Friday, 3 September 2010 What is Long Term Care Insurance?
 Will my health insurance cover my long term care expenses? Will my disability insurance cover these expenses? What in the world is long term care insurance? Take a look at this article and call us if you would like further information. – Melissa Levin
Contrary to popular opinion, long term care insurance is not health insurance or even disability insurance. Instead it covers the expenses of long term care services, such as those you’d receive from home health care professionals or in a skilled nursing facility.
Long term care includes both the medical and personal care you need when you are no longer able to care for yourself. This may be due to age or mental incapacity, but it can also be the result of an injury or disability.
Click Here for complete article.
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Thursday, 2 September 2010 Health-Insurance Changes for 2011
 I found the following article to be of interest. As many of you know there are changes that coming to health insurance and health care. I am a very big proponent of HSA’s and this article validates our beliefs that in many cases they are a great way to reduce premium cost as well as overall medical expenses for the employees. This article states that 61% of the employers surveyed said they are going to offer HSA type of plans. If you have any questions about how HSA’s can work for you please do not hesitate to call me. - Greg Levin
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Wednesday, 1 September 2010 Market Provides Unwelcome Chill to Summer
 As the month of August comes to a close, the only certainty is that the market’s direction appears quite uncertain. The S&P 500 Index, a proxy for the market, has posted negative returns in three of the last four months, concluding with a drop of 4% in August. The economic backdrop has softened and the recession to recovery momentum has decelerated—or even in some areas reversed. After the S&P 500 Index peaked at a recovery high of 1217 in April, the market is now within shouting distance of the standard bear market definition of a 20% decline. Indeed, the warm summer months of 2010 have experienced a severe market chill.
Because of the heightened uncertainty over the short term, I believe that the prudent strategy is to be somewhat defensive until the economic conditions stabilize and clarity improves. While there is the chance for the market to reverse its multi-month retreat at any time, the more likely scenario is a continuation of decelerating economic conditions, a flat-to-downward pressured market, and pessimistic investor sentiment. As a result, remaining cautious over the short term is the likely best course of action. (continue reading…)
Wednesday, 1 September 2010 Why do I need Life Insurance?
Do you have dependent children? Are they protected if you or your spouse should pass away? Sometimes people wonder why they need life insurance. This article is a short but sweet article which gives you the reasons why life insurance is so important. – Melissa Levin
No one wants to leave their family unprepared for the future. Planning today can protect the promise of your family’s tomorrow. Following are some of the reasons why you should consider life insurance from Gerber Life.
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Monday, 23 August 2010 Push is on to publicize health insurance tax credit for businesses
Many small businesses are eligible for a tax credit. Many business owners are unaware that they qualify. Companies with 25 or fewere employees and whose average salaries are less than $50k are eligible for a tax credit of up to 35% of the emplyer contribtuion. That means nearly 8 out 10 small businesses qualify.
To see if you qualify please consult with your CPA.
I look forward to providing you with more information on this and other provisions of the health care bill in the coming weeks and months. As always we appreciate your confidence and trust in us. – Greg Levin
It’s money for the taking – but will there be any takers? Not if nobody knows about it. While most provisions of the federal health care overhaul will take years to roll out, tax credits for small businesses providing health insurance to their workers take effect this year. But insurance agents and health care advocates say many business owners remain unaware of the benefit. With public opinion polls offering a mixed bag of support for the new health law, backers have been trying to spread the word – part of a strategy to counteract continued criticism from some of the country’s largest business groups.
CLICK HERE for complete article.
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Thursday, 19 August 2010 Dan Romero to Appear On “Critical Mass” Radio Show
 Daniel Romero, CFP®, AIF®, CFS is scheduled for a Radio Appearance on Wednesday, August 25th at 4pm on the show, “ Critical Mass“. This show is hosted by Ric Franzi and Doug Gfeller and focuses on Orange County business owners, executives, entrepreneurs and experts to discuss their ideas and insights to help everyone make better, more informed decisions. Topics will include common mistakes people make in financial planning, unresolved challenges to our firm and the business in general, and other related items. Be sure to put the appearance in your calendar, share with your friends and associates, and listen live! Here is a link to the website radio station:
Thursday, 12 August 2010 How to Be a “Super Saver”
Encouraging people to save what they need can be one of the biggest challenges for individuals looking to retire. This is an interesting story where a couple decided they were going to save 50% of their income… and 21 years later had more than $2million for retirement. I’d guess 50% might be more than most Americans could afford to turn on, but it is important to determine an amount that will allow you to achieve your goals and dreams… – Dan Romero
(CBS) Everyone knows someone who seems to save more than they spend. But what about people who are putting away more than half of every dollar they make? In this month’s Money magazine, senior writer Donna Rosato shares secrets of so-called “super savers,” and what they have in common. According to her report, super savers delay gratification, have no impulse buys, have an absolute avoidance of debt, automate their savings, and are flexible.
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Thursday, 12 August 2010 Opponents keep hope alive to kill health reform law
As I have previously said, the health care bill has many provisions that my be challenged or repealed. The advise I give my clients is to stay the course with what we are doing now. We will adjust and implement changes as they become law and as necessary.It is very hard to predict what provisions will take effect in the years to come. Changes to the majorities in both house of congress will have a major impact on the course of events. This article is interesting. I will keep you posted! – Greg Levin
 By Joseph Weber - The Washington Times
Even as some of the first pieces of President Obama’s health care reform legislation take effect, Republicans in Congress and conservative activist groups are still working to repeal or at least rewrite major sections of the legislation.
Rep. Steve King, Iowa Republican, is circulating a petition that would force an up-or-down vote in the House of Representatives on repealing the vast bulk of the estimated $940 billion, 10-year legislation the Democratic-controlled Congress passed this spring.
CLICK HERE for complete article.
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Tuesday, 10 August 2010 Long-Term Care — An Impending Crisis for the Elderly
 Could you imagine as you get older the following: 1) You lose your independence
2) You have experienced a loss of good health
3) You use up your remaining assets and income
These items above can mental destroy a person and they often go into deep depressions due to this. Please read this article and plan ahead… – Melissa Levin
The Need for Long Term Care Planning
by Thomas Day
If we were to ask an older person what his or her most important concerns are we would probably get a variety of different answers. But according to surveys frequently conducted among the elderly, the most likely answers we would receive would include the following three principal concerns…
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Monday, 9 August 2010 DOL finally issues rules on 401(k) fee disclosure
Fee disclosure has been a hot item of conversation for 401(k) plans for the past couple years. After much delay, it appears that July 2011 will be the time fiduciaries learn the truth with what they are paying… unless of course they’ve been with an open architecture, daily valuation plan with Romero & Levin. In those case, they would already know… – Dan Romero
Advisers will need to review service agreements, disclose potential conflicts of interest; fiduciary or not?
The Labor Department today issued much anticipated fee disclosure rules for providers of services to employee pension benefit plans. According to the department, “the new rules are aimed at assisting plan sponsors in assessing the reasonableness of contracts or arrangements, including the reasonableness of the service providers’ compensation and potential conflicts of interest.”
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