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Did you know the average family needs $4,000 more in income today to keep up with prices since Jan. 1? Our Panic Proof Retirement IncomeMAX Strategies helps protect you by offering ever-increasing income. Here’s what makes us different: • 200% more income for Long Term Care Costs with no underwriting • Match on your funds of up to 15% from IRA and 401(k)s • Historical double-digit annual returns that are locked in and protected
844-44PANIC | PanicProofRetirement.com | October 2024 Retire With Confidence Divide Your Nest Egg Among Secure Annuity Products
As we face one of the most rugged investment landscapes in memory, including troublesome inflation and unnerving stock-market volatility, guaranteed income for life has never looked better to Americans planning for retirement. Investors’ appetite for a secure retirement helped drive a 19% increase in total U.S. annuity sales in the first six months of 2024 to $215.4 billion, the highest level since data-tracking began in the 1980s, according to LIMRA, an industry trade group. Deferred income annuity sales, which promise a specified income stream starting at a future date, outpaced all other major types of annuities, soaring by 53% year-over-year.
and I often advise clients to avoid putting all their eggs in one basket.
In a compelling example of this powerful strategy, the former Comptroller General of the United States, David M. Walker, described his own portfolio of annuities in my recent video interview with him for my TV show. (You can view an excerpt from this interview on our website.) Asked for his advice on investing for a guaranteed retirement income, Mr. Walker said he and his wife own three types of annuities: one that is indexed to inflation, a second that yields 3% a year regardless of inflation, and a third that is not indexed. “I am a person who likes to lead by example, and one of the first things I did was to make sure that we had guaranteed income to last throughout my and my wife’s lifetimes,” said Mr. Walker, a nationally recognized expert on fiscal responsibility and retirement security. Those annuities, combined with the couple’s Social Security benefits, are enough to ensure a stable, adequate income for the rest of their lives, he said. Some investors use other asset classes as a hedge against inflation. One reason is that income annuities indexed to inflation typically offer a lower income stream. If an income annuity promises $30,000 annually, the same product indexed to inflation might yield $20,000. The higher payout becomes especially significant if the purchaser relies on the annuity to help
cover potential long-term care costs. An annuity guaranteeing $30,000 in annual income would then yield $60,000 — a significant assist. Meanwhile, the income stream from an inflation- indexed annuity may take 10–15 years to catch up with the $30,000 income stream for a comparable product not tied to inflation. By then, retirees in their late 70s or 80s may travel and spend less, and their income requirements may be lower. Some clients invest in the stock market as an inflation hedge instead and use the gains to buy another annuity or a portfolio of dividend-bearing stocks. Our most important goal is finding the right mix of investments for you. If you are seeking a proven route to a confident, secure retirement, we would be happy to help you plan to make your golden years everything you want them to be. Call us today to schedule a complimentary Panic Proof Retirement checkup.
Different types of income annuities offer attractive choices for people planning for
retirement. These products resemble a corporate pension, but they differ in a fundamental way. If you die within a few years after pension payouts start, all of the money set aside for the pension may potentially be lost. In contrast, some income annuity products may provide a death benefit and a steady income stream. Depending on the type of income annuity you choose, these products can also double payouts if the purchaser or their spouse needs help covering long-term care costs. Payouts can begin immediately or at a future date. Also, some contracts are indexed to keep pace with inflation. Every type of income annuity has pros and cons,
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Become a Nature Detective UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF ANIMAL FOOTPRINTS Have you ever discovered a mysterious set of animal tracks? Reading those footprints can be your ticket to uncovering the hidden world of wildlife right under your nose. Whether you’re on a camping trip hoping to spot one of your favorite critters or simply curious about the pawprints you stumbled on at home, we’re here to show you how to become a nature detective. Prepare and Observe You’ll have the best luck spotting tracks or other signs of animal life in places where wildlife is known to frequent. Find watering holes or other areas where animals may feed or gather. Tracks need a suitable medium, like snow, mud, sand, or soft dirt, for them to show. Regardless of where you’re heading, bring a field guide, a map of the area, hiking supplies,
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the fragility of life and the importance of simple precautions. However, for Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon in Toledo, Ohio, these lessons have been etched into his life through personal tragedy and decades of frontline experience. Hoeflinger has dedicated over 25 years to treating patients with traumatic brain and spinal injuries and has seen firsthand the devastating consequences of neglecting personal safety. Driven by his loss — the death of his 18-year-old son in a drunk-driving accident — Hoeflinger has made it his mission to educate the public on the most common factors that contribute to these life-altering injuries. Simple Steps to Enhance Personal Safety HEED THE WARNINGS
and tools for tracking, like a ruler, magnifying glass, and a camera. Count the Toes Your main clues to the owner of these natural calling cards are the number of toe and claw marks on the print. Canines, like wolves, and felines, like cougars, all have four toes, but you can see a significant difference between their claws. Cats have retractable claws, so their pawprints won’t always have claws. In contrast, birds have distinctive tracks with three long, skinny, forward-facing toes.
