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MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM Health Matters
MAY/JUNE 2024
STRENGTHENING THE BOND OF FAMILY Stronger Together
“I hope we can all appreciate everything our families do for us and continue loving and supporting one another.”
Families, a day set aside for reflection on what family truly means and how it shapes our lives. For me, family is the foundation of support, guidance, and love. As well, having a supportive partner makes all the difference in the world. My wife is amazing in every way, and her presence offers me companionship, endless support, encouragement, and love. She is the glimmer of hope I always hold onto — having her as my wife is one of my greatest gifts, along with our beautiful child. My wife, originally from Virginia, relocated to be with my family and me. She and her family’s support has been a life changer; with a small child, my in-laws have been such a great help in ensuring our 5-year-old can enjoy good quality time with them. Family bonds are more important than ever in today’s fast-paced world, where everyone is coming and going. Reflecting on my roles as a parent to a 22-year-old and a 5-year-old, I cherish the bonds formed through fatherhood. Both of my children teach me something new every day. They have made me wiser, reinforcing the importance of savoring
each moment as time passes. With this accelerating life, children are becoming young adults so quickly. As my father approaches his 81st birthday and I near my 50th, I am so grateful for the support I receive daily from those I love. I realize how precious time is; it is so easy to get caught up in daily life’s hustle and bustle, and we often take for granted the beauty of life. Raising my children has not been easy, and I now understand the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This extended support system offers many different perspectives and resources to help with the challenges we face every day as parents. The importance of family should never be overlooked, as it serves as the groundwork for guidance in shaping our identities and future generations. My family offers me a sense of belonging, ensuring I never feel forsaken. I hope we can all appreciate everything our families do for us and continue loving and supporting one another.
We are stronger together. My appreciation for family deepened during my military service in Missouri. I spent four years away from home, unable to return when I wanted to. This separation was a constant reminder of the importance of family and only strengthened my desire to be close to the ones I love as much as possible. After completing my military service in 1998, I joined my father’s insurance firm, where we worked together for a rewarding 16 years. Having grown up witnessing my father’s dedication to the business, I believe his wisdom is something I will always carry. Despite the professional collaboration, my family inspires me every day. I am grateful to live just a few miles from my parents and sister; our closeness is my greatest gift. May 15 marked International Day of
—Jason Mackey
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As the cost of higher education continues to rise, families are increasingly turning to 529 plans as a tax-advantaged tool to save for their children’s future educational expenses. However, navigating the intersection of 529 plans and gift taxes requires careful consideration and understanding. The FAFSA Simplification Act, an overhaul of the processes and systems used to award student aid, will become finalized in the 2024-2025 school year. Previously, distributions from a grandparent’s 529 plan were reported as untaxed student income, which could reduce student eligibility by up to 50% of the distribution amount — a significant penalty. For example, under the old rules, a $10,000 529 plan distribution could reduce your grandchild’s aid eligibility by $5,000. With the new streamlined FAFSA, there’s a difference in how distributions are treated compared to previous years, giving grandparents a positive advantage. On the 2024-25 FAFSA, students are no longer required to report cash gifts from a grandparent or contributions from a grandparent-owned 529 savings plan. Because of this, grandparents can now use a 529 plan to fund a grandchild’s education without impacting their financial aid eligibility. In fact, with the new FAFSA form, a student’s total income is based only on data from federal income tax returns via the IRS. Therefore, any cash support, no matter the source, will not negatively impact financial aid eligibility on the FAFSA. However, at over 200 private institutions that use the CSS profile to award financial aid, grandparents with 529 plans will still be considered. Additionally, 529 plans are subject to gift taxes when they exceed certain thresholds. For 2024, the annual gift tax limit is $18,000 or $36,000 for married couples. This limit applies to each person who is receiving a gift. This means that you can donate up to $18,000 or $36,000 per grandchild each year without owing a federal gift tax. STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE Gift Taxes Decoded
“I feel like you’re looking out for me and what is the best coverage for my situation. There is a feeling of trust.” –David Schultz “We’ve already passed your info on to three friends who are starting to navigate this What Our Clients Think!
