| | Financial and Retirement Planning for Southwest Michigan | | |
Welcome to our news!
In each edition of our newsletter, we'll share some tips, some educational content, a bit of news, and links to our free Retirement Resources. You can reach us at any of the buttons above and we hope you find this content helpful!
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Should I Take Medicare if I’m Still Working at 65?
Don’t Miss Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
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For many of our neighbors in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Marshall, your 65th birthday isn’t the “finish line” it used to be. The expensive question: Do I actually need to sign up for Medicare if I still have health insurance through my job?
If you are staying in the workforce, you face a high-stakes choice: Stay on the company plan or switch to Medicare?
If you work for a small business with fewer than 20 employees, Medicare typically becomes your primary insurance the day you turn 65 - whether you signed up or not.
If you don’t get the answer right, you could face “late enrollment penalties” that stay with you for the rest of your life.
Got Questions? Learn more about one of your most important retirement decisions here.
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Whens In Retirement…
When do I Sign Up for Medicare
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When to retire? That's the big question isn't it?
If you think your Medicare premiums are set in stone, you might be missing a major piece of the retirement puzzle.
Our latest video breaks down the financial blind spots that catch many pre-retirees off guard—including how a single dollar of extra income can trigger massive premium surcharges due to the two-year lookback rule.
Watch the full video breakdown to learn how proactive tax planning can shield your retirement accounts from costly, unexpected healthcare cliffs.
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Solutions for Early Retirement in Southwest Michigan
Don’t Let Health Insurance Keep You from Early Retirement
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For many successful professionals in Southwest Michigan, especially in the Kalamazoo and Marshall areas, the dream of an early retirement is within reach. However, the fear of losing comprehensive health coverage before Medicare eligibility at age 65 can be a major source of anxiety.
The costs of a major health event or unexpected surgery can quickly deplete a lifetime of savings.
Fortunately, a gap in employer-sponsored health insurance doesn’t have to put your plans on hold. There are several strategic alternatives to bridge the gap and ensure you’re covered.
Your retirement should be about freedom, not fear. We can help you navigate these often-confusing health insurance options. Whether it’s finding a part-time job that offers benefits or exploring a specific plan, you don’t have to delay retirement.
Ready to confidently bridge your health insurance gap before Medicare? Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today to discuss your pre-65 health insurance options. Give Justin a call at (269) 323-7964 for an immediate answer to your questions.
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Myth vs. Reality: Life Insurance After 60
"I'm Better off Just Staying in the S&P 500"
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Myth or Reality?
The 2026 Reality: A recent study found that investment portfolios using an annuity as a “bond substitute” outperformed traditional 60/40 portfolios in over 90% of retirement scenarios.
Why? Because annuities eliminate “Sequence of Returns Risk”—the danger of a market crash happening right when you start taking nest egg withdrawals upon retirement.
Call Chuck at (269) 323-7964 for a 15-minute coverage review. Read more on our website.
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The Best Age to Claim Social Security | |
An Updated 2026 Guide for Max Benefits | |
As retirement approaches, one of the most consequential financial decisions you’ll face is when to start your Social Security benefits. While you can begin as early as age 62, this choice has a permanent impact on the amount of income you and your spouse will receive for the rest of your lives. The key is understanding the financial trade-offs at every age, and being aware of the latest rules and projections, which we’ve updated for 2026.
For a person with a full retirement age of 67, the Social Security benefit at age 70 is about 77% higher than the benefit received at age 62. This highlights why thoughtful planning around your Social Security is essential to building a successful retirement income strategy. Given the permanent nature of this decision, and the hundreds of possible claiming combinations, it is wise to consult with an experienced financial professional. They can analyze your health, spouse’s benefits, expected longevity, and current retirement assets to calculate your optimal claiming strategy and integrate it with your overall tax and retirement income plan.
See what Southwest Michigan Financial has to say about when to retire and take Medicare…
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Got 15 minutes? Medicare Enrollment Period 2026 is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7
Need free, accurate and fiduciary knowledge about Medicare? Just Ask Justin!
