Ray's Retire Right Report Retire Right — Retire Smart! Raymond T. Martin, Retirement Coach and Medicare Planning
April 2026 Happy April! This month hosts Earth Day and Arbor Day. But did you know it is also the month to celebrate pecans and skill toys?
April is "National Pecan Month" April 9th – 17th is "Yo-Yo and Skill Toys Week" And April 3rd is "Don’t Go to Work Unless It’s Fun Day"
She Won by a Comma Andrea Cammelleri’s understanding of comma usage got her out of a parking ticket. She was cited for having her pickup truck on a street overnight. The sign said that parking was banned for “any motor vehicle camper, trailer, farm implement and/or non-motorized vehicle.” Her pickup truck did not fit the description. so she figured she was okay. The city of West Jefferson, Ohio disagreed and issued a ticket. She fought it on the grounds that a comma was needed between the words “motor vehicle” and “camper”. The case lasted more than a year and was finally resolved at the court of appeals. The judge ruled that “’motor vehicle camper’ has a clear definition that does not produce an absurd result’… The village should amend the ordinance and insert a comma.” Hooray for punctuation!
Who was the first sports great to have his number retired by his team? (See the Answer Area.)
Are Your Medicare Premiums Tax Deductible? Many retirees are surprised to learn that certain healthcare expenses—including some Medicare premiums—may qualify as tax-deductible medical expenses. Understanding how these deductions work can help you better manage healthcare costs in retirement. In many cases, premiums for Medicare Part B, Part D, and some Medicare Advantage plans may be included as qualified medical expenses when filing your taxes. However, these deductions typically apply only if you itemize deductions on your tax return and your total medical expenses exceed a certain percentage of your adjusted gross income. For some retirees, especially those who are selfemployed, Medicare premiums may also qualify for a self-employed health insurance deduction. This can allow certain individuals to deduct premiums without needing to itemize. While these deductions can potentially provide tax savings, the rules can vary depending on your personal financial situation. That’s why it’s important to keep records of your healthcare expenses and consult with a qualified tax professional when preparing your return. Taking the time to understand how healthcare costs and taxes work together can help retirees make more informed financial decisions and keep more of their retirement income working for them.
© 2026 by CCS. All Rights Reserved.