BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter gwilliams@lewistownsentinel.com
REEDSVILLE – Geisinger opened its 65 Forward Health Center in 2023 to better serve its older adult patients. Now, it has brought all of its services from the former Geisinger Medical Clinic Big Valley and Geisinger Pharmacy Belleville to one convenient location: the Geisinger Medical Clinic Reedsville.
The Big Valley primary care, laboratory and pharmacy services have moved from their Belleville location to 10 Gateway Drive, off Route 322 in Reedsville. The Reedsville clinic
opened in August 2022 and includes primary care, lab, radiology services and an on-site pharmacy as well as
the Geisinger 65 Forward Health Center.
“We’re thankful to be caring for all of our pa-
Riverdance 30th Anniversary Tour
American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA
Sa, Mar 1 $199
Philadelphia Flower Show Gardens of Tomorrow
W, Mar 5 $195
Cherry Blossoms & Kite Festival
Washington, DC
Sa, Mar 29 $159
Deadly Derby Murder Mystery Mount Hope
Estate Manheim, PA
W, Apr 1
Ocean City, MD
May 18-23
Danny O’Donnell
Lancaster, PA
Sa, Jun 7
Forrest County Big Foot Festival
Marienville, PA
Sa, Jun 7
$195
Pittsburgh Pirates v NY Yankees HOME OPENER! Pittsburgh, PA Fri, Apr 4
Around the World Embassy Tour
Washington, DC
Sa, May 3
$145
$159
Participants can travel the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion and music of different coun-tries. In the past, visitors have been treated to karate demonstrations, sari wrapping les-sons, dance performances and more! This idea is still devel-oping and more information
Mackinac Island & More
May 12-17
*limited seats available!
$699
$239
$75
Live music, local crafts, food vendors and more!
Pittsburgh Pirates v Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh, PA
Su, Jun 8
$125
Mount Rushmore & The Badlands
June 10-15
Cape Cod & Plymouth
June 16-20
Summertime in DC
June 20-22
$3,999
$1,289
$799
Grand Ole Opry 100th Anniversary Celebration
Nashville, TN
Aug 4-9 $ 2,499
tients from the Big Valley area in Reedsville,” said Michelle Holt, associate vice president of Geisinger Community Medicine. “One of Geisinger’s top priorities is making sure our patients receive high-quality care in modern and convenient locations.”
The 31,724-square-foot Reedsville facility offers a total of 34 exam rooms, with 24 designated for primary care and 10 to serve 65 Forward’s older adult patients.
Primary care providers: David Braum, DO; Natalia Hanson, MD; Catherine Michaels, PA-C; and Shawn Miller, CRNP, have welcomed Lowell Stoltzfus, MD; Danielle Rheel, PA-C, and their entire care team
to the Reedsville location.
The clinic is accepting new patients of all ages and is open:
—Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
—Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
—Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To contact the primary 4565.
The Reedsville medical lab and imaging services to 4 p.m., with walk-ins accepted. Patients also do not need to be Geisinger Medical Clinic Reedsville patients — the site accepts orders from other providers to use lab, ultrasound, X-ray and other services.
The Reedsville Pharmacy team continues to
provide all the same services that its patients and community members have come to expect in its new location, including:
—Free home delivery of prescriptions and over-thecounter medications — get business days.
—Curbside pickup for prescriptions and over-thecounter items, with prices often lower than large retail chains.
—Medication counseling and education.
—Help with insurance
The pharmacy’s hoursday through Friday. To contact the pharmacy, call
Zoo & Glow: A Philly Day Trip, Philadelphia Zoo
Chinese Lantern Festival,Philadelphia, PA
Sa, Aug 9
$199
Fresh Flavors Tour, Lancaster County, PA
We Aug 13
Explore the Outer Banks
Sep 22-26
Music Heritage Tour
St. Louis, MO • Branson, MO Memphis, TN • Nashville, TN
Sep 25-Oct 5
$169
$1,359
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Murder Mystery Weekend Villa Roma Resort, NY
Oct 24-25
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An interactive Halloween Murder Mystery Weekend!
NYC Do As You Please Weekend
Nov 7-9
Hotel conveniently located in midtown, just a short walk from Times Square and other popular attractions. Bus
$739
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Join us for a memorable journey to Music City as we celebrate a century of country music magic at the Grand Ole Opry! This special bus tour offers an unforgettable hospitality.
Tours and More...
