January sure is dry!

Turning 65 is a huge milestone, but figuring out Medicare can feel like a full-time job. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options and worry about hidden costs. Many people assume getting expert help will be expensive, but that’s simply not true. At The Big 65, our goal is to make this process simple and stress-free. Working with an expert from the big 65 team is completely free for you. Let’s talk about how that works and why you’ll never see a bill from us.

May this blog find you in amazing health with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working well.

For Medicare questions or concerns, book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com if you need us.

I love this picture of Lauren celebrating New Year’s Eve as she has done for the past 30 years, working in Times Square. Well done!

This picture of my brother Haas and Nicole sums up how Q and I normally celebrate the New Year😂😴. We rarely stay up late🌙🦉 either.

This was my view on New Years Eve day, wrapping things up with clients for 2024. If it doesn’t look like Denver, you’re right!

Plato and Elwood we’re not happy we left town, but thanks to our amazing neighbor, these two boys are getting plenty of love till Sus and KC get home.

The two brothers in the picture below were our exchange students in the US when our daughter Sus was in high school.

Santi and Memo drove two hours to Mexico City to have dinner with us and it sure was delightful to see them again.

That beer you see in front of me was the last one I had before “Dry January” began. I miss it already😢🍺.

Dry January, a month-long break from alcohol, is an opportunity to reset and focus on wellness. Whether you’re cutting back or going completely dry, the benefits are impressive. It’s also a great way to show solidarity with anyone you love who struggles with alcohol.

Here’s why taking a break from booze could make January your best month yet.

How Does It Improve Your Physical Health?

Improved Sleep: Alcohol disrupts REM sleep, and skipping it helps you wake up more refreshed.
Boosted Energy Levels: Experience higher energy as your body recovers from the effects of alcohol.
Weight Loss: Cutting out empty calories from alcohol can help you shed pounds.

A Clearer Mind: The Mental Health Gains

Better Mood: Without alcohol’s depressive effects, many people report feeling more positive and emotionally stable.
Improved Focus: Gain mental clarity as your brain operates without the influence of alcohol.
Stress Reduction: Discover healthier ways to cope with stress, like exercise or mindfulness.

Social Benefits:

Stronger Connections: Focus on meaningful interactions without alcohol as a social crutch.
Explore New Activities: Try sober-friendly events, fitness classes, or coffee dates.
Be a Role Model: Inspire others to explore healthier habits by leading the way.

Long-Term Health Benefits:

Liver Recovery: Give your liver a break and reduce the risk of liver disease.
Lower Blood Pressure: Alcohol can raise blood pressure, so abstaining may improve heart health.
Reduced Cancer Risk: Alcohol is linked to certain cancers, and reducing consumption can lower your risk.

Understanding Medicare Broker Services

When you first start looking into Medicare, the sheer volume of information can feel like a tidal wave. Between different parts, plans, and private insurance options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This is where a Medicare broker comes in. Think of a broker as your personal guide, someone whose job is to help you make sense of it all. An independent broker, in particular, isn’t tied to a single insurance company. This independence is key, as it means they can present you with a wide range of plans from various carriers, ensuring the advice you get is centered on your needs, not a sales quota.

At The Big 65, our founder, Karl Bruns-Kyler, is a licensed and independent Medicare insurance broker. His entire focus is on helping people understand their choices and find a plan that truly fits their life. Instead of you having to research dozens of companies on your own, a broker does the heavy lifting. They compare the plans, explain the fine print, and answer your questions in plain English. This allows you to feel confident that you’re not just picking a plan, but making an informed decision about your health coverage for the years to come.

How an Independent Broker Can Help

An independent broker’s main goal is to simplify your options and find the right coverage for your specific situation. They start by getting to know you—your health needs, your budget, and which doctors you want to keep seeing. With that information, they can sift through the countless plans available in your area to find the ones that offer the most benefits at the lowest possible price. This personalized approach saves you time and can prevent costly mistakes, like choosing a plan with a network that doesn’t include your trusted physician or one that doesn’t cover your essential prescriptions.

Who We Serve at The Big 65

We work with a diverse group of people who need clear, unbiased guidance. This includes individuals who are 65 or older and preparing to enroll in Medicare for the first time. We also assist those who are younger than 65 and qualify for Medicare because they are on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Our goal is to provide support to anyone who finds the Medicare system complex and wants a trusted partner to help them through it.

