Issuu

Ray's Retire Right Report

Retire Right Retire Smart!

Raymond T. Martin, Retirement Coach and Medicare Planning

May 2025

Happy Mother’s Day! May your celebration of the mothers in your life be joyous. I hope this issue makes you smile and think. May is "National Hamburger Month"

May 1st – 3rd is "Toad Suck Daze" And May 2nd is "World Naked Gardening Day"

Trash to Treasure

In 1974, Stephen King was just 24 years old and earning $9,500 per year teaching high school English. He lived in a rented trailer with his wife and two kids. He was selling short stories to magazines on the side to make ends meet when he wrote a short story, Carrie. He based the lead character on two girls he knew in high school. He intended to sell the story to the men’s magazine, Cavalier, but didn’t like it so threw it away. His wife, Tabitha, found three crumpled sheets of paper when emptying the wastebaskets that night. Curious, she read it, liked it and insisted he expand it into a novel. The book was published by Doubleday and became a blockbuster hit. King said, “The book’s reception floored everyone, I think, except my wife.” The few pages King’s wife rescued from the trash launched a milliondollar career.

Who designed the original 1936 Volkswagen?

(See the Answer Area.)

Dental and Vision and Hearing, Oh My!

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) provides essential health coverage, however, does not include routine Dental, Vision, or Hearing (DVH) within its standard benefits. This means teeth cleanings, basic and major dental work, eye exams for glasses/ contacts, hearing aids, and related services are typically out-of-pocket expenses. However, there are a numbers of ways that Medicare recipients can bridge this gap.

Some Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans offer additional benefits that may include a benefit for dental, vision, or hearing coverage (usually at an extra cost), depending on the plan and carrier. Similarly, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans often imbed these ancillary benefits as part of their comprehensive packages, with many plans covering routine dental cleanings, eye exams, glasses, and even hearing aids, though specifics and access to providers vary by plan.

For our clients, reviewing your current plan is key to understanding your coverage. If dental, vision, or hearing care is a priority, there are a number of ways to include these coverages within your supplemental Medicare plans or to purchase stand-alone DVH plans. Don’t miss out on benefits that could enhance your quality of life!

Want to explore your dental, vision & hearing options? Give us a call today at (800) 464-4941.

Mother’s Day Worldwide

In the US and Canada, Mother's Day is always the second Sunday in May. France celebrates their holiday for mothers on the fourth Sunday in May. In the UK, mothers were honored on Mothering Sunday as early as the 16th century on the fourth Sunday of Lent. The mariachi sounds of Las Mananitas are heard in Mexico every May 10th to celebrate mom. In India and Japan, Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May. In Egypt and some other Arab countries, mothers are honored on the first day of spring. What is the most common Mother’s Day gift worldwide? Flowers.

Editor’s Errors

Reported by the Liverpool Daily Post, “The problem arose when the computer spell checker did not recognize the term ‘WNO’ (Welsh National Opera). A slip of the finger caused it to be replaced with the word ‘winos.’” The Opera was not amused.

"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t."

Margaret Thatcher

Come Together Crossword

Anti-Vulture Kits

For some reason, vultures in Everglades National Park, Florida began finding rubber and vinyl car parts fascinating. They stripped parked cars and boats of windshield wipers, sunroof seals, weather stripping, and other pieces. Signs posted at park entrances said, “Warning, Vultures May Cause Damage to Vehicle”. Visitors could get a loan of anti-vulture kits (a tarp and bungee cords) from park rangers. No one knows why the vultures began attacking cars. The vultures do not eat the rubber; they just like to play with it.

Curious Claims



Across



A man came out of a local nursery to see a camel kicking and damaging his car. A television news crew happened to be in the area and captured footage of the attack. With evidence like that, a claim which was otherwise unbelievable was paid.

A wife parked at the dock to greet her navy husband who had been deployed overseas. An inexperienced sailor misjudged the distance when he pulled the submarine into the port, crashing the huge ship into the dock. The woman’s car plunged into the ocean. The U.S. Navy paid the claim.

