Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, March 18, 2023

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Mountain View News Saturday, March 18, 2023 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


ASSISTED LIVING OR NURSING HOME?

There are many myths about Assisted Living being like 
Nursing Homes. This is not true at all. Nursing facilities 
are for those with chronic health issues who require care 
around the clock from medical professionals. 

In Assisted Living, one will get the support as needed, 
such as getting help with showering, grooming, and 
dressing. Again, these services are based on the seniors 
needs.

There are many reasons in working with us. At Safe Path 
for Seniors, we will assess the senior and depending on their care needs and budget, make recommendations. 
For example, we may suggest that the right fit is a Board and Care Home (normally a 6-bedroom house) as 
opposed to an Assisted Living Community or a Memory Support Facility. You will work with an experienced 
agent who 

knows the industry well and will give you recommendations. The good news is that there is no cost for this 
service.

If you have any questions about placing a loved one, visit www.safepathforseniors.com or call Steve at 
626-999-6913


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …March Birthdays*

Cathy Flammer, Clare Marquardt, Karen Blachly, Carla Duplex, Ella 
Guttman, Viky Tchatlian, Mary Cooper, Sun Liu, Helen Wallis, Nancy Fox, 
Martha Cassara, Rita Johnson, Sharon Murphy, Heather Sheets, Mercedes 
Campos, Dorothy Webster,Terri Elder, Carol Cerrina, Amy Putnam, Sally 
Contreras

 * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required

DOMINOES TRAIN GAME

1st & 3rd Wednesdays 11:00 am— 12:30 pm Hart Park House

The object of the game is for a player to play all the tiles from their hand onto one or 
more trains, emanating from a central hub or “station”. Call Lawren with questions that 
you may have.

TEA AND TALK BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, 2/15 9:00 am Hart Park House

Staff has launched a new book club series, Tea and Talk, which meets twice a month 
to discuss the fun, suspense, intrigue, love and so much more that each selection will 
have in store!

FIBER FRIENDs

Tuesday, 1/17 10:00 am Hart Park House 

If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, bunka, huck, tatting or 
cross stitch then we have a group for you! Bring your current project, sit and chat 
with like-minded fiber friends.

HULA AND POLYNESIAN DANCE

Every Friday 10-10:45 am

Bring a lei, your flower skirt or just your desire to dance! Hula in the Park is back 
and waiting for you to join in on all the fun! Memorial Park Pavilion.

CHAIR YOGA

Every Monday and Wednesday 10-10:45 am

Please join us for some gentle stretching, yoga, balance exercise and overall relaxation 
with Paul. Classes are ongoing and held in the Memorial Park Covered Pavilion 
or the Hart Park House. 

BINGO 

Thursday, 1/19 Hart Park House 1:00 pm-2:00 pm

Please join in a fun and lively game of BINGO. Several rounds fun will be had with 
prizes for each rounds winner.

HOW TO APPEAL MEDICARE SURCHARGES WHEN YOUR 

INCOME CHANGES


Dear Savvy Senior,:Is there anything I can do to 
reduce my high Medicare premium surcharges? Because 
of my past income, I pay $329.70 per month 
for my Part B premium and $64.50/month for Part 
D, but my income has dropped since I retired. Do I 
have any options? 

Overcharged Andy

Dear Andy:

If you’re getting hit with a higher premium for 
Medicare Part B and Part D and you think it’s 
unjustified, you can ask Social Security to revisit 
its decision and perhaps reduce your cost. Here’s 
what you should know.

Medicare Surcharges

Many retirees don’t realize that monthly premiums 
for Medicare Part B (coverage for doctor’s 
services and outpatient care) and Part D (prescription 
drug coverage) are based on your modified 
adjusted gross income from two years earlier. 
So, to determine your 2023 Medicare premium, 
Social Security uses your 2021 tax return. In those 
two years, however, your life can change in ways 
your 2021 tax return and current Medicare premium 
don’t reflect. Sometimes, those changes 
are enough to convince Social Security that your 
Medicare premium should be reduced. 

Part B’s standard monthly premium in 2023 is 
$164.90 for individuals earning $97,000 or less; it’s 
$194,000 or less for joint filers. Anyone whose income 
exceeds those thresholds pays a higher premium, 
also known as an Income-Related Monthly 
Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), or surcharge. 

The higher monthly premiums rise steadily from 
$230.80 to $560.50 through five income tiers. The 
same tiers apply to IRMAAs for Medicare Part D, 
with enrollees paying an extra $12.20 to $76.40 
per month depending on their income.

