BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 11
NOVEMBER 2011
THE BOOMER'S GUIDE TO PLANET
RETIREMENT
DR. MARILYN BRUNO
WWW.GYNOSAPIENS.COM
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 11
NOVEMBER 2011
IN THIS ISSUE: Page 1: Financial Planning
Page 6: Medicare Is Not Socialized Medicine
Page 7: Universal Healthcare is Not Socialized Medicine
Page 8: Flu Season
Page 9: Food Safety; Food Allergies
Page 11: Health Coverage When on Travel
Page 12: 108 Companies Giving Senior Discounts!
Page 16: ReServe - Hiring Retirees at $10/Hour
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"It's like deja vu all over again"
-- Yogi Berra
I don't usually get on a bandwagon, but I hate hearing wrong information repeated over
and over again by politicians and media pundits. So, this month's newsletter is chock
full of my opinions on a variety of subjects. Much of this is dense reading, but fasten
your seat belts!
FINANCIAL PLANNING
When I started out as stock and commodity broker in the early '80s, the banks were still
giving away toasters to anyone opening a "NOW" account, as money markets were not
yet invented. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), annuities, and Ginnie Maes (GNMA
- mortgage-backed securities) had not been invented yet either. I had a few trust
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accounts to manage, but as a "fiduciary" (the "professional manager" of trust and estate
accounts), I was not permitted by law to invest in the stock market, which was
considered too risky by the regulators at the time! Fiduciaries were supposed to
manage the trust assets to protect client, and could only invest in Triple-A-rated
corporate or government-guaranteed bonds (eventually including Ginnie Maes) that
were considered to have almost no risk of loss of principle.
A lot has happened in 30 years. It seems like we took thirty steps forward towards
prosperity and then fifty steps backward, ever since regulations (and oversight and
transparency) went out the window and fiduciaries were permitted to place client money
in investments that carry risk. Certainly, the client did not read all the fine print of his
brokerage or mutual fund application, which inevitably stated that he understands that
he can lose all the money under the fiduciary/money manager's control. We all willingly
put ourselves at risk.
The problem is: we still do willingly put ourselves at risk.
Why? Primarily, because we participate in the social compact that requires that we pay
our taxes and the government -- and the regulators -- protect us. This is the big
problem. Let's recap what really sent things down the tubes:
2005: Christopher Cox, George W. Bush's new appointee as Chief of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), bent to the demands of the 5 major U.S. investment
banks and suspended leverage limits. The banks gleefully started wholesale selling of
mortgage derivatives (concocted pools of mortgages that were supposedly creditworthy) nationally and internationally. They simultaneously bet against their own profits
(hedging their excess exposure) with credit default swaps, which is legal, but the swaps
were underwritten by insurance companies, many of whom (like AIG) also exceeded
prudent leverage limits.
2008: The Regulators realized that they had created risk throughout the financial
system that they had been paid to avoid. When housing prices fell and people were
"under water" with their mortgages (owing more than their houses were worth), every
over-leveraged institution also went under water. Those few institutions and investors
that had remained within the range of prudent financial risk management (e.g., by
investing in government-backed bonds) thought they would be relatively unscathed.
2009: But even U.S. government bonds became flimsy as the size of the national
deficit became public (and downgraded in 2011...), and overseas governments started
teetering on insolvency.
Capitalism is supposed to be an economic system in which the means of production and
distribution are privately owned and managed for profit. But, with the 2008 bailout, the
banks and companies that were considered "too big to fail" received public funds -courtesy of us taxpayers. They were no longer “privately owned”. So, why didn't we,
who provided the bailout money and assumed the banks' risk, receive the same
treatment as the other shareholders -- and share in their profits? Because nobody was
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there to protect us from the double whammy dealt by the clever financial institutions:
the banks that received public funds to lend out and stimulate recovery took the money,
did not lend it out, and eventually paid it back to the U.S. Treasury, becoming "private"
again. This was true taxation without representation. We weren't even permitted to
vote out the Board of Directors of the banks we bailed out.
So, while the Fed applauds this pay back of public funds, nobody has addressed the
failure of these companies and financial institutions to fulfill their fiduciary duty to
protect the value of the enterprise and lend funds out to us! Nobody was fired or held
personally responsible for shareholder losses. Nobody can they be sent to jail or the
guillotine (as I have recommended since last year), because what they did was
permitted by the Regulators.
