appointment can trigger hesitation. You may wonder whether you’ll be pressured to make a decision, talked into something you don’t fully understand, or expected to know far more about Medicare than you actually do.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Feeling intimidated by this type of meeting is incredibly common — especially for individuals turning 65 or navigating Medicare for the first time. That intimidation doesn’t mean you’re unprepared. More often, it means you understand how important the decision really is.

Medicare isn’t just another form to fill out. It affects your healthcare access, your finances, and your long-term peace of mind. It makes sense to approach it carefully."

Read the full article here: https://www.samshockaday.com/blog/what-to-expect-when-you-meet-with-an-insurance-broker

04/01/2026

"Each year, many Central Illinois retirees tidy up closets, organize paperwork, and get their homes back in order for spring. But there’s another part of your life that deserves a little spring cleaning too: Your Medicare plan.

Even if you are comfortable with your current coverage, an annual review helps avoid unexpected costs, understand any new changes, and ensure your plan still fits your health and budget needs. Medicare isn’t something to “set and forget.” Your health, prescriptions, or budget may shift — and plans can change too.

We have spent over four decades helping local families walk through these decisions step‑by‑step so they can feel confident instead of overwhelmed. Here’s a simple and practical guide to reviewing your Medicare coverage with your agent each spring."

Read the full article here: https://www.samshockaday.com/blog/spring-cleaning-your-medicare-plan-annual-review-tips

03/25/2026

"As retirement planners, we get to look at the whole picture. We like to keep up on industry trends for our clients, as they navigate preparing for and receiving the best options in retirement. We recently managed a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) for a client and thought we should share what we learned.

For many retirees in Decatur and surrounding communities, Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) can feel like one more thing to keep track of in retirement. After years of saving in your IRA or 401k, the IRS eventually requires you to start taking money out—and those withdrawals are counted as taxable income.

However, there is a powerful tool that can help meet your RMD requirement and potentially lower your taxable income at the same time: the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)."

Read the full article on our website (we dropped the direct link in the comments for you ⬇️)!

03/18/2026

"Many look forward to that magical 65th birthday—retirement, more time to spend with family, travel, hobbies, volunteering, Medicare Enrollment... Wait—Medicare Enrollment?

No one looks forward to enrolling in Medicare. They look forward to being enrolled in Medicare. Correction: They look forward to being enrolled in Medicare correctly—without penalties, gaps in coverage, or that lingering worry, “Did I mess this up?”

Take James, a Sams/Hockaday & Associates client. He and his wife, Lori, made an appointment at our office as new clients. He was retiring within a few months, after many years of service to a large Decatur company. He had been 65 since August and had not received his Medicare card, been notified of creditable coverage from his employer to remove any Part B and D penalties (don’t worry we’ll explain), and was unsure of how much he would be collecting from SSA (Social Security Administration) and/or should be drawing from his 401k, IRA’s, and other savings.

Spoiler alert: It all worked out because he met with a licensed agent ahead of his retirement date."

Read the full article here: https://www.samshockaday.com/blog/preparing-to-retire-and-why-an-agent-matters

03/11/2026

Turning 65 should feel like a smooth transition into a new, more peaceful chapter of life. But for many Central Illinois residents, it often starts with something far less pleasant:

A mailbox stuffed with Medicare mailers.
Commercials that contradict each other.
Friends who insist their plan is “the right one.”
And the creeping worry: “What if I mess this up?”

Here’s the good news: You don’t need to figure this out alone — and you certainly don’t need to navigate it by sifting through sales pitches.

For more than 40 years, Sams/Hockaday & Associates has helped Decatur and surrounding communities understand Medicare clearly, avoid costly mistakes, and gain long-term confidence.

Read the full article (link in comments ⬇️) for a guide to help you start your turning‑65 journey the right way.

03/04/2026

"Scams targeting seniors are becoming more sophisticated. With the rise of AI and other technologies, it’s harder to tell what is legitimate and what is dangerous.

What might seem like a harmless email from a friend, a video call from a loved one, or a text from your bank could actually be a scammer trying to steal your information and money."

Read the full article by clicking the link in the comments! ⬇️

02/18/2026

"Do you prefer going to a local pharmacy in the Decatur area like Colee’s, Dale’s, or Sav More?

Make sure your Medicare Part D drug plan is compatible so you can minimize your out-of-pocket prescription costs."

Read the full article by clicking the link in the comments below ⬇️.

02/13/2026

And it's probably time to talk to us about life insurance!

02/11/2026

In 2026, there will be 12 Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans available for all Illinois applicants. These plans are named by letter – Plans A, B, C, D, F, high-deductible F, G, high-deductible G, K, L, M, and N.

We represent over two dozen companies that offer these supplemental plans in Illinois for 2026. There are nationally-recognized companies you’ve probably heard of, like Mutual of Omaha or Aetna, as well as some lesser-known names, such as Woodmen Life or ACE.

We have a lot of choices to sift through and Medicare plans are notoriously complicated. So, we’re breaking it down to bring you what you really need to know about Illinois Medicare Supplement plans in 2026.

Ready the full article on our website (we dropped the link in the comments for you)! ⬇️

01/15/2026

Those born in 1961 are officially reaching Medicare age in 2026—and that includes plenty of famous faces.

We’ve rounded up a list of athletes, actors, and pop culture icons who will soon be Medicare-eligible, much like some of you.

We've come up with a list of athletes, actors, and pop culture icons born in 1960, which means that, much like some of you, these celebrities will become eligible for Medicare in 2025!

01/07/2026

I am very grateful for Michael and Taryn. First Michael helped me understand the world of Medicare and get better insurance for my mom. He made the process simple and easy for my mom. Taryn has gone above and beyond to answer my questions. I would highly recommend Sams/Hockaday & Associates to anyone who needs help with Medicare.

12/30/2025

Medicare’s approach to weight-loss drugs is starting to change.

While these medications still aren’t usually covered just for weight loss, new agreements under the Trump administration are expected to expand coverage beginning in 2026.

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy have been gaining quite a bit of attention lately. However, they’re expensive, and Medicare doesn’t fully cover them—at least, not yet.