- Q When is the 2026 Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
- A: It runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. This is your annual window to review, switch, or drop your Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans, with changes taking effect January 1, 2027.
- Q: I am turning 65 this year. When am I allowed to sign up?
- A: You can sign up during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period. This window opens 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and extends for 3 months after.
- Q: What happens if I miss my initial enrollment window?
- A: If you miss it and do not qualify for a job-based Special Enrollment Period, you must wait until the next General Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31). Delaying can result in a permanent late-enrollment penalty added to your monthly premiums.
As fiduciaries, we believe clarity is the antidote to anxiety. Let us help clarify the Medicare enrollment process. Want a free professional opinion? Call Justin today at (269) 323-7964.
October 15- December 7 is Open enrollment period.
| | Elder Safety: It's Time to Watch for Medicare Scams | | | |
Medicare scammers use high-pressure scare tactics during enrollment season. Protect your identity and benefits by knowing exactly what to look out for.
Remember these three rules:
- Don't share your Medicare number with anyone who cold-calls, texts, or visits your home uninvited.
- Don't accept offers for free medical equipment or grocery gift cards in exchange for your insurance information.
- Don't sign plan enrollment forms until a trusted fiduciary verifies your doctors and prescriptions are included.
Visit our services page for conflict-free fiduciary backed Medicare guidance in Kalamazoo and Marshall.
Call Justin at (269) 323-7964 for a free Medicare evaluation and discussion about your possible plans. Read more about Medicare and Insurance here.
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The Retirement Reality Check:
Healthcare Premiums After 65
Think your Medicare premiums are only decided the day you turn 65?
Think again.
Medicare uses a strict two-year lookback period on your income to determine what you pay for Parts B and D. That means any major financial spikes you trigger at age 63—like selling a house, taking a large retirement distribution, or completing a major Roth conversion—can drastically inflate your healthcare costs the moment you enroll.
Crossing an income threshold by even a single dollar can add thousands in unexpected surcharges. Avoid the sticker shock. Visit our retirement resource center to learn how proactive planning helps protect your savings from hidden cliffs.
Don’t Let Health Insurance Keep You from Early Retirement.
👉 See our strategies for early retirement and Medicare here. Call us with any questions.
| | | Take our 2 minute Retirement Reality quiz to find out how ready YOU are! | | |
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Meet the Team
Meet Justin Henrich, Medicare Specialist and Financial Advisor at Southwest Michigan Financial!
Justin is our Medicare and Insurance Specialist, and specializes in developing personalized written retirement plans and guiding clients through complex topics like Medicare and Long-Term Care. As a holder of a Series 65 securities license, Justin acts as a fiduciary where he legally has to put your best interests first.
What brings Justin joy at work? "Seeing the smile on someone’s face when their plan gives them the peace of mind to retire is a great feeling!" Justin is a Western Michigan University finance graduate and lives in Battle Creek with his wife and young daughter.
Learn more about working with a Fiduciary Advisor.
Call us with any questions you have at (269) 323-7964.
| | Free Educational Materials | | | |
Kalamazoo Office
Southwest Michigan Financial, LLC
4341 S Westnedge Ave, Ste. 1201
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 323-7964
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Marshall Office
Southwest Michigan Financial, LLC
830 W Michigan Ave
Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 323-7964
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Our Company
Charles R. Henrich offers investment advisor services through Southwest Michigan Wealth Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor in the state of Michigan. Insurance products and services are offered through Southwest Michigan Financial, LLC. The aforementioned are affiliated companies. Southwest Michigan Wealth Management, LLC and its advisors do not render tax, legal, or accounting advice. Southwest Michigan Wealth Management, LLC and Southwest Michigan Financial, LLC are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
This email is being sent on behalf of an Investment Advisor Representative. It is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This communication may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, or confidential, or otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If you are not the name addressee, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy, or disseminate this email or any part of it. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by email or fax, and destroy all copies of this communication.
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