1. U.S. document publisher

4. Primitive fishing tool

9. PC linkup

10. Duplicate

11. Hall-of-Famer Mel

12. Carries on

13. Female fowl

15. Tagged player

16. Song of joy

18. @

20. Beats it

23. Quagmire

25. Elementary particle

26. Banish

27. Literary collection

28. Tattletale

29. Setter or retriever

Down

1. Unappetizing food

2. Cracker spread

3. Available

4. Like an owl

5. Flat

6. Many, many years

7. The "A" of ABM

8. Sheet music symbol

14. Annoyance

17. Water nymph

18. End of grace

19. Biological classifications

21. Like old records

22. Unexpected difficulty

24. Canyon feature

 In the 1940s, the Canadian government advised mothers to begin toilet-training babies at one month.

 The most common U.S. speed limit is 25 mph.

 Amman, Jordan was originally named Philadelphia.

 Grape-Nuts cereal was once advertised as an aid to sobriety.

 Canada has the 4th-lowest population density.

 An athletic shoe can stay afloat in the ocean for 10 years and it’s still wearable after 3.

 In Nepal, rubbing yogurt on your forehead on your birthday is said to bring good luck.

 The English horn was invented in France.

 A dog’s normal body temperature is 101.2 degrees.

 Ocean water contains traces of gold.

 Before becoming an actor, Humphrey Bogart was a professional chess player.

 In 1908 motor boating was an Olympic event.

 The shortest place name in the U.S. is Y, Alaska.

 The average elevator travels the equivalent of nearly halfway around the equator each year.

 Zugzwang means forced into a bad chess move.

 The village of Josefsberg, Italy, is in complete shadow 91 days of the year.

 The first dice were made from sheep ankle bones.

The Answer Area

Lori Verst

Craig Kennedy

Dave Hart

Keith McCarthy

Stan Salah

Joseph Martin Matt Leone Staff Directory

Elliott Martin Mohan Martin Tessa Behr Joe Chow

Trivia

Teaser:

Ferdinand Porsche who later created the sports cars bearing his name I used

Ray Martin Martin & Associates

Ray Martin specializes in Personal Finance, Investor Coaching, Medicare Planning and is the author of . . .

The finest compliment I can receive is a referral from a satisfied client like you. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me with your retirement needs. Please send your friends and family to me knowing that I will care for them as I have cared for you!

Debbie N., Suzanne T., Shelly F., Jim R., Lisa I., Brian K. Mark K., Cindy B., Janette L., Catherine S., David W. Rhonda B., Larry G., Gail G., Odile D., and Kelly J.,

Need a Speaker forYour Group?

Invite Ray Martin to be a guest speaker at your next club meeting, retreat or gathering for an informative presentation on Medicare or Social Security, crucial for a successful retirement. Ray is a frequent speaker at local colleges, school districts and major corporations. To schedule an available date for your group, call Ray or Lori today at (800) 464-4941 or email ray@WeRetireSmart.com

10 Quick Tips on Life Insurance

Periodically, you should revisit the subject of life insurance. Why? Because your life circumstances are ever evolving! What are the basics you should understand? Here are 10 quick tips to help you out…

TIP 1: The first and most important question is, "Do you need life insurance " Not sure? Answer this alternate question for the final determination, "Will someone suffer financially if I am no longer there?" If you can say "yes", then you NEED life insurance.

TIP 2: The next tip for becoming a savvy consumer is to consider, how many years do you need life insurance protection? Do you have a family with young children? Do you have a spouse without a retirement plan? Are you a business owner? These are some of the factors which will determine the length of protection necessary. How long you require protection will be a HUGE factor in deciding what kind of insurance is right for you, so address this issue early in your evaluation

TIP 3: If you know that you need life insurance and how long it should last, your next question should be, how much life insurance should you have? This is a difficult problem because you are insuring against a need which will occur at an entirely unknown future date. A quick, and usually safe, calculation is seven to fifteen times your annual income –depending on what other assets you own If you have special circumstances, have a licensed insurance professional perform a detailed needs analysis for you.