2011: The EU governments are planning to bail out Greece, which has a debt of about
190% of GDP. I worked in Greece for two years. Don't think this debt is all due to
overspending and poor management. It is a poor country, NATO ally, and brought into
the EU for strategic reasons as a gateway to the Middle East. So, now Germany and
France (the prime movers of the EuroZone) will have to decide if their financial
experiment will bring them more wealth as hoped, or impoverish them as they have to
bail out Greece and other EU countries. Just as U.S. homeowners borrowed too much
and the mortgage bubble burst, EU countries have borrowed too much and are on the
brink of collapse. But, hold on to your hats: EU governments can't afford to bail out
anyone. They are looking to China as the lender of last resort. And, so it has to be.
China is sitting on $3 trillion of our wealth -- which we also willingly handed over to
them.
Today's crisis of capitalism (the noun) was caused by the verb (to manage), and is
compounded by the following:
-- No Protectors are protecting us.
-- Nobody knows what China will want in return for its new role as the savior of
capitalism. Maybe they will want a blind eye cast on their human rights record. Maybe
they want the Yuan to be the new world currency. Maybe they want to cover up that
they themselves are pumping billions into their own largest banks in order to protect
their own economic bubble.
-- More regulation is obviously too little, too late.
-- Fiduciaries still look for their big bonuses and ways to use play the System.
-- Even the most conservative fiduciaries can't find a "risk-free" investment any more.
Yes, I am sympathetic with the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, but I would rather
protest against all the fiduciaries who failed to protect us: regulators (like the SEC,
Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac), politicians (who kick deficits down the road rather than
make unpopular decisions), credit analysts (like Standard & Poors, Moody's, and Fitch,
which didn't do the due diligence to flag the risk associated with the derivatives), money
managers (who put personal profit before public trust), bank loan officers and mortgage
brokers (who don't know how to do a credit analysis and permitted the rampant
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issuance of "toxic" mortgages to people who had no down payment or ability to pay,
etc., etc. that started us down the slippery slope).
Since it does not seem likely that all the Protectors who knowingly play/ed the System
for their own gain will get punished, I would also protest the inaction of the Justice
Department against the Fiduciaries. Sure, Bernie Madoff was finally jailed, but only after
his sons turned him in (obviously with his father's acquiescence, after transferring
$millions to his wife, and others). R. Allen Stanford is a particular thorn in my side. He
was finally jailed for his fraud in 2009, but not before one of his employees turned him
in. I tried to blow the whistle on Stanford in 2001 when I visited his shady operations in
Antigua and met with his posse. But my reports were buried and I my calls got
nowhere. This was not easy to swallow since my research at the time clearly showed
that Stanford was a crook. But, since Stanford had also flown top-ranking members of
Congress on his private jet regularly to Antigua for weekend "meetings," and since the
Stanford Investment Group continued to manage several U.S. State pension funds -including that of Texas since the time that George W. was the Governor of Texas -Stanford was simply untouchable. He had his Protectors and none of my subsequent
repeated efforts to shed light on Stanford's scams, theft, and illegal operations were
successful. He still must have Protectors, since Stanford also transferred assets to his
many "wives" after being jailed.
Bottom line: I have to hope that the Occupy movement will be a peaceful and effective
vehicle to communicate our nation's discontent. We have all seen the benefits of
capitalism and the downsides of the alternatives. All we want is to find someone to trust
-- a fiduciary of our interests, a Protector.
So, what can we do to protect our own finances?
We have to understand what we are facing -- a long term mess. Staying informed is
getting harder and harder because key information does not reach the light of day until
literally after-the-fact. All we can do is learn enough to plan our own investment
strategies, and try to position ourselves to outwit, outplay, and outlast the people
safekeeping our savings (bankers, brokers), and writing the laws that impact our Social
Security and pension income (politicians), retirement plans (politicians) and estate plans
(politicians).
Heads up on what we need to keep an eye on:
Paying Lower Taxes
-- Converting IRAs to Roth IRAs: Unless the Roth IRAS that you created from funds in
your traditional IRA accounts this year have increased by 25% in value, just recharacterize them back to the traditional IRA. No need to be clobbered twice -- by the
market and the tax man. You can always convert IRA funds back into Roth IRAs within
30 days after re-characterization in the event that the market soars.
