Group Services NW

10/24/2017

The IRS has announced that it will reject any 2018 electronically filed Income Tax Return that does not have the required information on whether the filers(s) have the proper health insurance or proof why they are exempt from the individual mandate. This will subject many more people to the IRS tax penalty of up to $695 per individual, $2,085 per family, or 2.5% of Adjusted Gross Income, whichever is greater. Paper filers will also have their returns held up, delaying any possible tax refunds. This is just another reminder that the ACA is still the law, the government needs money, and ignoring the law is foolish indeed.

10/04/2017

How Drug Rebates Hurt You! It turns out that those coupons the drug manufacturers give you to reduce the cost of their blockbuster drug may actually be increasing your costs in the long run. In a report in the "Wall Street Journal" September 21 by Charly Grant, it was shown that rebates by these drug companies work to control the market so that cheaper generics and other alternatives do not get an opportunity to adequately compete. Here is how it works: Company A has Drug B which it charges a high price but then rebates to the distributors a large percentage such that their ultimate cost is quite bit less. The issue comes in when there is a generic or bio similar option that is much less than their blockbuster drug; Company A then threatens to withhold rebates on all their drugs, not just drug B. The distributors crumble and you insurance buying public end up paying higher premiums. Pfizer is now suing J & J over their anti-competitive behavior regarding Remicade vs. Pfizer's cheaper Inflectra. More as it happens.

10/02/2017

Improve Your Health and the Health of others easily: get together and have a good time! Yes, it turns out that your health is adversely affected by social isolation, loneliness, and living alone. More and more studies are showing that chronic loneliness has a direct link with the risk of early death. According to a 2010 study of 44 million adults age 45 and older by AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), 35% said they were chronically lonely. In a study submitted to the Dept of Health and Human Services, entitled: "Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms", in 2013 the authors state that loneliness not only affected our health with increased risk of heart disease and higher mortality, but also mental health, cognitive functioning, the ability to sleep well, and a greater risk from addictive behaviors and obesity.

So do yourself a favor: hang out with friends at a place where everyone knows your name. Indulge in the lost art of conversation. Don't have friends? Lots of people out there are in the same boat; strike up a conversation and see where it leads.

09/29/2017

It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped. ~Tony Robbins

09/28/2017

Check out our newest blog...THE IDEAL QUALITIES OF A FINANCIAL PRODUCT

09/27/2017

Those darn Yellow Jackets...here is a great article that you should check out from Multicare.

This has been an unusually popular season for yellow jackets, and their stings can be a very serious medical situation for some people. Dr. Bret Lambert of the Emergency Department at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital answers common questions about stings, and offers advice for treatment.

09/26/2017

In life there are no guarantees… protect your family with life insurance.
Call us at 253-752-9400 to schedule your complementary life insurance review.

09/25/2017

Nicolas Virgen - Still Watching Over Them

Nicolas, a self-employed painter, had life insurance for himself but was reluctant to buy a policy for his stay-at-home wife, Teresa. But his insurance agent was persuasive and convinced him to cover her too. When a terrible car accident killed Teresa and left Nicolas badly injured, the money from her policy is what paid the bills and kept the family in their home until Nicolas could return to work.

Nicolas, a self-employed painter, had life insurance for himself but was reluctant to buy a policy for his stay-at-home wife, Teresa. But his insurance agent...

09/22/2017

Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.
~A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

09/21/2017

Check out our newest blog...TOP TEN QUESTIONS ON RETIREMENT DAY