Types of Plans We Offer

Because we are independent, we can help you explore a full range of coverage options. We specialize in Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, which help cover costs that Original Medicare doesn’t, like deductibles and coinsurance. We also work with Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which are an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private companies, and standalone Part D prescription drug plans. This allows us to find a comprehensive solution that covers your hospital, medical, and prescription needs.

The Cost of Using a Medicare Broker

This is one of the best parts: working with an independent broker like Karl at The Big 65 is completely free for you. There are no hidden fees or charges for our services. Brokers are compensated directly by the insurance companies if you decide to enroll in a plan. This means you get expert, one-on-one guidance without any added cost. The premium you pay for your insurance plan is the exact same whether you enroll through a broker or go directly to the insurance company. You get the benefit of professional advice and ongoing support, all for the same price.

Why Experience and Ongoing Support Matter

The world of Medicare is constantly changing, with new plans and rules emerging every year. That’s why experience is so important. With over 20 years in the field, Karl has seen it all and has a deep understanding of the system. But our support doesn’t stop once you’ve enrolled. Your healthcare needs can change, and your plan should, too. We offer one-on-one service every year to review your coverage, making sure it still fits your needs and budget. This ongoing relationship ensures you always have the best possible plan for your circumstances.

New Tax Law Changes for Seniors

As you plan for your financial future in retirement, it’s important to stay informed about changes to tax laws that could affect you. Congress recently passed a bill that includes a new tax deduction specifically for older adults, which is set to take effect in 2025. This change could provide significant savings for many seniors, allowing you to keep more of your hard-earned money. Understanding how this deduction works and who qualifies is the first step toward taking advantage of this new benefit.

While this is exciting news, tax laws can be complex. The information here is for educational purposes, and it’s always a good idea to consult with a qualified tax professional to understand how this new law will apply to your personal financial situation. They can provide personalized advice to ensure you’re making the most of all available deductions and credits. Now, let’s look at the details of what this new law entails.

A New $6,000 Tax Deduction for 2025

The centerpiece of the new legislation is a $6,000 tax deduction for older adults. A tax deduction lowers your taxable income, which in turn reduces the amount of tax you owe. For example, if your taxable income is $50,000, this deduction could lower it to $44,000, resulting in a smaller tax bill. This is a meaningful change designed to provide some financial relief to seniors, acknowledging the rising costs of living and healthcare.

Who Qualifies for the Deduction?

The primary requirement for this new deduction is age-based. To qualify, you must be at least 65 years old by the end of the tax year. This is a straightforward rule, but it’s important to note that it applies to the tax year for which you are filing. For the 2025 tax year, you would need to have turned 65 by December 31, 2025.

Understanding How the Deduction Is Calculated

Beyond the age requirement, there are also income limitations to consider, particularly for married couples. According to an analysis by AARP, if you are married and file your taxes jointly, both you and your spouse must be 65 or older to qualify. Additionally, your combined Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) must be less than $250,000. It’s important to check your MAGI, as it can differ from your adjusted gross income (AGI).

How This Law Affects Your Social Security

While a new tax deduction is welcome news for individuals, it’s also worth understanding its broader economic impact. Tax deductions reduce the total amount of tax revenue collected by the government. This has a ripple effect on federal programs that rely on that revenue, including Social Security. When less money flows into the U.S. Treasury, there’s less available to fund these essential programs, which can affect long-term financial projections.

A Look at the Future of Social Security Funding

Financial experts are already analyzing the potential consequences of this reduced revenue. Some believe this change could speed up the timeline for when Social Security’s retirement and survivor benefits fund is projected to run short of money. According to some reports, the shortfall could happen a year earlier than previously expected. This doesn’t mean the fund will run out, but it highlights the ongoing conversation about ensuring the long-term stability of Social Security for future generations.

Answering Common Medicare Questions

Choosing a health insurance company for your Medicare coverage is a major decision, and it’s natural to want the “best” one. However, the best company isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice for your neighbor might not be the right one for you. It depends entirely on your personal circumstances, including your health, budget, and where you live. The most effective way to approach this is to focus on finding the best company *for you*.