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-- Paying Lower Estate Taxes: The Federal estate tax was reinstated retroactively to
January 1, 2010, but the favorable provisions are scheduled to expire at the end of
2012, when estates exceeding $1 million could be subject again to Federal tax. Keep an
eye on this. If the favorable provisions expire, you may wish to make a gift to your
heirs in your lifetime to bring your estate value (or that of your loved ones) down, or
establish the appropriate irrevocable trust accounts that shifts title to your assets to a
trustee -- a fiduciary!
-- Keeping an eye on Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rates: The 2010 Tax Relief Act
extended the 15% maximum tax rates on qualified dividends and long-term capital
gains through December 31, 2012. But without further legislation, dividends will be
taxed at ordinary income tax rates and capital gains tax rates will return to 20% (23.8%
for investors in the two highest tax brackets) in 2013. Keep an eye on this.
Finding a Good Time to Invest
As long as the stock market is moving, you can make money. "Technical" traders who
chart stock prices (and even automatic computer programs) trigger Buys and Sells
whenever a stock price reaches a target price. They Buy when the price is going up to
the Sell target and Sell when the price is going down to the Buy target. This sounds
magical, but all around the world, traders are buying and selling 24/7 depending on
these price charts, literally moving the markets up and down. If you have a computer,
go to www.yahoo.com/Finance for free access to stock prices and charts (daily, weekly,
historically back a few years). If you don't have a computer, ask your broker to send
you some charts. Or, just start plotting the price of a stock on graph paper over a
period of time (as we used to do in the old days). You will soon see trading ranges
emerge and know when to get in and out of the market. And, in this fluctuating
market, don't hold on to your stocks. When they rise 10%, sell them. When the price
goes back down, buy them again. You have to pay attention to squeeze some profit out
of this market after commissions. But buying and holding will not get you very far for
the next year or two.
Managing Cash When Interest Rates Are Low
It’s generally a good idea to keep three to six months of income in an emergency fund.
I recommend a money market, so you can get some return on the money. And, don't
forget to have some cash in a safety deposit box or under the mattress -- in the event
that the electric grid fails, computers are down, hackers pirate the records, etc.
Refinancing the Mortgage
It is easy to see if you can take advantage of today's lower interest rates by going to
www.hsh.com. Just plug in the numbers and your monthly rate will appear for 30-year
fixed mortgages, and others. If the closing costs are low and can be amortized in less
than 10 years, refinancing your primary residence is usually worth doing if you plan to
stay in your house for the long term. Ask for the APR, or annual percentage rate, after
all the fees are calculated, and shop among banks to see the best deal.
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Keeping up with Inflation
A 3.6% cost of living increase will appear on 55 million Social Security and 8 million Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) checks on December 30, 2011. This is really welcome news, because there
was no cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase since 2010 levels. The increase did not come free,
however, particularly for the approximately 10 million of the 161 million working Americans who earn
over $110,000 per year. So, thank you lucky people in the 1% for footing the bill for this increase!
For more on how the COLA is calculated, see www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
MEDICARE IS NOT SOCIALIZED MEDICINE
Okay, I admit that this is another hot button for me, so here I am on another
bandwagon! Any politician, pundit, or citizen that says that Medicare is "socialized
medicine" is completely misguided. I lived in Europe for 12 years and saw socialized
medicine first-hand: higher deductions from my salary for healthcare than any
American citizen has ever seen, government-run clinics, doctors, vouchers, long waiting
lists for procedures, etc., etc.
When you hear Medicare being bashed, please help to stop the rhetoric. It is true that
the Medicare system is not perfect. Hey, it is administered by a government agency
(the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services -- CMS). But it is not a publicly-run
healthcare system. CMS oversees the privately-owned healthcare providers (hundreds
of HMOs, Preferred Provider Plans, etc.) that have to compete with each other to keep
both their rates and benefits attractive to the clients (who get to choose which plan to
sign up for) and their certification up to snuff to be permitted to participate in the
Medicare system (which ranks providers according to a 0-5 star system and boots out
those that break the rules).
Medicare is also not an automatic benefit for everyone. I earned my benefits by working
at least 10 years and paying into it every month through payroll deductions. People
who have not worked the full 10 years have to "pay into" Medicare (to the tune of
$500/month or more). I also pay to Medicare a separate premium Part B services
(about 80% of the costs of approved doctor fees) via an automatic deduction from my
Social Security check. Of course, Medicare does not cover many other healthcare
services and prescription drug costs, so I have to pay for those separately. Nobody is
giving me a "cradle to grave" plan, as with socialized medicine.
