https://www.insuroot.org/Plain-English guides to life insurance, annuities, retirement, taxes and estate planning, from a licensed agent with a sense of humor.en-us https://www.insuroot.org/articles/aca-open-enrollment-2027-subsidieshttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/aca-open-enrollment-2027-subsidiesThu, 29 Oct 2026 13:02:34 GMTTaxesACA Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 on HealthCare.gov, and the enhanced subsidies are gone. Here's the 400% cliff, the new full-repayment rule, the noncitizen changes, and why auto-renewal deserves a second look. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/leaving-medicare-advantage-medigap-2026https://www.insuroot.org/articles/leaving-medicare-advantage-medigap-2026Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:03:17 GMTRetirementDropping Medicare Advantage by Dec. 7 is the easy part. Getting a Medigap policy afterward is where the fine print bites, so here's who has guaranteed rights, how the 12-month trial right works, and why Part D deserves a calendar reminder. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/hsa-vs-fsa-2026https://www.insuroot.org/articles/hsa-vs-fsa-2026Tue, 27 Oct 2026 13:18:14 GMTTaxesHSA and FSA share three letters and almost none of the same rules. Here’s the 2026 IRS numbers, who each tends to fit, and the traps that show up after open enrollment closes. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/medicare-annual-notice-of-change-2027https://www.insuroot.org/articles/medicare-annual-notice-of-change-2027Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:52:40 GMTRetirementYour Medicare plan's Annual Notice of Change spells out what's different in 2027. Here's what to check, the new Part D numbers, and the dates that matter before Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/death-taxes-and-rachel-reeves-a-love-storyhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/death-taxes-and-rachel-reeves-a-love-storyThu, 12 Jun 2025 00:58:47 GMTMoney NewsWell, well, well. Rachel Reeves has managed to do what Benjamin Franklin couldn't quite nail down centuries ago: she's made death and taxes exponentially more certain—and expensive. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/blue-cross-blue-shield-michigan-announces-employee-buyouts-amid-soaring-healthcare-costs-insurance-industry-news-2025https://www.insuroot.org/articles/blue-cross-blue-shield-michigan-announces-employee-buyouts-amid-soaring-healthcare-costs-insurance-industry-news-2025Tue, 21 Jan 2025 14:33:13 GMTMoney NewsWell, well, well... looks like Michigan's healthcare heavyweight is feeling a bit bloated. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/los-angeles-battles-most-destructive-fires-in-citys-historyhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/los-angeles-battles-most-destructive-fires-in-citys-historyThu, 09 Jan 2025 16:48:53 GMTMoney NewsOur hearts go out to all those affected by these devastating fires. The loss of life, homes, and community landmarks has created an unprecedented tragedy for Los Angeles residents. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/26-financial-terms-explained-your-no-nonsense-guide-to-money-mattershttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/26-financial-terms-explained-your-no-nonsense-guide-to-money-mattersWed, 08 Jan 2025 15:28:50 GMTTaxesLet's face it: financial jargon can make your head spin faster than your money disappears on payday. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/the-ultimate-guide-to-not-blowing-your-inheritance-combining-annuities-and-spendthrift-trusts-like-a-financial-ninjahttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/the-ultimate-guide-to-not-blowing-your-inheritance-combining-annuities-and-spendthrift-trusts-like-a-financial-ninjaWed, 08 Jan 2025 15:03:03 GMTRetirementLet's face it – money has a peculiar habit of vanishing faster than your motivation at a Monday morning meeting. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/annuities-your-financial-security-blanket-without-the-moth-holeshttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/annuities-your-financial-security-blanket-without-the-moth-holesTue, 07 Jan 2025 03:03:17 GMTRetirementLet's face it: planning for retirement is about as fun as watching paint dry while filing your taxes. