FINANCIALLY FOCUSED
March 2026 Newsletter
|
OPTIMUM INSIGHTS for March 2026
Periodically, we want to share tips and advice about an area of constant change—Privacy and Technology. Here are some handy reminders to help keep your information safe:
Privacy & Safety Checklist (for 2026)
✔ Protect Your Personal Data
- Turn on Global Privacy Control (GPC) in your browser.
- Use data‑deletion tools (like state‑provided delete request portals) to clear out old information.
- Review app privacy settings monthly.
✔ Protect Your Devices
- Keep phones, tablets, and computers updated.
- Turn on two‑factor authentication for important accounts.
- Use a password manager for the whole family.
✔ Protect Your Kids & Teens
- Turn on parental controls in app stores and devices.
- Check privacy settings for every app your child uses.
- Talk to kids about what not to share online.
- Ensure apps used by teens have high‑privacy defaults enabled.
✔ Protect Your Home
- Review privacy settings on smart TVs, speakers, and gaming systems.
- Turn off features that track location or collect unnecessary data.
- Limit voice‑assistant history storage.
✔ Smart Digital Habits for Everyone
- Think before clicking links or downloading apps.
- Don’t reuse passwords.
- Avoid logging into many apps with the same Google/Apple/Facebook account.
- Check for unnecessary permissions (camera, mic, location).
As always if you have any questions feel free to reach out to us at any time as we are always happy to help.
Thank you!
|
TURNING 65? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE
This informative Kiplinger article, Turning 65 in 2026? Here Is Exactly How to Sign Up for Medicare, walks through what people turning 65 in 2026 need to know about enrolling in Medicare, including key deadlines, enrollment methods, and coverage choices.
Getting these steps right helps avoid gaps in health coverage and lifetime penalties.
UNDERSTAND YOUR ENROLLMENT WINDOW
Most people qualify for Medicare during a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) that includes the three months before, the month of, and the three months after their 65th birthday. Failing to enroll during this period without qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) can lead to higher premiums and delayed coverage.
AUTOMATIC VS. SELF-ENROLLMENT
If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits at least four months before turning 65, you’ll typically be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and receive your card in the mail. Those who are not yet on Social Security must sign up themselves, whether online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office to avoid gaps.
CONSIDER ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
Original Medicare doesn’t include prescription drug coverage or supplemental protection. After enrolling, many choose to add a Part D drug plan and/or Medigap insurance to help manage costs and avoid late-enrollment penalties.
ENROLLMENT PERIOD BEYOND THE IEP
If you miss your IEP but qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (e.g., covered by employer insurance), you can still enroll without penalties. Otherwise, the General Enrollment Period (Jan. 1–March 31) is your next chance, though coverage won’t start until July and penalties may apply.
YOUR FINANCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CAN HELP
Medicare choices can feel overwhelming, especially with multiple enrollment periods, coverage options, and potential penalties to consider. A financial services professional can help you understand how Medicare fits into your broader retirement strategy, whether you’re turning 65 this year, still a few years away from eligibility, or already enrolled and reviewing your coverage.
By looking at healthcare costs alongside income, savings, and long-term goals, professional guidance can help bring clarity and confidence to your Medicare decisions.
|
WHAT WE’RE READING
Here’s some of the best financial news stories we’ve read lately:
- As we age, speaking to our children and other loved ones about our health, finances, and other important matters can be challenging, but a U.S. News and World Report article, The Talk You Need to Have With Your Kids has some useful tips.
- For many retirees and near-retirees, Social Security is an essential component of their broader financial strategy, so the USA Today article, Don’t forget this Social Security rule that could cost you thousands, is a must-read.
- If you’re curious about what exactly Federal Reserve rate cuts can mean for your finances in both the short-term and long-term, this Yahoo!Finance article, How a Fed rate cut affects your bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and investments, has some answers.
- It’s no secret that healthcare costs are rising, which can cause financial anxiety for both younger workers and workers close to retirement. A CNBC article, Higher health-care costs force financial trade-offs: Investors ‘worry about all these moving pieces’ top advisor says, dives into the topic.
- How about a bit of good news? An AARP article, Second Round of Medicare-Negotiated Price Cuts Expected to Save Billions in Drug Costs in 2027, describes how you might be able to save a bit of money in the near future.
SOURCES
https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/turning-65-in-2026-how-to-sign-up-for-medicare
|
Links to third-party articles are provided for convenience; we do not control or guarantee the accuracy of third-party content, and such links should not be viewed as an endorsement.
|
THE BEST BAKED MOSTACCIOLI
Cozy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this baked mostaccioli is the ultimate comfort meal. Tender pasta is layered with a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty cheese, then baked until bubbly and golden. Perfect for feeding a crowd or stocking the freezer for busy nights.
Let's Get Cooking
|
Advisory services are offered by Optimum Wealth LLC a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of New Hampshire. Insurance products and services are offered through Optimum Financial LLC dba Optimum Benefits, an affiliated company. Optimum Wealth LLC and Optimum Financial LLC are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency, and are not engaged in the practice of law.
Outgoing and incoming emails are electronically archived and subject to review and/or disclosure to someone other than the recipient. We cannot accept requests for securities transactions or other similar instructions through email. We cannot ensure the security of information e-mailed over the Internet, so you should be careful when transmitting confidential information such as account numbers and security holdings. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and deleting it from your computer.
This award was issued on 09/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 12/25/2024 through 07/18/2025. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 1183 New Hampshire-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 82 (7 % of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2024: 1,094, 87, 8%, 9/1/24, 12/12/23 - 7/9/24; 2023: 1,017, 89, 9%, 9/1/23, 12/12/22 - 6/30/23; 2022: 979, 87, 9%, 9/1/22, 12/20/21 - 6/17/22; 2021: 943, 96, 10%, 9/1/21, 11/30/20 - 6/25/21; 2020: 928, 91, 10%, 9/1/20, 12/9/19 - 7/1/20; 2019: 928, 85, 9%, 9/1/19, 11/19/18 - 7/10/19; 2018: 955, 74, 8%, 9/1/18, 12/26/17 - 7/17/18; 2017: 739, 89, 12%, 9/1/17, 12/27/16 - 7/6/17; 2016: 666, 158, 24%, 8/1/16, 2/6/16 - 7/19/16; 2015: 853, 166, 19%, 9/1/15, 2/6/15 - 7/19/15; 2014: 1045, 189, 18%, 9/1/14, 2/6/14 - 7/19/14; 2013: 1049, 204, 19%, 9/1/13, 2/6/13 - 7/19/13; 2012: 743, 170, 23%, 9/1/12, 2/6/12 - 7/19/12. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria - required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria - considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
|
|