As I see it, the biggest problems with Medicare are the following:
-- Us! We are getting more bang for our buck by living longer! Medicare was supposed
to provide healthcare for retirees whose life expectancy was age 75 -- only 10 years
after retirement. It was not designed for we retirees who all plan to hit 100.
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-- Rampant criminal fraud is sucking $ billions out of the system, as crooks, healthcare
providers, equipment vendors, and even beneficiaries file phony claims, etc. If you
become aware of Medicare fraud, please call the Fraud Hotline: 1-866-357-6677.
-- Some doctors are dropping out of the Medicare system. They want to be paid more
than what Medicare believes is a reasonable charge. Time will tell how this shakes out.
-- Medicare beneficiaries may be forced to switch to generic drugs, instead of brand
names. But some good news: Lipitor goes generic on November 30!
Since Medicare beneficiaries have until December 7, 2011 to switch health plans
during this year's Annual Election Period, be sure to check that your current healthcare
provider continues to cover your prescription drugs and that your favorite doctors
continue to participate. You can go to www.medicare.gov to compare plans. You will
likely see about 50 plans that you are eligible for in your zip code area -- in all price
ranges. Some are extremely inexpensive. If you need help comparing plans, call
Medicare ask for the number of your local certified Medicare counselor from State Health
Insurance Provider (SHIP -- called SHINE in Florida): 1-800-633-4227.
And remember, after December 7th, you will have to wait until October 15, 2012 for the
next Annual Election Period when you can switch plans (effective January 1, 2013).
Universal Healthcare is Not Socialized Medicine
Another bandwagon! ObamaCare is proposing thatcitizens and permanent residents
under 65 who are not yet eligible for Medicare get the same sort of choice of private
healthcare options that Medicare beneficiaries have: HMOs, PPOs, etc. Some HMOs
that I have seen are as inexpensive as $30/month for a family plan. I cannot fathom
why anyone would oppose this -- except the person does not have any health insurance
from his employer, is uninsured, and is relying on free, taxpayer-subsidized emergency
room treatment for himself and his family.
Under Obamacare, the universal healthcare reform will affect those previously-uninsured
individuals, as well as U.S. taxpayers, as it is phased in through 2014. Unless things
change as the 2012 election year plays out, here is the current state of play of the main
provisions:
1) Guaranteed Issue Clause:
The insurance company cannot ask any medical questions to find pre-existing health
conditions, so the applicant cannot be turned down. This is great, but will certainly will
cause insurance premiums to increase overall to cover the increased risk. In 2014,
when everyone will be guaranteed coverage and all premiums will be the same, the
carrier will spread the risk to all members -- including the healthy ones.
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2) Individual Mandate Clause:
All individuals must purchase health insurance or face a fine/penalty. This is intended
to prevent people from signing up only when they need coverage (bumping up
premiums across the board) and canceling it when they don't. The U.S. Supreme Court
will consider the constitutionality of this clause in 2012 since 26 states are currently
suing the US government over it. I hope the Supreme Court remembers what all
Medicare beneficiaries know -- Medicare collects penalties for every month that the
Medicare beneficiary failed to enroll in Part B (doctor coverage) and Part D (prescription
drug coverage) when their employer's creditable insurance stops. Is that
unconstitutional too?
3) Health Insurance Exchanges:
Starting in 2014, each State is required to have a health insurance exchange available
so individuals can shop for medical insurance from multiple insurance companies. Each
insurance company will be required to provide premium subsidies based on income. As
an example, families of four that earn under $80,000 per year will receive some subsidy.
Subsidies become smaller as income rises.
4) Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC):
In 2014, each individual must buy a health insurance plan that provides a minimum of
"credible coverage" and low annual deductibles in order to avoid the fines/penalties.
Stay tuned as to what the minimum coverage features and deductible will be.
5) Minimum Loss Ratio (MLR) clause and how it affects your rates:
Starting in 2011, each insurance carrier is mandated by law to pay out 80-85% of
premiums paid in claims. If the carriers do not pay out at least these amounts, they will
be forced to refund money. In theory this will help reduce and control rates, however, if
the insurance companies end up paying out more than the minimum required by law,
they may ask for and will most likely receive any rate increase they request.