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/life-insurance-options-for-service-members-the-full-scoophttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/life-insurance-options-for-service-members-the-full-scoopTue, 07 Jan 2025 02:37:19 GMTLife InsuranceAh, life insurance – everyone's favorite dinner table topic! https://www.insuroot.org/articles/ponte-las-pilas-life-insurance-and-living-benefits-in-the-hispanic-communityhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/ponte-las-pilas-life-insurance-and-living-benefits-in-the-hispanic-communitySat, 04 Jan 2025 05:21:04 GMTLife Insurance¡Qué hubo pues, mi gente! Let's have a real talk about something nobody wants to discuss but everyone needs to hear: life insurance in our comunidad. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/pro-athletes-and-life-insurance-because-sports-cars-dont-count-as-retirement-planshttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/pro-athletes-and-life-insurance-because-sports-cars-dont-count-as-retirement-plansTue, 24 Dec 2024 23:51:50 GMTLife InsuranceLet's face it – when you're making it rain on the field, court, or whatever surface your particular sport happens on, retirement planning probably feels about as exciting as watching paint dry in slow motion. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/the-dark-side-of-sweet-deals-how-paypals-honey-is-secretly-stinging-everyonehttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/the-dark-side-of-sweet-deals-how-paypals-honey-is-secretly-stinging-everyoneTue, 24 Dec 2024 17:02:32 GMTMoney NewsRemember when every YouTuber and their goldfish was telling you about this amazing browser extension called Honey? The one that supposedly scours the internet for coupon codes like a caffeinated bargain hunter on Black Friday? https://www.insuroot.org/articles/avoid-tax-fraudhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/avoid-tax-fraudFri, 20 Dec 2024 04:50:55 GMTTaxesHow to Make Your Accountant Laugh: A guid to avoid Fraud https://www.insuroot.org/articles/why-your-business-needs-life-insurance-and-no-its-not-what-you-thinkhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/why-your-business-needs-life-insurance-and-no-its-not-what-you-thinkThu, 19 Dec 2024 20:57:26 GMTLife InsuranceEver notice how running a small business feels like being a one-person circus? You're the ringmaster, accountant, HR department, and sometimes even the person who has to unclog the office kitchen sink. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/401ks-and-taxes-its-complicated-but-well-make-it-simplehttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/401ks-and-taxes-its-complicated-but-well-make-it-simpleThu, 19 Dec 2024 03:47:21 GMTRetirement(Nothing says "adulting" like voluntarily giving up money now for the promise of more money later.)… https://www.insuroot.org/articles/how-to-make-the-irs-hate-you-lesshttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/how-to-make-the-irs-hate-you-lessTue, 17 Dec 2024 09:00:00 GMTTaxesLet's face it: nobody wants to be the IRS's arch-nemesis. While you might fantasize about being a tax-dodging superhero, the reality of having the Internal Revenue Service as your personal villain is far less thrilling. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/a-prudent-person-foresees-danger-modern-funeral-costs-amp-church-communitieshttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/a-prudent-person-foresees-danger-modern-funeral-costs-amp-church-communitiesTue, 17 Dec 2024 04:35:43 GMTEstate Planning"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty." (Proverbs 22:3) Turns out Solomon wasn't just talking about spiritual matters - he might have been giving us some solid financial advice too. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/faith-amp-financial-planning-securing-your-familys-future-while-supporting-your-churchhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/faith-amp-financial-planning-securing-your-familys-future-while-supporting-your-churchTue, 17 Dec 2024 04:15:55 GMTEstate PlanningIn a world where the cost of daily bread seems to rise faster than spiritual enlightenment, it's worth considering how to protect both your family's future and support your faith community. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/when-death-do-us-part-meets-debt-do-us-start-a-guide-to-not-inheriting-your-spouses-financial-baggagehttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/when-death-do-us-part-meets-debt-do-us-start-a-guide-to-not-inheriting-your-spouses-financial-baggageMon, 16 Dec 2024 10:00:00 GMTEstate PlanningHere's a cheery question someone recently posed to one of MarketWatch's columnist: "Hey, if my husband kicks the bucket, am I stuck with his mountain of student loans and credit card debt?" (I'm paraphrasing, but the existential dread is accurate). https://www.insuroot.org/articles/tax-deductions-that-sound-fake-but-arent-a-guide-to-uncle-sams-weirdest-write-offshttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/tax-deductions-that-sound-fake-but-arent-a-guide-to-uncle-sams-weirdest-write-offsSun, 15 Dec 2024 09:00:00 GMTTaxesLet's face it – the U.S. tax code reads like it was written by a committee of caffeinated squirrels throwing darts at a dictionary. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/cd-maturing-soon-time-to-rethink-your-next-movehttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/cd-maturing-soon-time-to-rethink-your-next-moveSat, 14 Dec 2024 10:00:00 GMTRetirementIf you opened a certificate of deposit (CD) back in late 2022, 2023, or even 2024, congratulations — you probably scored yourself a pretty sweet interest rate. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/why-you-need-to-name-beneficiaries-unless-you-love-family-dramahttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/why-you-need-to-name-beneficiaries-unless-you-love-family-dramaFri, 13 Dec 2024 13:31:29 GMTEstate PlanningLet's talk about something everyone loves to avoid: death and paperwork. Specifically, what happens to your money when you shuffle off this mortal coil. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/house-gives-its-nod-could-your-social-security-checks-finally-get-a-boosthttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/house-gives-its-nod-could-your-social-security-checks-finally-get-a-boostFri, 13 Dec 2024 12:00:00 GMTMoney NewsWell, look at that — the U.S. House of Representatives has actually managed to pass something that might put a little extra jingle in the pockets of about 2.5 million American retirees this holiday season. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/the-side-hustlers-guide-to-tax-deductions-because-uncle-sam-already-takes-enough-of-your-moneyhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/the-side-hustlers-guide-to-tax-deductions-because-uncle-sam-already-takes-enough-of-your-moneyThu, 12 Dec 2024 20:20:47 GMTTaxesLook, we need to talk about that thing that's even scarier than your dating history: self-employment taxes. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/so-youre-getting-married-lets-talk-about-that-thing-more-awkward-than-your-in-laws-moneyhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/so-youre-getting-married-lets-talk-about-that-thing-more-awkward-than-your-in-laws-moneyThu, 12 Dec 2024 19:35:04 GMTEstate PlanningListen up, lovebirds! Before you waltz down that aisle in blissful ignorance, let's have a chat about the leading cause of post-honeymoon blues: financial secrets. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/uncle-sams-annual-retirement-account-shakedown-your-2024-into-2025-rmd-guidehttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/uncle-sams-annual-retirement-account-shakedown-your-2024-into-2025-rmd-guideThu, 12 Dec 2024 19:04:47 GMTRetirementListen up, reluctant retirees – it's that magical time of year when the IRS comes knocking for their share of your tax-deferred nest egg. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/irs-issues-a-subtle-dont-forget-or-else-reminder-to-retireeshttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/irs-issues-a-subtle-dont-forget-or-else-reminder-to-retireesThu, 12 Dec 2024 13:24:11 GMTMoney NewsSo, you’ve hit that golden age where you’re supposed to be gracefully enjoying your retirement, basking in the sunshine, and eating brunch at 10:30 a.m. daily. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/secure-20-the-401k-rule-changes-thatll-finally-let-you-save-like-you-mean-ithttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/secure-20-the-401k-rule-changes-thatll-finally-let-you-save-like-you-mean-itThu, 12 Dec 2024 03:58:00 GMTRetirementLook, saving for retirement isn’t exactly the kind of thrill ride we dream about when we’re teenagers. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/georgia-funeral-home-scandal-another-arrest-in-decomposing-bodies-casehttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/georgia-funeral-home-scandal-another-arrest-in-decomposing-bodies-caseWed, 11 Dec 2024 10:00:00 GMTMoney News https://www.insuroot.org/articles/work-insurance2025https://www.insuroot.org/articles/work-insurance2025Tue, 10 Dec 2024 22:56:14 GMTLife InsuranceLooking for a way to protect your family that's about as reliable as a chocolate teapot? Welcome to employer-provided life insurance – the "we'll take care of you... until we don't" approach to financial protection. