Ray's Retire Right Report Retire Right — Retire Smart! Raymond T. Martin, Retirement Coach and Medicare Planning
September 2026 Happy autumn! I hope you had a great summer! This month I am bringing you a bit of history and some helpful tips. Hope it makes you smile!
September is "All American Breakfast Month" September 4th – 10th is "National Waffle Week" And September 1st is "Chicken Boy Day"
Minor Mayor
Keep an Eye on Your ANOC in the Mailbox This September September is an important month for anyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan. That’s when your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) should arrive - and this year, you’ll want to pay particularly close attention. Your ANOC explains what will change with your plan for 2027, including premiums, copays, deductibles, drug coverage, and other benefits. Even if you’ve been happy with your plan, don’t assume everything will stay the same.
In 2012 Bobby Tufts was elected mayor of Dorset, Minnesota. His first official action was to decree that ice cream be at the top of the food pyramid. When reporters asked, he stated that his favorite flavor was chocolate . . . and vanilla, strawberry, cotton candy and rainbow sherbet. Not a surprising choice as Bobby was just three-years old. The town of Dorset, with a population of only 28, has no government. The position of mayor is ceremonial and selected by drawing names to serve a one-year term. His name was drawn again the next year at 4 years old. He lost his bid for a third consecutive term to Eric Mueller, a 16-year-old who won when his name was drawn from the ballot box during the annual Taste of Dorset festival. Anyone can vote; ballot boxes are in stores around town. The cost is $1 which funds to festival.
One area we’ll be watching closely is Part D prescription drug premiums. Beginning with the 2025 plan year, Medicare introduced temporary premium stabilization measures designed to help limit significant increases in stand-alone Part D premiums as major changes to the prescription drug program took effect. Those measures continued into 2026, but CMS has announced that the program will end after 2026.
What was Groucho Marx’s first name?
Visit www.weretiresmart.com for updates and resources as we get closer to Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period.
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What does that mean for 2027? We could see some Part D plans increase their monthly premiums, although the actual impact will vary considerably by plan and location. That makes reviewing your ANOC - and comparing your options during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7) especially important this year. Our advice? Don’t panic when your ANOC arrives, but don’t throw it away either! More information about 2027 plans and premiums will become available as we get closer to October.
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