6) Obama Drops Long-Term Care Insurance:
Sadly, last month, President Obama dropped Long-Term Care (LTC) insurance from his
healthcare package. Congress clamored that it too expensive for the Federal
Government to subsidize even a small part of the current annual fee of $76,000/year for
care at a facility or at home beyond what Medicare covers (60 days). This is not trivial
for anyone expecting to live longer than 80 years old. Why? Because aging is a
gradual process. No matter how spry you may feel and act, every passing year adds a
greater and greater burden on the elder Senior's ability to cope with taking care of
himself and his affairs -- paying bills, shopping for and preparing balanced meals,
handling home maintenance and housekeeping, getting to the doctor and pharmacy, etc.
-- not to mention assistance or skilled nursing care in the event of a disability. So be
aware Everyone -- of every age: You are on your own, so start saving and planning for
your long term care NOW.
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FLU SEASON
Time to think about getting your flu shots! It is free for Medicare beneficiaries.
And, thanks to Dr. Laurie Nadel, here is info on Tamiflu from the company website. Tamiflu
(oseltamivir phosphate ) is a class of medications called neuraminidase inhibitors that work by
stopping the spread of the influenza (flu) virus in the body. The problem is that you can't get a
prescription for Tamiflu unless you already have flu symptoms, including a high fever, etc. In
other words, this is not preventive medicine.
The new movie, Contagion, addresses the real possibility of a pandemic spreading around the
globe very quickly. Is this possible? Yes! So, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) is
putting a plan in place to avoid Armageddon. Although each flu virus is different and it takes
time to evaluate the source of a pandemic and produce the appropriate vaccine, WHO has
established a Global Alert and Response (GAR) system that will provide information to all the
world's governments. Every country is supposed to have rapid response plans in place -primarily involving the military. The GAR Network focuses technical and operational resources
from scientific institutions in UN member states, medical and surveillance initiatives, regional
technical networks, networks of laboratories, UN organizations (e.g. UNICEF, UNHCR), the Red
Cross (International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies and national societies) and international humanitarian nongovernmental
organizations (e.g. Médecins sans Frontières, International Rescue Committee, Merlin and
Epicentre). Participation in GAR is open to technical institutions, networks and organizations
that have the capacity to contribute to international outbreak alert and response. For more info
on GAR, see http://www.who.int/csr/en/.
We have to hope that this plan works! With the world population reaching 7 billion, it is
ambitious indeed!
Food Safety
Since this is one of my favorite subjects, having worked the issue for many years at the State
Department, here are some of the latest tid bits of info that I picked up that we should all be
aware of:
-- Beware of "organic" fruits and veggies. I know that this goes against ally the pro-organic
hype. But, if E.coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and other pathogens are in the soil (from animal
fertilizers), they are in the water supply -- and in and on your food. Since learning what I know
about food safety, I have preferred to eat conventional foods grown with fertilizers that are
regulated by FDA.
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-- Wash everything you put into your mouth and the utensils used to peel fruits and vegetables.
Witness the organic canteloupe tragedy, with left hundreds ill and dozens dead across several
States before the contaminating Listeria monocytogenes was traced to an organic farm. After
weeks of testing the soil and water supply, the FDA narrowed the problem to the farm's packing
facility, where the "equipment, flooring, standing water and drains in the packing shed were
contaminated with the same strains of Listeria that infected consumers who became sickened
and/or died." For the full story:
http://www.foodengineeringmag.com/Articles/Manufacturing_News/BNP_GUID_9-52006_A_10000000000001118887.
Yuk!!!! This reminds me that I was recently invited on a tour of a company packaging salad
greens and herbs for local supermarkets. The company packed the produce in bags that said
"triple washed." When I asked the owner to see his washing facility, he said that the farmers do
the washing and that he only packaged dry produce. Big joke on us: a lettuce can be hosed
over by a farmer three times, put by hand in a reusable crate, dried on a truck en route to a
packaging company, unpacked by hand, and put by hand into a plastic bag that says "triple
washed," and we actually believe that the produce is clean.