Noah 30th Anniversary Sight & Sound Theatre, Lancaster, PA
Wed, May 7 (11am) $249 Wed, Jun 18 (3pm) $249 Sat, Aug 2 (3pm) $249 Tue, Sep 23 (3pm) $249 Sat, Oct 11 (11am) $249 Fri, Nov 14 (3pm) $249
New York City Do As You Please, New York, NY
May 17
18
Dec 6
Mount Rushmore & The Badlands June 10-15
$3,999
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through South Da-kota’s breathtaking landscapes, where history and nature intertwine. This tour takes you to the iconic Mount Rush-more, a monumental tribute to American democracy, and the stunning Badlands National Park, renowned for its unique geological formations and rich wildlife. Includes ground transportation to Philadelphia, pre-night hotel, air and transportation in South Dakota.
Photo courtesy of GEISINGER
Route 322.
PRIME TIME
Motion
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Friday, Jan. 24 – 10 a.m. crosswords; and 11 a.m. care and share.
Wednesday, Jan. 29 –10 a.m. Cprs; and 11 a.m. center meeting.
Thursday, Jan. 30 – 10 a.m. sight and sound video; and noon to 1 p.m. Card Players Day.
Friday, Jan. 31 – Nursing Program; 11 a.m. car and share; and noon Baptist Church.
Milroy Senior Community Center 283 Broad St., Milroy
Thursday, Jan. 23 – 9:15 a.m. bingo: take the pot; and 12:30 p.m. group exercise.
Friday, Jan. 24 – Birthday Dessert Day.
Monday, Jan. 27 – 9:15 a.m. Pinochle Club.
Tuesday, Jan. 28 – 12:30 p.m. group exercise.
Wednesday, Jan. 29 –games of choice.
Thursday, Jan. 30 – 9:15 a.m. bingo: bring a prize; and 12:30 p.m. group exercise;
Friday, Jan. 31 – Nursing Students presentation.
For more information about the centers or their events, visit www.mymjrsc.com.
Locally Owned by Adam & Jessica Dimm
Administrator Robin Naylor
CHRISTINE BENZ Morningstar
New retirees frequently rhapsodize about the joys of tossing their alarm clocks into the trash and -
gratifying. But if they’re honest, most new retirees
the retirement transition to be a little jarring.
While retirees are often counseled to estimate that they’ll spend 75% to 80% of their working incomes in retirement, a paper by David Blanchett, formerly of Morningstar and now at PGIM, found that higher-income, higher-saving households may need just 60%, or even less, of their preretirement income during retirement, while lower-earning, lower-saving households may need closer to 90%.
-
cast your actual income-replacement needs, so here are the key steps to take as you do so:
Step 1: Find a realistic baseline for your income
If you’re close to retirement and seek to maintain a standard of living in retirement similar to what you had while you were working, using your current salary as a baseline is reasonable. But if you’re younger — say, in your 40s — it may be wise to nudge up your baseline income for retirement-planning purposes, because your current income may not want to spend when you eventually retire. Not only are you apt to receive cost-of-living adjustments as the years go by, but career gains could also lead to a higher salary over time, which you
may want to “replace” in retirement. As Blanchett noted in his paper, the average college-educated individual will make a 50% higher salary at retirement than he or she did at age 25. Gains in salary over time are less pronounced for people with lower levels of educational attainment.
Step 2: Subtract your savings rate
Take a look at what percentage of your salary you’re saving — or expect to save by the time you retire —and subtract that from your baseline salary amount.
It’s typically easier for high-income individuals to save a greater percentage of their salaries during working years than low-income individuals.
A household saving 20% of its income will see its income-replacement rate drop to 80% right out of the box, even without factoring in any planned lifestyle changes, such as downsizing homes.
If you’re several years from retirement, it may be that you’ll kick up your savings rate if your income grows.
Step 3: Subtract any tax reductions
Because they’re no longer paying Social Security or Medicare taxes, many people realize tax savings when they retire. Those gained savings tend to be more pronounced for higher-income workers than lower-income ones.
may see a bigger percentage drop in taxes in retirement than lower-income households because they have greater control over their taxable income now that they’re no longer earning a paycheck; the less they pull from their portfolios, the less they’re taxed on.
Housing costs are another line item with the potential to change substantially in retirement. Is your plan to come into retirement without a mortgage, for example? Or perhaps you intend to relocate or downsize in some fashion? Even though the main goal of downsizing may be to add the home-sale proceeds to your retirement kitty, it
they may be more substantial.
Don’t assume a reduction in lifestyle-related expenses in retirement without crunching the numbers. A heavy travel schedule or an expensive hobby or other expenditures could offset cost reductions on line items like food.
Step 6: Add higher health care costs
matically toward the end of your or your partner’s lives.
Step 7: Add a fudge factor
can have the salutary effect of reducing property taxes and lowering outlays for insurance, utilities, and maintenance. As a senior homeowner, you may also be able to qualify for a reduction in your property taxes, depending on where you live.