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/long-term-care-riders-the-id-rather-not-live-with-my-kids-option-2025https://www.insuroot.org/articles/long-term-care-riders-the-id-rather-not-live-with-my-kids-option-2025Tue, 10 Dec 2024 22:18:50 GMTLife InsuranceLooking for a way to make sure your retirement doesn't bankrupt your kids? Meet the long-term care rider – the "I'd rather not sell my house to live in a nursing home" addition to your life insurance policy. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/chronic-illness-riders-for-when-life-becomes-a-marathon-not-a-sprint-2025https://www.insuroot.org/articles/chronic-illness-riders-for-when-life-becomes-a-marathon-not-a-sprint-2025Tue, 10 Dec 2024 22:03:10 GMTLife InsuranceLooking for a way to make your life insurance useful during an extended health crisis? Meet the chronic illness rider – the "this isn't a sprint to the finish line" cousin of critical and terminal illness riders. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/terminal-illness-riders-because-the-last-thing-you-need-is-money-stress-2025https://www.insuroot.org/articles/terminal-illness-riders-because-the-last-thing-you-need-is-money-stress-2025Tue, 10 Dec 2024 21:46:23 GMTLife InsuranceLooking for a way to access your life insurance benefits when you need them most? Meet the terminal illness rider – the "let's make this slightly less awful" feature of your life insurance policy. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/critical-illness-rider2025https://www.insuroot.org/articles/critical-illness-rider2025Tue, 10 Dec 2024 21:28:24 GMTLife InsuranceLooking for a way to make your life insurance useful before you're dead? Meet the critical illness rider – the "thanks for not dying, here's some cash" option of the insurance world. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/whole-life-insurance-2025-guidehttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/whole-life-insurance-2025-guideTue, 10 Dec 2024 16:33:24 GMTLife InsuranceLooking for life insurance that's more committed than your gym membership? Welcome to whole life insurance – the "marriage material" of the insurance world. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/what-is-term-2025https://www.insuroot.org/articles/what-is-term-2025Mon, 09 Dec 2024 20:35:36 GMTLife InsuranceLooking for life insurance that doesn't require a lifelong commitment? Welcome to term life insurance – the "let's see where this goes" of the insurance world. Here's everything you need to know about this commitment-phobic coverage option. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/life-insurance-says-nohttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/life-insurance-says-noTue, 03 Dec 2024 02:26:00 GMTLife Insurance https://www.insuroot.org/articles/ways-your-life-insurance-claim-can-be-denied-and-how-to-not-let-that-happenhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/ways-your-life-insurance-claim-can-be-denied-and-how-to-not-let-that-happenMon, 02 Dec 2024 02:25:09 GMTLife InsuranceYour policy has fine print. Your family deserves fewer surprises. Learn common reasons for denials and what to do next. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/the-ultimate-guide-to-nontaxable-income-12-examples-that-keep-uncle-sam-at-bayhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/the-ultimate-guide-to-nontaxable-income-12-examples-that-keep-uncle-sam-at-bayMon, 02 Dec 2024 01:37:37 GMTTaxesTired of the IRS taking a bite out of your hard-earned cash? Good news! There are ways to earn, inherit, or save money without leaving a crumb for Uncle Sam. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/notandre3000-rebelo1https://www.insuroot.org/articles/notandre3000-rebelo1Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:53:37 GMTMoney News https://www.insuroot.org/articles/12-savvy-ways-to-beat-estate-taxes-wealthy-people-approvedhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/12-savvy-ways-to-beat-estate-taxes-wealthy-people-approvedSun, 24 Nov 2024 15:41:30 GMTEstate Planning https://www.insuroot.org/articles/not-tyson-verses-jakepaulhttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/not-tyson-verses-jakepaulSat, 23 Nov 2024 13:16:43 GMTLife InsuranceListen up, financial adventurers! Today we're diving into the wild world of life insurance - where adulting meets paperwork and your future self might actually thank you. https://www.insuroot.org/articles/are-life-insurance-proceeds-taxablehttps://www.insuroot.org/articles/are-life-insurance-proceeds-taxableThu, 21 Nov 2024 23:59:34 GMTLife InsuranceAre Life Insurance Proceeds Taxable? Life insurance provides financial protection for your loved ones after you're gone. Many people wonder about the tax implications of life insurance proceeds.