About 7 percent, or 4.4 million higher-income 
Medicare beneficiaries pay a surcharge on their 
monthly Part B and/or Part D premiums. 

Reasons for Appealing

In certain situations, Social Security will recalculate 
your premiums – known as a redetermination 
– for Part B and Part D, particularly if the 
agency based the cost on a tax return that was 
later amended. 

Otherwise, there are seven life-changing events 
that qualify for a redetermination if they hurt 
your income: marriage, death of a spouse, divorce 
or annulment, reduced work hours or retirement, 
involuntary loss of income-producing property, 
the loss or reduction of some types of pension 
income, and an employer settlement payment because 
the company went bankrupt or reorganized. 

How to File a Claim 

To ask Social Security for a redetermination, you’ll 
need to complete Form SSA-44 (SSA.gov/forms/
ssa-44-ext.pdf) and include supporting documents, 
such as the death certificate for a spouse or 
a letter from a former employer stating that you’re 
now retired. If you filed your federal income tax 
return for the year that your income was reduced, 
you will also need to provide a signed copy. 

A decision usually takes a few weeks, but if you 
had one of the events that Social Security considers 
life-changing, you should win the appeal. In 
that case, Social Security will reimburse you for 
the additional premiums by adding it to your benefit 
one month. If you are on Medicare but haven’t 
started collecting Social Security, you should see a 
credit on a future invoice.

If your request for a redetermination is denied, 
there are three additional levels of appeals you 
could try: to the Office of Medicare Hearings and 
Appeals, to the Medicare Appeals Council and finally 
to the federal district court where you live. 

For more information on the premium rules for 
high-income beneficiaries see SSA.gov/benefits/
medicare/medicare-premiums.html. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. 
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today 
show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


LEARNING WHAT "ME TIME" IS ALL ABOUT

Several months ago, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage said she 
and her daughter and granddaughter were going to St. Augustine for 
a week and wondered if I wanted to go along. I said, “Let me think about it for a 
while, and I’ll get back to you.”

I then overheard a conversation between my wife and her daughter concerning 
their trip to St. Augustine. One phrase that kept coming up in that conversation 
was “thrift stores.” That caught my attention.

If there’s a place I do not like to be, it is a thrift store. However, the Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage is an expert in everything thrift store.

The week before she went, she asked me if I wanted to go along with them. She 
smiled and said, “After all, we will be spending a lot of time at the thrift stores in 
the area.”

I was not too fond of h

er smile on this occasion; I knew exactly what it meant.

Thinking about how to get out of the situation, I told her, “No, I don’t think I want 
to go; there are some things I need to do here, so you girls go and have a great time.”

“What is it that you need to do?”

I said as seriously as possible, “I need to spend some Me-Time here by myself.”

“Me-Time,” she said as she laughed. “Do you need any advice on how to do that 
activity?”

The week of the “girl’s trip” had arrived, and The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
had her Sissy Van packed for the trip. I noticed a large empty spot in the back, 
but I didn’t say anything to her about it. I knew exactly the purpose of that space.

Finally, she said goodbye, kissed me and was out the door to begin the trip to St. 
Augustine.

Early the following day, I began doing some of my projects for the week. I had some 
books that needed reading, and started my work. A little after noon, I checked my 
watch and wondered where lunch was. Usually, by this time, The Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage has lunch ready. So I got up and went into the kitchen to see what 
was holding her up.

When I got into the kitchen, it dawned on me that I was involved in “Me-Time” for 
the week. I’m not sure I had included lunchtime in my preparation for this week.

I opened the refrigerator, picked out some things for lunch, and enjoyed my lunch. 
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage had prepared many things in the fridge for 
this week, so I took advantage of her generous preparations.

As I was munching on my lunch, I was thinking about this “Me-Time” that I thought 
was wonderful. But at least I had lunch, and then I could return to what I was doing.

At suppertime, it was the same routine. As I ate my supper, I couldn’t help but think 
that this “Me-Time” wasn’t worth the time. But I was in the middle of it, so there 
was nothing I could do, but it did help me with an excuse not to go to St. Augustine.

I put in a lot of hard work and finally went to bed.

I must’ve slept very well that night because before I knew it, morning arrived, and 
time to get up and have breakfast. I noticed it was empty on the other side of the 
bed, and I just thought that she had gotten up ahead of me and was getting everything 
ready for breakfast.

