Teresa R. Sanders

A low monthly premium can look appealing when you’re comparing Medicare plans. But it’s only one piece of the decision.

The doctors you want to keep seeing, the prescriptions you take, and even where you spend your time can all affect which coverage works better for you.

Here are a few things worth looking at before you choose:

Which Medicare Plan Is Best for You? Trying to determine which Medicare plan is right for you? It can be complicated. Take a moment to learn what they cover—and what they don’t.

Turning 65 comes with a lot to think about. Medicare timing is one thing that’s worth getting ahead of.

For most people, the initial enrollment window lasts seven months. But if you or your spouse are still working and covered through an employer, your timing may be different.

Here’s what to know before your enrollment window comes around: https://bit.ly/4hDAkGu

Treasury yields jumped last week, but stocks didn’t seem too rattled.

The S&P 500 still moved higher, the Nasdaq reached new highs, and the economy gave investors a few reasons to stay encouraged. Consumers are still spending, layoffs remain low, and earnings have continued to hold up.

Higher interest rates are still something to watch. So far, though, they haven’t been enough to knock stocks off course.

Here’s what else stood out this week: https://bit.ly/3VhxFdY

How much growth do you hope to see from your portfolio over the next 10 years or more?

That answer can tell you something about more than returns. It can also say a lot about how much risk you’re comfortable taking along the way.

Take the quiz to see how your expectations line up with your risk tolerance: https://bit.ly/3EKs844

Big deficits usually show up when the economy is struggling.

That’s what makes the current setup so unusual.

We’re more than five years into an economic expansion, inflation is still elevated, and the federal deficit has already reached about $1.8 trillion with two months left in the fiscal year.

Add in the massive capital needs of the AI buildout, and there’s a lot of competition for money.

See why that combination is putting more pressure on the cost of capital: https://bit.ly/4h4GIaD

Fiscal Deficits Are Exploding, and That’s a Problem Explore surging fiscal deficits, rising Treasury yields, inflation, AI investment, and why mounting government debt is pressuring markets.

The Medicare plan you chose last year might not be the perfect fit anymore.

Maybe your prescriptions have changed, or a doctor you like is now out of network. Even the costs and benefits could be different this time around.

Open enrollment is your chance to double-check those details before just letting your plan renew automatically.

Here are five things to review before deciding what to keep or change: https://bit.ly/3ToOoYQ

5 Tips for Getting the Right Medicare Coverage This Open Enrollment Season Medicare open enrollment begins October 15. Check out our five tips for helping you get the right coverage for next year.

The Fed and the bond market are looking at the same economy and pricing in very different paths for rates.

Fed officials project a 4.1% policy rate at the end of this year and no additional hikes in 2027.

Markets are pricing something higher, with rates above 4.6% in 2027 and a higher longer-run path than the Fed projects.

That gap matters because it shows how differently the two are reading inflation and how much tightening may still be needed.

See why markets appear more skeptical than the Fed: https://bit.ly/4yLhofz

You may never feel completely ready to send your child off to college.

But financially, you can get a better idea of where you stand.

Whether college is around the corner or still years away, this quick quiz can help you get a sense of how prepared you are for future college expenses.

Answer 9 questions and get access to the College Expenses Checklist when you finish: https://bit.ly/3noZ50Y

A retirement budget can look great on paper and still fall apart once you’re actually living it.

More time at home can mean higher utilities. More free time can turn into more dinners out, projects, or trips. Those little extras can add up faster than expected.

See the tips that can help you build a retirement spending plan around what life may really cost:

Don’t Blow Your Budget! Tips to Create Your Retirement Spending Plan Learn how to create a realistic retirement spending plan, avoid lifestyle creep, and test your budget before retirement begins.

Retirement may mean fewer meetings and more free time, but taxes don’t exactly retire when you do.

Social Security, RMDs, Medicare premiums, investments and even where you live can all affect what you owe.

Here are 8 tax-planning considerations to think about before retirement gets here:

8 Tax Planning Considerations Every Pre-Retiree Should Know Discover 8 tax planning strategies for retirement, from RMDs and Social Security to Roth conversions, healthcare costs, and estate planning.