Maximize Your Benefits

Tips for staying healthier and wealthier

You might be looking forward to the day you can retire. But in today's shaky economy, you might also have concerns such as:

• How much is enough when it comes to my medical costs?
• How can I stay healthier?
• What should I do with my spare time?

With answers to these questions and a bit of smart planning, you can really look forward to retirement!

Stay healthy 

If you plan to stay active during retirement, first plan to stay healthy. One way is to visit your doctor for regular check-ups. If there are problems, they can be caught early through screenings and tests. Early detection can mean reduced risk to your health.

Here are some tests to think about:

For everyone: 

• Diabetes screening - Risk can increase with age.
• Vision screening - In addition to the obvious, testing can often detect glaucoma and early signs of dementia.
• Cholesterol screening - A simple test can let your doctor know if you are at risk for heart disease or stroke.

For women: 

• Bone mass measurement - It can measure bone strength and help determine the risk of fracture or osteoporosis.
• Mammogram - Starting at age 40, all women should have yearly mammograms to check for early signs of breast cancer.

For men: 

• Prostate cancer screening - Starting at age 50, all men should be screened, since treatment often works better when it's detected early.

It's important to ask your health benefits provider what is and is not covered under your health plan. 

Do your part
Even with help from modern medicine, you need to do your part to stay healthy. Eat a balanced diet. Just as important, exercise regularly.

Get active!
Staying active in retirement goes a long way toward helping you stay healthier - and happier!

• Get in shape. Many gyms and YMCAs offer group exercise classes.
• Release your inner child. Video games aren't just for kids. You can enjoy them, too. Some even let you participate in virtual activities, like bowling, tennis and golf.
• Exercise your mind. Visit your local library or join a book club to keep up with new releases.
• Share yourself. Tutor at a local school, walk dogs at an animal shelter or participate in events at your church or other faith-based organizations.
• Take a hike. Get a group of friends together to go for a walk or jog a few times a week.
• You can socialize and stay healthy - together.
• Learn something new. Take up salsa dancing, sign up for a writing class - try something interesting you haven't had time for in the past!

Stay financially fit 

When you retire, you lose a steady paycheck. You might also lose health insurance that was provided through your employer.

These are big changes to face. But there are ways to stay financially fit long after your last paycheck.

Collect Social Security benefits

Social Security retirement benefits are payments the government gives you after you retire. The payments are based on your age, how many years you worked and how much money you earned.

Do you want to estimate how much you're eligible to receive? Use the Social Security Administration's Retirement Estimator tool to get an idea of what your benefits might be. You can find it at.

Remember: Law states you must be at least 62 years of age to collect Social Security benefits.

Apply for Medicare

Medicare provides health insurance benefits for people 65 or older. While basic Medicare covers a lot, it doesn't cover everything.

It's important to understand the benefits offered by basic Medicare to make sure you have the coverage you need.

You may also want to find out about:

• Long-term care
• Medicare Part B
• Medicare Advantage Plan (also called Medicare Part C)
• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (also called Medicare Part D)

These programs will likely cost extra. But the benefits you get from them can help pay for more expensive medical care down the road.

Get more information on our Medicare site or visit the official government website for Medicare.

Manage your finances

It's never too early to start. There are steps you can take now, and once you retire, to help you manage your finances during retirement:

• Increase 401(k) contributions. Add as much as you can to your 401k account in the years before you retire. That helps you get the most in returns after you retire.
• Stick to a budget. Manage the money you have. Before you retire, figure out what your monthly income and expenses will be. Make a budget and stick to it.
• Take advantage of online resources. There are great tools on the Internet that can help you watch your finances. The AARP has several. You can find them in the Money section of the AARP.org website.
• Make a hobby pay off. You might be able to turn a hobby or interest into a part-time job.
• Do something you love - and get paid for it!

With a game plan for retirement, you can look forward to it with greater peace of mind.

Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional.