Spectrum Retirement Solutions LLC

08/28/2026

Retiring soon? 🎯 Preparing for retirement involves more than picking your last day of work. From creating an income strategy to making decisions about Social Security and Medicare, planning ahead can help you better understand your options.

Your pre-retirement checklist:

✅ Review your investment risk
✅ Build a retirement income strategy
✅ Review old 401(k) accounts
✅ Decide when to claim Social Security
✅ Plan for required minimum distributions (RMDs)
✅ Get ready for Medicare
✅ Compare your Medicare coverage options

Retirement brings several financial decisions together at once. Reviewing these areas before you leave the workforce gives you more time to make informed choices based on your needs and circumstances.

Ready to walk through your checklist? Let's schedule time to build your retirement plan!
(636) 625- 3433

08/24/2026

📬 Keep an eye on your mailbox this September! If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan, you should be receiving your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter by September 30th. This letter explains what's changing with your plan starting January 1st; things like your premium, deductible, drug coverage, which doctors or pharmacies are in network, and how benefit coverage is changing.

It's easy to set this letter aside, but taking a few minutes to read through it can save you from surprises come the new year. And if something in your ANOC catches your attention, remember that Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15th through December 7th, giving you time to compare plans and make a change if you need to.

If you have questions about what your ANOC means for you, we're always happy to help walk through it with us and discuss plan options starting October 1. Send us a message or give us a call!
(636) 625- 3433

08/21/2026

Back to School, Back to the Basics 🎒📚

As families get back into the school-year routine, it’s a great time to remember that some of the most important lessons happen outside the classroom.

One of those lessons? Paying yourself first.

Between school supplies, activities, tuition, and everything else that comes with a new school year, it can be easy to put retirement savings on the back burner. But even small, consistent contributions today can help build a stronger financial future tomorrow.

This Financial Friday, take a few minutes to check in on your retirement plan:

✔️ Are you contributing consistently?
✔️ Is your investment strategy still aligned with your goals?
✔️ Have your financial priorities changed?

The best time to start planning for the future is today, no homework required. 😉

Spectrum Retirement Solutions is here to help you make sense of your retirement strategy and stay on track.

(636) 625- 3433

08/17/2026

Wondering if Medicare covers hearing aids?

Here's what most people don't learn until they're at the checkout counter: Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does NOT cover hearing aids or the exams to fit them. That's been the rule since 1965.

But you're not out of options. Here's where to look:

✅ Medicare Advantage plans — many include a hearing benefit with an allowance toward aids (check the plan details, they vary a lot)

✅ Over-the-counter hearing aids — available without a prescription for mild to moderate loss, often starting around a couple hundred dollars

✅ Medicaid — may cover aids if you're dual-eligible (varies by state)

✅ VA benefits — often cover hearing aids for qualifying veterans

✅ HSA/FSA dollars — pay for aids with pre-tax money

There are a few important hearing support options that Medicare DOES cover: doctor-ordered diagnostic hearing exams, one audiologist visit a year, and surgically implanted devices like cochlear implants, when medically necessary.

One myth to clarify: Medigap doesn't cover hearing aids either, since it only fills gaps in what Original Medicare already pays for.

❓Questions about which path fits your hearing and your budget? Reach out any time - we're happy to help.

(636) 625- 3433

08/14/2026

Health care is one of the biggest financial surprises in retirement. Not travel. Not hobbies. Health care.

Medicare helps starting at 65, but it doesn't cover everything. Premiums, deductibles, copays, prescriptions, dental, vision, and hearing aids can all add up.

If you're retiring at 65 or later, Medicare beneficiaries spend about $4,000 a year out of pocket, not counting premiums. That number climbs past $6,000 a year once you reach 85, as health care needs increase.

If you're retiring before 65, budget for a lot more. Without employer coverage, many early retirees turn to the ACA Marketplace, a spouse's plan, or a private policy. A reasonable planning range is:

- $8,000 to $10,000 a year for an individual
- $18,000 to $25,000 a year for a couple

That's before deductibles, copays, and prescriptions, which can add another $2,000 to $5,000 per person each year.

At any retirement age, don't overlook long-term care. Medicare generally covers only short-term skilled nursing after a hospital stay. It doesn't pay for ongoing help with things like bathing, dressing, or eating. Those costs can run from $20k - $100k per year.

A few ways to prepare now:

- Build savings in an HSA if you have a qualified high-deductible plan.

- Look into long-term care insurance before health issues develop, when premiums tend to be lower.

- Consider critical illness coverage, which pays a lump sum after a covered diagnosis and can be used however you need it.

Whether you're retiring at 55, 62, 65, or later, health care costs are one of the few expenses that almost always go up. If you'd like help planning for retirement health costs, we're happy to answer your questions.

(636) 625- 3433

08/11/2026

🚨 PROTECT YOUR MEDICARE BENEFITS! 🚨

Never give your Medicare number over the phone to someone you don’t know. Medicare scams are getting more sophisticated, and too many beneficiaries are being taken advantage of.

Here’s the truth:
• Telemarketers can’t just "add benefits." All Medicare plans are federally regulated.
• You are already in the database. Don’t fall for calls claiming you're "missing" from the system.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Working with a local, trusted professional ensures you get real updates on local plan changes and honest guidance on extra programs you may actually qualify for (like food or utility assistance).

Need a trusted Medicare partner in the St. Louis area?

Call Joe, our licensed Medicare advisor, at 636-625-3433.
Schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to get clear, honest answers about your Medicare options.

08/11/2026

08/10/2026

With so much information online, you might wonder: do I really need an insurance agent? 🤷 Here's the thing, a licensed agent brings something no search engine can: personalized guidance based on YOUR life, your health, your budget, and your goals. We take the time to compare options across multiple carriers so you're not stuck guessing which plan is actually the best fit.

And it doesn't stop once your policy is in place! If you ever need to file a claim, having someone in your corner who understands the process makes a stressful situation so much easier. Plus, life changes; new jobs, growing families, moves, retirement, and we're here to revisit your coverage along the way so it keeps up with you.

If you're wondering whether your current coverage still fits your life, let's talk.

(636) 625- 3433

08/07/2026

Happy from Spectrum Retirement Solutions!

Markets continue to remind us that short-term movements are a normal part of investing. While headlines can create uncertainty, staying focused on your long-term financial goals is often the most important strategy.

A few things we're watching:
📈 Inflation has generally moderated compared to its recent peaks, though it remains an important factor for consumers and businesses.
🏦 Interest rates continue to influence borrowing costs, savings, and investment decisions.
💼 Corporate earnings and economic data remain key drivers of market sentiment.

Rather than reacting to every market swing, successful retirement planning is built on preparation, diversification, and maintaining a strategy that aligns with your goals.

Whether you're approaching retirement or already enjoying it, now is a great time to review your financial plan and make sure it's still working for you.

Have questions about your retirement strategy? Spectrum Retirement Solutions is here to help.

(636) 625- 3433

08/04/2026

Medicare 101 at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant; St. Peters!