TIP 4: Evaluate the policies you already own. Most people cannot answer the question, "What kind of life insurance do you have?" Many don't know how much life insurance they have. By looking at what you have now, you can determine if there is a gap between your needs and current policies. Keep in mind that you may not have to cancel your current policy. You may be able to change it to get the coverage or benefits you want now. Read the policy to understand the terms.

TIP 5: Compare the different kinds of insurance policies. There are two basic types of life insurance: term and permanent. Term has lower premiums in the early years, but does not build up cash values. Permanent insurance costs more, but if set up properly it will last longer and build cash value. There are several types: whole life, universal life and variable life. Your choice should be based on your needs now, in the future, and what you can afford.

TIP 6: You can renew most term insurance policies for one or more years even if your health has changed. Each time you renew the policy for a new term, premiums will be higher. Find out what the premiums will be if you continue to renew the policy you now own or are thinking of buying. Also ask if you will lose the right to renew the policy at a certain age.

TIP 7: Make sure you can afford your premiums. A policy that lapses from non-payment a few months or years from now is of no use to survivors. If you purchase a policy with increasing premiums,

be certain you can afford those future obligations too.

TIP 8: Do not replace any insurance policy unless you are certain that doing so is in your own best interest. This is especially true of cash value policies. Do not cancel any life insurance until the replacement policy is issued and in your hands!

TIP 9: Review your life insurance needs every few years, especially if you have a change of circumstances such as marriage or divorce, increase in family size or income, job change, decreased health or any other significant change. All of these events may require a change of your program so don't let those slide by without considering the repercussions. Warning! Make sure you are not relying on short term coverage for a long-term need!

TIP 10: Get professional help when needed. Do you find any of these tips difficult or overwhelming? It's no wonder; most consumers do. Agents like us are specially trained to work with insurance and update our continuing education annually (the same as doctors and other professionals!) Concepts that would make your eyes glaze over in confusion, are easy as pie to me Call for a no obligation evaluation. That's what we're here for.

Ray Martin is an Investor Coach and Investment Advisor Representative for Martin Wealth Management, LLC . Schedule a phone appointment at www.SpeakWithRay.com or call (800) 464-4941 or email Ray@WeRetireSmart.com Registered Investment Advisor © 2025. All rights reserved.

Get This Book FREE BY MAIL!

This 62-page book is a quick, easy read (about an hour) yet is chock full of vital information that you NEED TO KNOW for a stress-free retirement, such as:

 How can you plan for health AND wealth? (Page 2)

 How can you spot and avoid bad advice that wrecks your retirement savings plan? (Page 7)

 What is the "Efficient Market Hypothesis" (It won a Nobel Prize for Economics!) and can YOU use it when picking a stock or mutual fund? (Page 12)

 What are the totally-legal tax-savings strategies your CPA may never show you? (Page 24)

 What are the "mind tricks" that sabotage portfolio self management? (Page 36)

 How can you collect 57% more Social Security benefits with a simple strategy available to everyone? (Page 47)

 What are the 10 questions that you absolutely MUST consider for a stress-free retirement plan? (Page 54)

FREE Book Reply Coupon

To get the book, "Stress-Free Retirement: 8 Secrets to Secure Your Money and Peace of Mind" free by mail, simply provide the information on this form by email, fax or regular mail. There is zero cost to you and absolutely NO obligation to buy anything. (And we will never, ever share your contact information. Period!)

Name Date of birth

Spouse Date of birth

Mailing Address

City State Zip

Phone ( ) Email address

Email to ray@raymartinadvisors.com (the form itself or the information requested in the body of your email.) Mail to Martin Wealth Management, 4000 Barranca Pkwy, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92604 Return by Fax to (949) 266-9508