Please! Do as I did when I lived in the third world: fill your sink with water and add a few
drops of bleach. Let your fruits and veggies sit there for at least 5 minutes. Some fruits and
veggies with surface indentations (strawberries, apples, canteloupes), may need to be gently
scrubbed a bit with a soft brush or sponge. Rinse well (hopefully the bad stuff and little critters
will have floated to the water surface) and dry thoroughly. Only then are will your fresh produce
be ready to eat! P.S. I had just typed this when I received the following FDA alert:
River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC of Salinas, CA is initiating a voluntary recall of 2,154 cases of
various bagged salad products due to the potential of being contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes following a routine random test conducted by the Ohio Department of
Agriculture. For more info: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm275855.htm
Yuk again!!! Please take this seriously and take precautions!
-- And don't forget the bag carrying your packaged food. If you don't wash your re-usable
grocery bags in between use, Triple Yuk!!! According to a peer-reviewed study completed by the
U. of Arizona, large numbers of bacteria were found in almost all reused bags: 50% contained
dangerous coliform bacteria, and 8% contained E.coli. Only 3% of the shoppers who were
surveyed said they washed their bags with hot, soapy water after each use; 97% said they
didn't wash their bags at all, and the majority said they used their bags for multi-purposes,
including for transporting clothes, lunches, gym shoes, etc., giving new meaning to "re-usable"
bags. Please -- wash your bags in between use!!!
-- I also recently learned that, due to the spread of disease among "wild salmons" from Chile
(that are fattened up in cages in the water and are not exactly "wild"), the fish are being
injected with antibiotics. These salmon are sold in Costco and all the major U.S. supermarkets.
-- A few months ago, I signed up to get the FDA food safety warnings on www.foodsafety.gov. I
am getting at least 20 warnings/week regarding all sorts of recalls. For example, caramel
colorings III and IV are under scrutiny for their link to lung, liver and thyroid cancer in lab mice
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and rats. These coloring are used in many, many of the foods that we eat -- soft drinks, beer,
soy sauce, cereal, cookies, and bread. For more info:
http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/News/News%20Home/Regulatory%20News/2011/2/CSPI%20
calls%20for%20ban%20of%20two%20caramel%20colorings.aspx?NewsLetter=true):
-- Food allergies also seem to be on the rise. Approximately 1 in 20 children and about one in
25 adults have a food allergy. I found out just 2 years ago that I was allergic to all milk,
products, but never had a symptom to suggest it! No indigestion. Nothing. It was discovered
after a routine blood test showed a high white blood count. So, be sure to ask your doctor if
there are any signs of food allergies in your routine blood work, or ask your doctor to test you
for food allergies if you find some foods hard to digest. You can check out The Guidelines for the
Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIH/NIAIDsponsored Expert Panel report.
In the United States, the most common food allergens are egg, milk, peanut, tree nuts, wheat,
crustacean shellfish, fish and soy. They are more common in children than in adults, and most
children will outgrow them. However, allergies to peanut (which is actually a "legume") and tree
nuts are often lifelong, as are allergies that start in adulthood -- such as an allergy to shellfish,
or milk!.
Food allergies often appear with other diseases, such as asthma, eczema (rash, flaky skin) and
eosinophilic esophagitis. This latter is fatal, so take heed of this issue. If your family has a
history of allergy and you have eczema, then you are at greater risk for having food allergy than
someone who does not have these risk factors. Because the severity of an allergic reaction to
food is based on many factors, the severity of any future reaction cannot be accurately
predicted, but here are thinks to keep in mind:

Is there a cure for food allergy? Not yet. The only way to prevent a reaction to a food is
to avoid the allergenic food. The NIN Guidelines suggest that you read food labels
carefully. If you have a child with food allergy, seek nutritional counseling.

Because some allergies can be outgrown, you should be re-tested periodically to see
whether you are still allergic.

If your allergy is severe, you are at risk for anaphylaxis (severe swelling, including in your
throat which could suffocate you) -- a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and
may result in death. If you are prone to anaphylaxis, get a prescription for epinephrine
(e.g., the self-injectable Epipen), learn how to use it, and keep it on your person at all
times. I have carried an Epipen with me 24/7 for the last 40 years, since I learned I was
highly allergic to bee bites, which is another cause of anaphylaxis.

Have an emergency plan in place. Let your friends and family know about your allergies
so that they can dial 911 for you if you are in distress. If you have an Epipen, teach
them how to use it to save your life.
HEALTH COVERAGE WHEN ON TRAVEL
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Planning to travel to some warm destination or going on a cruise this winter? Remember that
the minute you step on the deck of virtually any cruise ship or board any airplane flying outside
the U.S. borders, and you are leaving without coverage from Medicare most healthcare
providers.
