Ray's Retire Right Report Retire Right — Retire Smart! Raymond T. Martin, Retirement Coach and Medicare Planning
May 2026 To all my readers who are mothers or mother figures, I wish you a happy Mother’s Day! And I’ve packed this issue with facts and funnies!
May is "National Salsa Month" May 8th – 14th is "National Hug Holiday Week" And May 27th is "Cellophane Tape Day"
Out of Right Field In 1997, an 11-year-old boy named Chris Scala was going to dress up as Babe Ruth for a school project on famous Americans. When his 87-year -old great-grandmother, Mrs. Bevilaque, heard about it, she told him she had an old ball in her attic that had been signed by Ruth. It had been given to her husband, Charles, in 1927 as a prize for making the New Jersey all-state high school team. A search of the attic turned up an old box of discarded baseballs. One was signed by Babe Ruth and seemed to be the very ball Ruth had hit into the right field bleachers for a home run on the Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. The inscription read, "Home Run Ball World Series "Babe" Ruth Oct 15, 1923" . After authentication, it sold at auction in 1999 for $126,500. That lucky find was a home run!
What was astronaut Neil Armstrong’s annual salary when he walked on the moon in 1969? (See the Answer Area.)
Medigap Rate Increases Medicare Supplement (Medigap) rate increases are becoming a growing concern nationwide. Many policyholders seeing larger-than -normal premium hikes heading into 2026. These increases are largely driven by higher healthcare utilization, rising medical costs, and unfavorable loss ratios for insurance carriers. After COVID, many deferred procedures—like joint replacements—were completed in 2023 and 2024, leading to a surge in claims and increased insurer payouts. Insurance companies must justify rate increases to state regulators, often pointing to claims exceeding premium intake (loss ratios). When claims rise across a block of business, premiums increase for everyone in that pool—not just based on individual health. Additionally, general inflation, higher Part B costs, and age-attained pricing structures all contribute to annual increases. So, what can you do? First, review your options regularly. In most states, switching plans may require medical underwriting, meaning your health can affect approval. However, states like California offer a birthday rule, allowing you to switch to a similar or lesser plan without underwriting around your birthday. With rate increases becoming more common, proactive shopping and timing your move correctly can make a significant difference in long -term retirement healthcare costs. Email info@WeRetireSmart.com for a review!
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