Step 5: Factor in lifestyle changes
Retirement-planning guides often urge retirees to factor in changes in other expenses, such as commuting, clothes for work, and meals out while on the job or due to busy work schedules. For some households, these changes may be minimal, but for others,
Health care is one major area where retirees are likely to see an increase in expenses. A recent Fidelity study showed that the average lifetime out-of-pocket healthcare outlay for a 65-year-old retiring today would be nearly $160,000, even include long-termcare expenditures. Higher healthcare costs later in life are the key factor in what Blanchett calls “The Retirement Spending Smile.” That’s the tendency for household expenses to be on the high side just after retirement, dip in mid-retirement, then head back up toward the end of life as healthcare costs increase for some older adults. If you’re going without long-term-care insurance, your household’s total healthcare-related outlay could spike dra-
Working through each of these steps may get you closer to your actual income-replacement rate. At the same time, it’s worthwhile to approach the exercise with the knowledge that there’s much about your future spending that you can’t foretell. Wild cards such as long-termcare costs, random home repair bills and providing help to adult children or families can unexpectedoutlays in retirement. The potential for those unanticipated expenses argues for nudging your own income-replacement rate a bit higher to allow for some wiggle room in your planning.
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the investment research website Morningstar. Christine Benz is the director of -
ment planning at Morning-nance content, go to https:// www.morningstar.com/per-
Morningstar/AP
What older adults need to know about vaccines for a healthy new year
Family Features
Around the new year, many people set goals for better health. People ages 65 and older can kick off a healthy new year by
COVID-19 and RSV. These respiratory infections can become more dangerous as people age. Vaccines can help older people risk less severe illness and do more of what they enjoy.
Those who provide care for older adults can support their health by helping them get vaccinated now. That’s especially important because older people have a higher risk of getting very sick or even and RSV.
Vaccines help protect older adults from serious illness
As people get older, their decreases, putting them at higher risk for complications if they get a respiratory infection. They are more likely to get severely ill and need medical or hospiand RSV. Those living in long-term care facilities often have health issues that RSV serious risks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges all people ages 6 months and older COVID-19 vaccines.
Those ages 75 and older - or ages 60 and older with certain health issues or who live in a nursing home - should get one dose of an RSV vaccine if they haven’t had it before. It’s and COVID-19 (and RSV, for those who are eligible) all at the same time. Any side effects from the vaccines are usually mild and
vaccinated.
go away on their own in a few days.
Get vaccinated for a healthy new year
Vaccines are a great way for older people to start the year by protecting their health. Most deaths from
in people ages 65 and older, and the risk grows with age. However, vaccines cut your risk of being in the by about half and for RSV by about 70%, according to the CDC.
Those who look after older loved ones can help them avoid severe respiratory illness by helping them get vaccinated. In addition to getting vaccinated, there
are other ways to help prevent serious illness. When around others indoors, use fans or open windows for better ventilation. Wearing a mask, using physical distancing and washing your hands often can also help. You can use home tests to check for COVID-19 if you have symptoms. Visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore to learn more
RSV vaccines. Order your free COVID-19 test kits (up to four per household) at COVIDTests.gov. Talk with your doctor about which vaccines are right for you or an older adult you care for. Or go to vaccines.gov to get started you.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
Those who provide care for older adults can support their health by helping them get
Wealth of Geeks
PRIME TIME
This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
Episcopal Gardens
APARTMENTS
• INDEPENDENT LIVING designed for persons aged
• INDEPENDENT LIVING designed for persons aged 62 & over and qualified persons with disabilities
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• AFFORDABLE rent is based on 30% of income, new energy efficient windows
• PET FRIENDLY small house pets are welcome (policies enforced)
• PET FRIENDLY small house pets are welcome (policies enforced)
• PEACEFUL quiet country setting with social activities.
• PEACEFUL quiet country setting with social activities, weekly grocery shopping trips, monthly “FUN” trips and more.
LIAM GIBSON
Wealth of Geeks
In a recent NIRS survey of working-age Americans, 79% agree the United States is in a retirement savings crisis.
Americans’ retirement ‘magic number’ hits record high
CHHAVI AGARWAL Wealth of Geeks
Americans’ ideal retirement savings target reaches unprecedented heights,tion rates. Northwestern Mutual says future retirees’ current target of $1.46 million is more than twice the amount they thought pandemic started.
The life insurance company recently released their 2024 Planning & Progress Study, part of their proprietary research series that explores Americans’ attitudes, behaviors and perspectives across a broad set of issues impacting security.
