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December 7, 2022 |Gabe Taylor

Liven up wintertime with new events on your social calendar! Check out one of many winter festivals, or consider a fine arts performance at one of our Twin Cities venues. You could also try out a new ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

Planning for retirement can bring many emotions – excitement, confusion, and even fear of the unknown. Having confidence in your financial well-being is one of the best ways to establish a joyful ...

Blog Author: Kathy Ingulsrud

The holidays! A time for family, friends, and special memories – or at least, that’s what we hope for. Sometimes the holiday season is stressful, lonely, and difficult, and we may even find ourselves ...

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

You spend the first 65 years of your life contributing to Medicare taxes, so naturally, you may wonder: what do you get with Medicare? Are there any options for coverage beyond Original Medicare? ...

Blog Author: Jessica Richter

When deciding on a life insurance policy that meets your needs, it is helpful to know the options and how they differ. Here, we will review how term life insurance and whole life insurance policies ...

Blog Author: John Demko

November is National Diabetes Month, making this is an ideal time to revisit the disease’s significance and its impact on many lives. An estimated 33% of people 65 and older have diabetes (2022). ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

When you shop at Amazon or Target, or visit restaurants and retail businesses, ratings help you decide what and where to purchase. This is also important when making impactful decisions, such as ...

Blog Author: Gabe Taylor

Original Medicare can leave a lot of gaps in your health coverage. For example, there is no maximum out-of-pocket limit on your health care costs when enrolled in just parts A and B. This means that ...

Blog Author: Jessica Richter

When applying for a life insurance policy, it is helpful to know the different types of life insurance underwriting you may experience as you go through the approval process. Let’s look at what it ...

Blog Author: Marcia Pruitt

We are stronger when we face things together! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a chance to show support for the many people in our communities affected by breast cancer. Here are several ...

Blog Author: Kathy Ingulsrud

Medicare scams have seen a staggering rise in the past few years. If you are on Medicare or are nearing your Medicare eligibility, you have likely received countless mailers, seen the ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

What is a MYGA? MYGA stands for Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity. This specific type of annuity offers a guaranteed fixed interest rate for an established period of time selected by the owner (e.g. 4% ...

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

As autumn arrives, Medicare recipients will be bombarded with Medicare mail. Most of the time, it is just advertisements from organizations trying to sell you what they have to offer. However, there ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

As you age, it may be important to leave a piece of life’s greatness to your future generations. That can mean sharing an heirloom that has been passed down from prior generations, contributing ...

Blog Author: John Demko

Prepare yourself: we are about to enter the season of Medicare advertising. Soon you won’t be able to escape the barrage of mail, television, and online commercials about Medicare.

Blog Author: Kathy Ingulsrud

At Twin City Underwriters, we know how overwhelming the Medicare journey can be. Before joining, you’ll find yourself wondering – When do I apply? What type of plan is right for me? What insurance ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

With multiple kinds of annuities available, it is important to know how each of them works. Looking at an annuity in its entirety, the common goal is to increase the value of the amount vested and ...

Blog Author: Kathy Ingulsrud

If enrolled in Medicare, the word donut hole may not leave you thinking of the tasty pastry. When it comes to Medicare drug plans, also known as Medicare Part D, knowing what to expect and how your ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

When it comes to life insurance, it is essential to define what you want to protect in the event of your passing. Determine your goal: perhaps you want to leave a legacy with a loved one or make sure ...

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

There are so many ways to utilize technology to ensure we stay close and connected to loved ones who are away. Video Chats and Zoom events have become rituals for families with time zone challenges. ...

Blog Author: John Demko

Dental care is essential to our overall health. When considering having dental work or dental implants done, remember first to check what dental coverage your current insurance provides.

Blog Author: Kathy Ingulsrud

Are you eager to check off a list of desired places on your travel bucket list? We look forward to hearing about your plans! As you buy your tickets and pack your bags, here are some planning ...

Blog Author: Kathy Ingulsrud

Summer! The season that makes us forget the cold of the previous months. The season that brings sports, graduations, outdoor activities, gardens, the Minnesota State Fair, and all sorts of fun in the ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

An annuity can play an important role in your retirement. Whether you are trying to increase your retirement savings, control some tax exposure while accumulating, or need guaranteed income, there ...

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

Caring for aging parents can be stressful and overwhelming. Focusing on what you can control and where you can receive support in this situation can help lead to a better outcome. When supporting an ...