complicated system.” –Angela Sudermann
“Jason and his staff have been a great help in making sure that I’m getting the most out
of my benefits.” –Marta Rodela
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BETTER LATE THAN NEVER PUMPING IRON FOR SENIORS
Pumping iron at the gym isn’t just for the young. Weight training offers many benefits for seniors, from strengthening bones and muscles to improving balance and mobility. Embracing a plan of lifting weights can empower older adults to maintain independence, vitality, and a higher quality of life. Bone health is crucial to overall health, and going to the gym, even in old age, is a long- term process. It is recommended to start with controlled resistance training and then move on to free weights, emphasizing effective and safe muscle-building techniques. I still do this at age 64. I have had a trainer since
2006, as I know myself well enough to see that unless I have someone keeping me accountable, I won’t do the work. I am not trying to become “bigger” or even stronger. Rather, I want to maintain muscle mass to be active in retirement. When you lift weights, your heart needs to pump hard to allow blood flow to travel to the muscles because that is the only way nutrients can get there. I played football in college, so I have lifted weights before and am experienced in doing so. From about age 25–45, I didn’t lift at all, but I recently started back with weight training to feel better and keep in shape.
If you have never lifted weights before, I doubt you will begin now, but if you want to start, I recommend having a like-minded friend work out with you or get a trainer. Even now, some days I wonder why I am doing this, but I feel better afterward, and I know I should do the work rather than sleep another half-hour in the morning. Also, I only work out three days a week. It’s not every day, and I don’t lift heavy weights. I am not looking to improve my bench press, just my overall health! —Tim Hanbury
GRILLED RED CURRY BEEF SATAY WITH PEANUT SAUCE
WORD SEARCH
Inspired by StarTribune.com
INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 lb flank steak • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk • 2 tbsp lime juice • 1–3 tbsp Thai red curry paste • 1 tbsp fish sauce
DIRECTIONS
1. Freeze flank steak for 30 minutes. Cut crosswise, against the grain, into thin slices. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, lime juice, curry paste, and fish sauce. Add steak and toss to coat. Cover and chill for 8 hours. 3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut milk, curry paste, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Bring to a gentle boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peanut butter and stir until well blended. Remove from heat and add lime juice. 4. Thread the marinated meat onto 12 long skewers. Grill until beef is medium rare, 1–2 minutes per side. 5. Transfer satay to a platter and serve with peanut sauce.
For sauce: •
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1–2 tbsp Thai red curry paste 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp fish sauce 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
BLOOM CINCO COMIC DERBY EMERALD GEMINI
GRADUATION LILY MEMORIAL MOTHER
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• • •
RENEWAL VETERANS
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1 tbsp lime juice
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
MILITARY SERVICE TAUGHT VALUE OF FAMILY
2
UNDERSTANDING 529 PLANS
WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK
3
THE BENEFITS OF LIFTING WEIGHTS FOR OLDER ADULTS
GRILLED RED CURRY BEEF SATAY WITH PEANUT SAUCE
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WHEN A SHARK BECAME A LIFESAVER
THE UNBELIEVABLE SHARK ENCOUNTER That Saved a Man’s Life
Sharks are powerful, violent creatures. They can have thousands of razor-sharp teeth. They swim about 12 mph when attacking — twice the speed of a (very fast) human swimmer. The mere presence of a shark is enough to close down a beach and frighten movie audiences.
Apparently, some sharks are different. One shark even saved a man’s life.
Not surprisingly, blunt force trauma was causing his pain, befitting a large shark ramming him in the back. However, this wasn’t the only diagnosis he received that day, nor was it the most severe. While examining Eugene, doctors discovered a walnut-sized tumor on his right kidney. They quickly rolled him into the operating room and removed the cancerous tumor before it could progress. Whether the shark intended it or not, it may have saved Eugene’s life. Undetected, the tumor might have metastasized and spread to the rest of his body. Without that attack, he may not have known about the cancer before it was too late. Because of that fact, we are confident the shark is a hero, whether it knows it or not.
Eugene and his family were enjoying a warm summer day in Huntington Beach, California. As he swam in the ocean, enjoying the cool waters of the Pacific, he was struck by a sudden tremendous force, pushing his neck backward. He later described the sensation as “instant whiplash.” After a difficult and painful swim, he reached the shore. Eugene’s daughter asked why his back was so bloody. He was shocked to find a giant gash across the center of his back, as well as several teeth marks on one side. The family headed home as lifeguards closed the beach, fearing more attacks. That evening, Eugene was in severe pain from the injury and was rushed to the hospital.
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