SERENDIPITY by Angel Logan

Welcome new and long time subscribers! 

Serendipity is not your traditional style newsletter. It is Angel Logan's unique way of reaching out to you, her readers, and friends – to stay in touch, to give updates on her writing career, and to share a few of the personal and professional pearls of wisdom that she has acquired along her journey. It is great to have you here, and Angel hopes you enjoy reading this month’s Serendipity.

Hi Everyone!

WOW, talk about a heat wave! It seems that August made up for July. (HAHA) However, I am not complaining. I love the summer weather, and I would rather it be too hot than too cold!

I appreciate all of the good wishes and prayers that have been coming all month regarding my Dad. He has had a tough time, but he is clearly a fighter. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts.

This month, I would like to share something with all of you that is a bit different from my usual topics of discussion. I recently discovered a new regulation in Massachusetts regarding senior citizens that concerns me, and should concern everyone. Many seniors living with limited budgets, receiving disability or social security benefits must utilize the state's subsidized health insurance to pay for medical expenses. In Massachusetts, we call it Mass Health. 

When senior citizens collecting Social Security approach 65 years of age, the Social Security Administration lifts the $2,000 asset limitation imposed upon them. However, if that senior resides in Massachusetts and receives Mass Health for health insurance benefits, Mass Health implements that same asset limitation upon their seniors, when they turn 65. In addition, if their life insurance policies have a face value that exceeds $1,500, they risk losing their health insurance benefits.  Yes, you read that correctly. I would not have believed it, if I had not read it in black and white.

The only option that a senior citizen has is to immediately cash out his or her life insurance policy, put those funds into a trust for funeral services, and provide Mass Health with the documentation to verify that the funds went into the trust. Okay, this seems like a simple solution, but think about it – contingent upon when the seniors purchased their life insurance plans, the face value may not have appreciated to a reasonable amount, to pay for funeral services. For example, if the individual's policy has a face value of $2,000, he or she only has a third of what is necessary to cover funeral services.

Life insurance policies are supposed to provide people with a sense of security, knowing that their funeral costs will be covered, along with any residual bills, or provide financial security for a spouse or loved one. However, with this type of state regulation, senior citizens lose that security, and have to worry about the future. They have to make payments to cover the high cost of their funeral services, and they have to worry about being alive long enough to make all of the necessary payments. In addition, they have to worry about their loved ones having to assume financial responsibility for their funeral services or any unpaid bills. In addition, if they leave a spouse behind, there will not be any funds left to provide their spouse with financial security. 

I find this very distressing, and while it isn't the typical, positive topic I would normally discuss with you, I wanted to give all of you some food for thought, because this may not be in Massachusetts only. Other states may have the same type of regulations, and not everyone can afford to pay for funeral services if their parents pass away unexpectedly.

The sad part is that the lawmakers, who create these regulations may not have these types of fiscal concerns regarding their own parents' financial security, which makes it difficult for them to empathize with those who have parents on fixed incomes.

If you have a parent, who is turning 65 soon, or is already 65 years of age, and receives state subsidized health insurance benefits – explore the state regulations in your state, to make sure your parent is not facing the same fate. I think it is important to remember that the senior citizens, who lose benefit after benefit, due to state cutbacks are our parents, and they deserve much better than they are receiving.

Finally, I would like to extend my compliments to the Shutt Detachment for hosting a spectacular event this summer, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pvt. Charles J. Shutt Marine Corps League Detachment. The members worked hard to create an elegant and enjoyable evening for their guests, which included Marines and Associates, along with prominent members of the community, and many other VIP guests. It was a fabulous evening, and the Shutt Detachment did an exemplary job!

As always, thank you everyone for your love, friendship, and unyielding support. 

Talk to you next month. 

~Angel

Please visit the links below to read more information about my book and me, or to order a copy of Wings of an Angel Poetry Collection. Remember, if you order my book directly through the publishing company, Xlibris Corporation – you will receive the best and lowest price available. In addition, for your convenience, you may order 24/7 online or by telephone. Also, take a moment to browse through the list below of my supporters and colleagues, along with their web links. I truly appreciate all of their contributions and continual support.

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