Blog Author: John Demko

In today’s day and age, one might find it easy to feel disconnected with the world. With that disconnection some may feel that their senses are dulled, or that their memory retention and focus have ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

Many people wonder if life insurance provided by employers offers sufficient coverage. If you were to pass unexpectantly, do you know if the policy benefit will cover your income and the expenses ...

Blog Author: Marcia Pruitt

Did you know that within the first 12 months of getting part B of Medicare, you get a free “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit with your primary care provider? You do! Each year thereafter, ...

Blog Author: Kathy Ingulsrud

Ready to fulfill your travel bucket list? Have your destination set and your passport in order? Have you considered your Medicare health coverage for your upcoming trip? We have you covered. Here is ...

Blog Author: John Demko

With all the commercials, mailings, and other Medicare communication, you may wonder if your Medicare plan offers those extra benefits you hear people talking about. One of those extras might be ...

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

When you start Medicare, it’s helpful to know exactly how to use your new Medicare card. Where should you keep it, when do you show it, and how do you keep it safe? We’ll cover all of this and more ...

Blog Author: John Demko

In What Ways Can Preexisting Conditions Affect my Approval for a Life Insurance Policy?

Blog Author: Todd Lewison

As the weather warms and the flowers bloom, it’s a perfect time to get outside and reconnect with people, nature, and the things that bring us joy. Here are a few ways to get outside and stay active ...

Blog Author: Todd Lewison

Regular health screenings are one of the best ways to prevent disease and identify potential risk factors. Because of this, Medicare plans generally cover all basic screenings – and even some that ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

Life insurance seems straightforward, but it can get complicated pretty quickly. If you’re confused about life insurance and which plan is right for you, it may be helpful to have a knowledgeable ...

Blog Author: John Demko

Being the primary caregiver for a parent or loved one is difficult, both physically and emotionally. It’s important for caregivers to take care of their own health to prevent burnout and resentment. ...

Blog Author: John Demko

There are some health care costs, such as copayments and deductibles, that are not fully covered by Medicare. One can expect to incur these types of expenses, which is why a Medigap plan may be a ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

If you need to increase your life insurance coverage outside of an enrollment period or above set coverage limits, you may have to undergo a life insurance health exam. That may sound intimidating, ...

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

When you’re newly eligible for Medicare, the options can be overwhelming. What’s the difference between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medigap? How do I know if I need a Medicare ...

Blog Author: Todd Lewison

Eating a healthy diet can be tough at any age, but it’s often especially difficult for seniors. There are many reasons for this. Appetites fluctuate, nutritional needs change, and chronic disease or ...

Blog Author: Kayla Randall

IRMAA stands for Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. In short, IRMAA is a potential extra charge added to your Medicare Part B or Part D premium that is determined based on your income. In ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

When comparing Medicare Part D plans, it’s important to consider all the details. Medicare prescription deductibles are one of the factors that will impact the overall cost of your plan. Here’s what ...

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

Winter is a time for getting cozy indoors, catching up on books and movies, and spending time with loved ones. However, the cold, snow and ice make winter more difficult for all Minnesotans. This is ...

Blog Author: Todd Lewison

What are Medicare Star Ratings? Medicare star ratings rank Medicare plans from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest. Any plan that has lower than 3 stars for three years in a row will be flagged as ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

When you’re enrolling in Medicare or choosing a new Medicare plan, it’s important to understand the options and process. However, we know that Medicare can be confusing! To make it easier, we’re ...

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

There are many health care services that are not covered by Original Medicare. These include vision and preventative dental care, hearing aids, and prescription drug costs, among others. If you need ...

Blog Author: Todd Lewison

The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7. This is when you can join a new Medicare plan or make changes to an existing plan. Unless you experience a qualifying ...

Blog Author: Tom Peterson

What qualifies as durable medical equipment? What type of durable medical equipment (DME) is covered by Medicare? How much will DME cost me? These are questions you might have when figuring out which ...

Blog Author: Kari Mellone

The 2022 Annual Election Period, or AEP, runs from October 15 and December 7. During AEP, Medicare recipients can change their Medicare and prescription drug plans for the following year. Even if ...

Blog Author: Todd Lewison

A Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) isn’t as intimidating as it seems. If you already have a Medicare plan, you will receive an Annual Notice of Change each fall. Your ANOC will have information ...