In most situations, Medicare will not pay for health care services or supplies that you receive
outside the United States (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam,
American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands). However, Medicare allows a cruise ship’s
doctor, under certain laws, to provide medically-necessary health care services if the ship is in a
U.S. port or no more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port when you receive the services
(regardless of whether it’s an emergency). If the ship is more than 6 hours way, Medicare will
not cover health care services.
Additionally, certain types of medical emergencies and hospital care are covered by Medicare if
you are in the U.S. when the emergency occurs and the closest hospital is a foreign hospital.
For example, if you are traveling through Canada between a U.S. State and Alaska, and the
Canadian hospital is the closest for treatment, regardless of whether it’s an emergency,
Medicare will determine coverage for treatment on a case-by-case basis.
For Medicare beneficiaries:
-- Check to make sure if your Medicare Advantage Plan offers additional coverage for services
outside the U.S.
-- Several Medigap policies offer foreign travel coverage (standard plans C, D, F, G, M and N).
Also plans C, D, E*, F, G H*, I*, J*, M and N pay 80% of the billed charges for certain medicallynecessary emergency care outside the U.S. after the beneficiary meets a yearly $250 deductible.
Most Medigap foreign travel emergency coverage has a lifetime limit of $50,000. (*These plans
are no longer for sale but some clients may still have an existing policy.)
-- Additional insurance for travelers may provide limited coverage of health care services and
can be purchased through an insurance agent or travel agent.
For more information, CMS provides a detailed fact sheet, “Medicare Coverage Outside the
United States.” You may find it on www.medicare.gov by clicking on “Resources,” “Publications
and Podcasts” and typing in the number 11037. Still confused? Don't hesitate to call your
local office of S.H.I.P., called SHINE in Florida: 305-670-6500.
108 Companies Giving Senior Discounts
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Thanks to Dr. Laurie Nadel, here is a list of stores offering discounts for people over 60. Since
many stores don't advertise these, be sure to ask in advance if these stores are honoring the
discounts that they are advertising. For example, Publix Supermarkets has put on many
websites that their stores give Senior shoppers a 5% discount on Wednesdays. So, one
Wednesday last month, my Auntie Irma went shopping at Publix and asked for the discount. Bad
news. The manager said that the Senior discount is only offered in Atlanta. I called Publix HQ
to complain about false advertising. They referred me back to the district manager for Miami.
Naturally, the number was a voicemail referring me to another number, and another voicemail.
Over 10,000 Boomers are turning 65 every day in the U.S. We are a force and can make things
happen! Feel free to call Public District Manager, Modesto Blanco, to express your desire for
Senior discounts at all Publix stores: 305-273-6245.
Anyway, here is the list of companies offering discounts:
Restaurants
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Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney’s: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
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Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)
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Retail and Apparel
Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots: 10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks: 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)
Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)
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Grocery
Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+) -- Atlanta only
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)
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Travel
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Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hertz: up t0 25% off for AARP members
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Activities & Entertainment
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 30% off
Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
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Cell Phone Discounts
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Miscellaneous
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Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)
This is a WOW in my book! Thanks, Dr. Laurie, for passing this along.
ReServe -- Retirees Can Work Part-Time for $10/hour
Here is another Wow! I am happy to announce the launch on of ReServe in Miami, an organization
following in the footsteps of ReServe in New York: www.reserveinc.org. ReServe matches retired
professionals 55+ with the nonprofits that need workers on a part-time basis in their community:
schools, governments, charitable organizations, etc . -- and pays them $10/hour.
If you want to get on ReServe's roster for placement in New York or Miami, or if you want to start a
ReServe in your community, just let me know and I will hook you up with the organizers. I was
honored to be on the Planning Committee that got ReServe launched in Miami.
And, as one ReServist told a group at the launch of ReServe Miami on October 13th, he joined
ReServe because after he retired and stopped working, he wanted to get out of the house and avoid
full-time requests from his wife's "honeydew" list: "Honey, do this." "Honey, do that." ...
Earning extra money sounds good to all of us for any reason!
Please let me know how topics you would like covered in our next Newsletters! Email:DrBruno@gynosapiens.com.
All previous Newsletters are posted online on the homepage of
www.gynosapiens.com
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