To help you with that, let’s address two of the most common questions we hear from people who are new to Medicare. By understanding what to look for in a health insurance company and how to evaluate your options, you can move forward with clarity and confidence. These questions are a great starting point for a more detailed conversation about your specific needs.

Finding the Best Health Insurance Company for Medicare

The “best” health insurance company is the one that offers a plan that meets your unique needs at a price you can afford. Key factors to consider include the plan’s network of doctors and hospitals, its prescription drug formulary (the list of covered drugs), and its overall costs, including premiums, deductibles, and copays. It’s also important to consider a company’s customer service reputation. An independent broker can be invaluable here, as they can compare plans from multiple top-rated carriers in your area to find the perfect match for your healthcare priorities and financial situation.

Identifying the Highest-Rated Medicare Supplement Company

When it comes to Medicare Supplement (or Medigap) plans, the benefits are standardized by the federal government. This means that a Plan G from one company offers the exact same medical benefits as a Plan G from another. Because of this, the primary differences between companies are price, customer service, and financial stability. You can check a company’s financial strength through rating agencies like A.M. Best. However, since the coverage is identical, your decision will likely come down to which highly-rated company offers the most competitive premium for the plan you want.

Your Guide to Getting Started and Sticking With It

Set Clear Goals: Decide if you’re going completely dry or just cutting back.
Find Alternatives: Stock up on tasty non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails.
Seek Support: Join a Dry January challenge or share your goals with friends.
Track Your Progress: Use a journal or app to celebrate milestones.

Ready to Take the Challenge? Whether you’re in it for the health, the savings, or the mental clarity, Dry January offers something for everyone. Here’s to a healthier, happier start to the year! Anyone who tries will get honey (when we get home).

We saw this sculpture and quote while walking in Condesa and it says everything:

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to a person or an object.”
—Albert Einstein

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 50 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is your service free? It sounds too good to be true. I get this question all the time, and it’s a fair one! The simple answer is that we are paid by the insurance companies, not by you. When we help you enroll in a plan, the insurance carrier pays us a commission. The important thing to know is that your plan premium is exactly the same whether you use our help or enroll directly with the company. You get the benefit of our expertise and personalized support without ever paying a dime for it.

What does it mean that you’re an “independent” broker? Being independent means we are not tied to any single insurance company. Instead of working for one carrier and only showing you their products, we are certified to offer plans from a wide variety of companies. This allows us to focus entirely on your needs. We compare different options to find the plan that truly fits your healthcare situation and budget, rather than pushing a specific brand. Our loyalty is to you.

How is working with you different from just using the Medicare website or calling companies myself? Think of us as your personal guide through a very complicated system. While you can certainly do the research yourself, it can be incredibly time-consuming and confusing. We do the heavy lifting for you by sifting through the plans available in your area, explaining the pros and cons in plain English, and making sure your doctors and prescriptions are covered. We save you time and help you avoid potentially costly mistakes.

What happens after I choose a plan? Is that the end of our relationship? Not at all. We believe in building long-term relationships. Once you’re enrolled, we become your go-to resource for any questions or issues that come up with your plan. Your healthcare needs can change from year to year, so we also offer an annual review to ensure your plan is still the best fit for you. Our support doesn’t end once the paperwork is signed.

I already have a Medicare plan. Can you still help me? Absolutely. Many of the people we help are already enrolled in Medicare but aren’t sure if their current plan is still working for them. We can review your existing coverage, compare it to other options on the market, and help you decide if switching during the Annual Enrollment Period makes sense. It never hurts to get a second opinion to confirm you have the best coverage for your needs.

Key Takeaways

Expert Medicare help is free: You can get personalized guidance from an independent broker without any hidden fees. They are paid by the insurance companies, so you get professional advice for the exact same premium you’d pay on your own.
A new tax deduction could save you money: Starting in 2025, a $6,000 tax deduction will be available for adults 65 and over. This can lower your taxable income, but be sure to check the income requirements and talk with a tax professional to see how it applies to you.
The “best” plan is the one that fits your life: Instead of searching for a single best company, focus on what you need—like keeping your doctors and managing your budget. Since Medigap benefits are standardized, your choice often comes down to finding the best price and service from a reputable company.