Alcohol Consumption At the top of Hoeflinger’s list of concerns is alcohol
consumption. “Without a doubt, alcohol is number one,” he states emphatically. “So many cases I see when I’m on trauma call are related to alcohol.” The link between alcohol and traumatic injuries is well-documented, with studies showing that alcohol impairs judgment and motor skills, leading to a higher incidence of accidents and injuries. Late Nights Hoeflinger’s second warning targets the dangers of late nights, stating that “nothing good ever happens after midnight.” He explains that many incidents, including fights and accidents, occur in the late hours when people are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and less vigilant about their safety. Not Wearing Seat Belts Another critical factor Hoeflinger emphasizes is the importance of wearing seat belts. “Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, always wear your seat belt,” he urges. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, failure to wear seat belts remains a leading cause of death and serious injury in car accidents. Lack of Situational Awareness Finally, Hoeflinger stresses the need for heightened situational awareness, particularly for older adults at higher risk of falls. “Pay attention to your surroundings,” he advises. “I can’t tell you the number of people, especially elderly people, I see who accidentally fell down a flight of stairs and ended up paralyzed.”
Identify Your Prey When you have identified what animal family left the print behind, you can begin to home in on its exact species. Use a small ruler to measure the size of the track to give you clues. A wolf, for example, has similar prints to a dog, but they are about 2 inches wider. Context is also a crucial factor when you’re tracking. Think about the animals that live in the area. Would there be any domesticated dogs in the woods where you are hiking? Document your tracks with photos and notes in a nature journal. If you’re still unsure, go online and look at various animal tracks. You may find what you’re looking for! So, next time you stumble upon animal tracks, get out your ruler and camera! Those prints could lead you on a great adventure!
By heeding his advice, we can all help reduce the incidence of severe injuries and fatalities and perhaps even change the world for the better, one life at a time.
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Stars Share Their Sleep Advice
Have you ever struggled to fall back asleep after being awoken by the incessant barking of your neighbor’s chihuahua? How about those nights when your mind is too busy replaying every embarrassing memory of yours on a loop rather than drifting off into unconsciousness? If you sometimes find it hard to get to sleep, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 15% of adults have trouble falling asleep. Some of those adults are celebrities , and they have great tips to help us get to sleep! Oprah Winfrey The entrepreneur and television personality Oprah Winfrey has a tried-and-tested method for ensuring a good night’s rest: a hot bath. Science agrees! According to a study published
in Sleep Medicine Reviews, a warm shower or bath can improve sleep duration, efficiency, and quality. You don’t need Oprah’s billions to help you sleep soundly — just fill that bathtub with warm, sudsy water! Eva Mendes If you want to sleep like a baby — or like Eva Mendes — you might want to pick up a white noise machine. These devices help you drift to sleep on a wave of peaceful background noise. Gwyneth Paltrow We are all guilty of having a late-night snack from time to time. You know you’re in trouble when you are down to just Cap’n Crunch Oops! All Berries cereal in the pantry, and you’re still making yourself a bowl out of sleepy boredom. But that midnight munching impacts your sleep
more than you may realize. That is why actress and business owner Gwyneth Paltrow has taken to eating an early dinner to prepare herself for bed. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows that eating within three hours of bedtime increases the chance you will wake up in the middle of the night by about 10%. Eating more than three hours before bedtime may be very helpful if you want uninterrupted rest.
Pumpkin Pie French Toast
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil, or as needed • 1/2 cup half-and-half • 1/4 cup canned pumpkin purée • 3 large eggs • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 8 slices day-old bread • Maple syrup, to taste
Directions
1. Lightly oil a skillet and heat over medium heat. 2. Whisk half-and-half, pumpkin purée, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice together in a bowl. Stir in walnuts until evenly distributed. 3. Place 1 slice of bread in the bowl and let it soak briefly to coat both sides. Lift bread to let excess liquid drip back into the bowl, then transfer to the hot skillet. 4. Cook for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until done. 5. Stir batter to redistribute walnuts and repeat with other slices of bread, cooking in several batches if necessary. 6. Serve warm with maple syrup.
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Chart Your Path to Guaranteed Income for Life Your Guide to Wildlife Tracking Fun A Neurosurgeon’s 4 Crucial Tips Celebrity Tips for a Better Night’s Rest Pumpkin Pie French Toast Fascinating Facts to Make Your Bones Rattle
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Exploring the Marvels of Your Skeletal System! ‘BONE’ VOYAGE
Make no bones about it; our skeletons are a real rib-tickler of fascinating facts! From the impressive strength of our thigh bones to the tiny marvels of the inner ear, your bones are the unsung heroes of your body. So, rest your bones in a comfy chair because we are about to dig up some of the most shocking skeletal secrets. Babies have more bones than adults. Although babies are tiny, their bodies have many bones in a pudgy, little package. Human babies have about 300 bones
of our 206 adult bones are in our hands and feet! Each foot has 26 bones, and our hands both have 27 bones, which is 106 bones. Our hands even have a bonus bone called the pisiform, located on the outside edge of our wrists. The funny bone is a nerve. Have you ever hit your funny bone? Well, you are not hitting a bone at all. This area on the body is part of the ulnar nerve, which goes from your neck to your hand. Bone, muscle, and fat
compared to an adult’s 206. Many extra bones are entirely or partly made of cartilage, allowing the baby to stay flexible in the womb. Over time, the bones fuse and decrease in number. Fracture rates are highest when kids are around ages 11– 15, the critical time for significant growth spurts thanks to growth plates that close as we age.
typically protect nerves, but a small portion of this nerve on the back of your elbow is more exposed. So, when you hit your funny bone, named for its location near the humerus bone (a homophone of “humorous”), you’re really bumping into the ulnar nerve. So, now that you’ve “boned up” on the most fascinating fossil facts, give your skeleton a little nod for the incredible things it does to support you and keep you moving!
Half of our bones are in our feet and hands.
Did you know that many of our bones are in the smaller extremities of our body? Nearly half
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