I walked out to the kitchen, and there was nobody in the kitchen. So I wondered 
where she could have been and how soon she would have breakfast.

Looking out the front window, I noticed her Sissy Van was missing, and then it 
dawned on me. She’s not here, and I’m on my “Me-Time” misadventure. I’m on my 
own for today. The first thing I had to do was to make the coffee. So how can you 
start a day without coffee?

Looking around, I could not see any coffee, only an empty coffee pot on the counter. 
Now, I had to figure out how to work that coffee pot. I found the coffee grounds 
for the coffee pot. I didn’t know how much to put in, so I put in a lot because I like 
a nice hot cup of coffee. Then I put water where it was supposed to go and thought 
I had everything well done.

With my fingers crossed, I pressed the start button and the coffee pot, and nothing 
happened. Now, what was I supposed to do? As I moaned over this, I noticed that 
the coffee was unplugged. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage seems to unplug 
the coffee pot every night before bed.

I sighed a deep sigh and plugged it in and pressed the button in the coffee pot 
started to work.

That was just the beginning of “Me-Time,” and much more was happening.

After two days of this, I realized all the work that The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
did that I was unaware of.

Giving this a lot of thought, I was reminded of the verse of Scripture. “Can two walk 
together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).

Maybe instead of focusing on “Me-Time,” it would be much better to focus on “We-
Time.” There is much more advantageous to this.

FAMILY MATTERS

 By Marc Garlett

WHY EVERYONE NEEDS TO KEEP THEIR ESTATE 
PLAN UPDATED


As the world and its laws continue to evolve, everyone needs to keep 
their estate plan up to date. An estate plan is a set of documents, such 
as a will or trust, which dictate how assets will be handled upon death 
or incapacity. An individual's current legal and financial situation 
should be considered to create a comprehensive estate plan tailored 
specifically to their needs.

Ensure Your Wishes Are Respected

The primary reason to create or update an estate plan is to ensure that an individual's wishes are 
respected upon death. For example, suppose an individual has recently acquired valuable property 
or has had changes in family structure (such as marriage or children). In that case, updating 
the documents that outline how assets should be distributed is important. If the documents are 
not updated, this could lead to disputes between family members and legal complications when 
probate occurs. Additionally, if laws change at the state or federal level, those changes need to be 
incorporated into the existing estate plan to remain valid and effective. 

Ensure Your Loved Ones Are Protected from Tax Implications

Another reason for creating/updating an estate plan is for future tax planning purposes. Without 
proper planning and asset allocation, taxes can significantly reduce the amount beneficiaries 
receive after one's death. In addition, changes in Federal tax law may affect whether other taxes, 
such as capital gains tax, applies at the time of death or while transferring assets during life – 
thus providing additional incentive for individuals to review their plans regularly with their 
advisors and make updates when necessary. 

Ensure Your Medical Decisions Are Handled with Care

Estate planning also encompasses contingency plans in case of incapacity due to illness or injury 
– commonly referred to as disability planning. This means creating end-of-life documents such 
as Advance Health Care Directives which list specific instructions about medical treatments that 
should be administered if certain conditions arise – such as if a person suffers from dementia or 
a traumatic brain injury and can no longer make decisions on their own behalf. This planning 
can provide peace of mind knowing an individual’s wishes will be respected even if they cannot 
make decisions themselves due to illness or injury. 

Ensure You Leave a Legacy for Your Loved Ones

Finally, creating/updating an estate plan allows people to express gratitude for those who have 
helped them over the years - whether it be through providing advice on financial matters or 
being there simply by offering emotional support during difficult times - by including them 
in their plan. Specific instructions can also be included in your plan regarding how charitable 
donations should be handled after death - enabling individuals who wish to donate part of their 
wealth to leave behind a lasting legacy which furthers causes they believe even after they pass 
away. 

Keep Your Estate Plan Up to Date

In conclusion, having an up-to-date estate plan helps ensure your wishes are respected upon 
incapacity or death; protects you from unnecessary taxes; helps with disability planning; and 
allows you the chance to express appreciation towards those who have had a positive impact on 
your life while still alive. Therefore, estate plans should always consider current circumstances 
and anticipate future events to avoid any potential problems. 

To your health, wealth, and family legacy,

This material was created for educational and informational purposes 
only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If 
you are seeking legal or other advice specific to your needs, such 
advisory services must be obtained on your own, separate from 
this educational material.


Marc Garlett, Esq.

Cali Law Family Legacy Matters

www.caliLaw.com

626.355.4000

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com