“People’s ‘magic number’ to retire comfortably has exploded to an all-time high, and the gap between their goals and progress has never been wider. Inexpectations for retirement savings, and putting the pressure on to plan and stay disciplined,” explains Aditi Javeri GokhaPresident of Retail Investments and Head of Institutional Investments at Northwestern Mutual.
“Making a ‘magic number’ appear isn’t about waving a wand; it’s about using time-tested techniques and learning from a skilled advisor.”
In every demographic,parities between individuals’ retirement savings goals and their current savings.
How Much Has It Changed
tion rate of around 3%. The arbitrary “magic number” skyrocketed 53% in just -
parture from the $951,000 target reported in 2020.
Breaking it down by generation, Gen Z and millennials anticipate requiring over $1.6 million for a comfortable retirement. Meanwhile, high-net-worth individuals — those with over $1 million in investable assets — speculate they will need nearly $4 million.
While the typical U.S. adult’s retirement savings declined from $89,300 in 2023 to $88,400 in 2024, savings remain notably lower than the 2019 peak of $98,800.
Gen Z Starts Saving Early
The research reveals, on average, Americans start saving for retirement around age 31. However, Gen Z begins saving much sooner, at age 22, nearly a decade earlier. In contrast, boomers and older generations state they started 15 years later, around age 37.
Millennials and Gen Xers began their retirement savings journey at ages 27 and 31, respectively.
With a head start — nearly a decade earlier than previous generations — Gen Z hopes they’ll be able to retire sooner. This foresight will likely bene-ations after, as three in 10 American millennials and Gen Z respondents report they might live to age 100.
“These numbers tell a fascinating story aboutnancial planning that has taken shape in America,” explains Javeri Gokhale.
“Young people today recognize the value of retirement planning and building wealth early on in life
Today, American adults estimate they’ll require $1.46 million for a comfortable retirement, marking a 15% surge from last year’s -
cant head start over their parents and grandparents. At the same time, Gen Z is signaling that they plan post-career lives. The good news is that they are investing earlier so they can save the money they need to enjoy it.”
The research explores pressing challenges associated with retirement planning and shows that baby boomers and Gen Xers lackparedness.
How to Better Prepare for Retirement
There are many helpful ways to stay abreast of retirement planning. Utilizing savings strategies, incorporating online services, or communicating with professionals can inform retirement preparations, boost bank balances, and bolster economic knowledge and market understanding.
Start Tax Planning
Only three in 10 (30%) Americans have a plan to minimize the taxes they pay on their retirement savings.
“Putting money into a 401K may not be enough to retire comfortably if address the impact of taxes on retirement income,” says Javeri Gokhale. “Most people don’t realize that their retirement income may be taxed about 20% or 30% when they withdraw and spend it. When they recognize the impact, it’s often too late for them to adjust.”
Respondents’ top 10 strategies employed include:
Making strategic withdrawals from traditional and Roth accounts to stay
within a lower tax bracket (32%).Utilizing a mix of traditional and Roth retirement accounts (30%). Making strategic charitable donations to reduce taxable income (24%). Taking advantage of a Health Savings Account (HSA) or other tax-advantaged healthcare account (23%).Using products like permanent life insurance or annuities for their tax
Roth conversions before taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) or Social Security (19%).Em-ble distributions from an IRA (17%).Contributing to other tax-advantaged accounts, such as a 529 plan (14%).Leveraging the basis paid into the cash value of permanent life insurance to stay within a lower tax bracket (13%).Taking ad-
gevity Annuity Contract (QLAC) to set aside funds for later in retirement (13%).
Put More Into Instruments
In 2024, younger employees are limited to contributing $23,000 to their 401(k) s and $7,000 to their IRAs. However, individuals aged 50 and above can contribute up to $30,500 to a 401(k) and up to $8,000 to an IRA.
Get a Side Hustle
Portfolio development and retirement savings are stability, but exploring additional avenues to boost your earnings, such as a side hustle, can be bento boost income without the red tape and time constraints of a traditional employment position.
A 2023 Bankrate survey states that 39% of Americans supplement their income through side gigs.
Engaging in freelancing or consulting can offer extra income, especially if you’re lagging in retirement savings.
Reevaluate Obligations
As you approach retirement age, ensure you habitually reassess priorities and consider putting of unnecessary obligationses can prolong well-being and happiness. While this doesn’t mean abandoning responsibilities, it can promise a renewed life balance that prioritizes personal needs. Taking care of yourself allows you to better enjoy life and make the most of your time. Self-tizing oneself can build aingful life.
Are You Ready for the Future?
Proactivity, like utiliz-egies and adopting a side hustle, can help individuals navigate retirement planning and its complexi-cial security and peace of mind in their golden years.
was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
