12

 Mountain Views NewsSaturday, November 23, 2024


FREE ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT SERVICE

 

 Discover the perfect assisted living community with 
Safe Path for Seniors. Our compassionate advisors 
specialize in assisting individuals with unique needs. 
Benefit from our extensive network and affordable 
options. Plus, we offer personalized tours to help you 
explore each community firsthand. Call (626) 999-
6913 or visit www.safepathforseniors.com for free 
assistance.

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … NOVEMBER Birthdays*

Flo Mankin, Alberta Curran, Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena Zate, 
Joe Pergola, Janice Kacer, Valerie Howard, Lois Stueck, Jean Wood, Shirley 
Yergeau, Pat Krok, Irene Nakagawa, Anna Ross, Mary Steinberg, Mary 
Bowser, Susan Clifton, Mary Higgins, Kim Buchanan, Leigh Thach, Sue 
Quinn, Jill Girod, Jeanne Martin.*

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


From The Desk of Steve Sciurba, Safe Path For Senior

HOW SENIORS CAN CONTROL STRESS AND FIND BALANCE

As we age, managing stress becomes crucial 
for maintaining overall health and 
well-being. Stress can impact blood pressure, 
sleep, immunity, and even cognitive 
function. For seniors, addressing stress 
involves a mix of mental, physical, and 
emotional strategies tailored to the challenges 
and changes that come with aging.

Physical Activity for Body and Mind

Regular physical activity is one of the 
most effective stress relievers. Activities 
such as walking, yoga, or swimming release 
endorphins, which naturally elevate 
mood and help reduce anxiety. Many senior 
centers and community organizations offer gentle exercise classes tailored to older adults, making 
it easy to find options that feel comfortable and enjoyable.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Practices

Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness are valuable tools for managing stress. 
Simple mindfulness exercises, such as focusing on your breath for a few minutes daily, can help calm 
the mind and improve emotional well-being. Engaging in activities like tai chi or guided relaxation 
can also create a greater sense of peace.

Social Connections and Community Support

Isolation and loneliness can contribute to stress, especially for seniors who may experience fewer 
social interactions. Staying connected with friends, family, or community groups can be incredibly 
grounding. Volunteering, attending classes, or joining hobby clubs provides social support and a 
sense of purpose, both of which are beneficial for stress management.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated, and getting adequate sleep are foundational to stress control. 
Avoiding stimulants like caffeine and alcohol, especially close to bedtime, can also enhance sleep 
quality and reduce anxiety.

By integrating these stress management techniques, seniors can navigate daily challenges more 
smoothly, improve their mental health, and enjoy greater emotional resilience. Managing stress is a 
lifelong process, and for seniors, finding balance and support can make all the difference.


WHAT YOU'LL PAY FOR 
MEDICARE IN 2025


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

Dear Savvy Senior:

I know there will be a small 2.5 percent cost-of-living 
increase in Social Security benefits next year, but 
what about Medicare? What will the Medicare Part B monthly premiums be in 2025, and when do 
the surcharges kick in for higher income beneficiaries?

Medicare Beneficiary

 

Dear Beneficiary:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments for 
2025 and the increases for premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most beneficiaries will be mod-
erate. But if you’re a high earner, you’ll pay significantly more. Here’s what you can expect to pay 
in 2025.

 

Part B Premium

While Medicare Part A, which pays for hospital care, is premium-free for most beneficiaries, Part 
B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services does have a monthly premium.

 

Starting in January, the standard monthly Part B premium will be $185, up from $174.70 in 2024. 
That $10.30 bump represents a 5.9 percent increase, which is more than double the most recent 
Social Security cost-of-living adjustment which was 2.5 percent.

 

But if you’re a high earning beneficiary, which makes up about 8 percent of all Medicare recipi-
ents, you’ll have to pay more. Medicare surcharges for high earners, known as the income-related 
monthly adjustment amount (or IRMAA), are based on adjusted gross income (AGI) from two 
years earlier, which means that your 2025 Part B premiums are determined by your 2023 AGI, 
which is on line 11 of the IRS tax form 1040.

 

Here’s how it breaks down. If your 2023 income was above $106,000 up to $133,000 ($212,000 up 
to $266,000 for married couples filing jointly), your 2025 Part B monthly premium will be $259.

 

Monthly Part B premiums for singles with an income between $133,000 and $167,000 ($266,000 
and $334,000 for joint filers) will rise to $370.

 

Individuals earning above $167,000 up to $200,000 ($334,000 to $400,000 for joint filers) will see 
their monthly Part B premium increase to $480.90.

 

Those with incomes above $200,000 up to $500,000 ($400,000 to $750,000 for joint filers), will pay 
$591.90 per month in 2025. And single filers with income of $500,000 or more ($750,000 or more 
for joint filers) will pay $628.90 per month.

 

Part D Premium

If you have a stand-alone Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plan, the average premium in 2025 
will be $46.50 per month for most beneficiaries, down from $53.95 in 2024. But again, for high 
earners with annual incomes above $106,000 ($212,000 for joint filers) you’ll pay a monthly sur-
charge of $13.70 to $85.80 (based on your income level) on top of your regular Part D premiums.

 

How to Contest Income

Beneficiaries that fall into any of the high-income categories and have experienced certain life-
changing events that have reduced their income since 2023, such as retirement, divorce or the 
death of a spouse, can contest the surcharge. For more information on how to do this, see “Medi-
care Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries” at SSA.gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-
premiums.html.

 

Other Medicare Increases

In addition to the Part B and Part D premium increases, there are other cost increases you should 
be aware of. For example, the annual deductible for Medicare Part B will be $257 in 2025, which is 
$17 more than the 2024 deductible of $240. And the deductible for Medicare Part A, which covers 
hospital services, will increase to $1,676 in 2025. That’s $44 more than the 2024 deducti-ble of 
$1,632. There are no surcharges on Medicare deductibles for high earners.

 

For more information on all the Medicare costs for 2025 visit Medicare.gov/basics/costs or call 
800-633-4227.

 

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.

IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO ONE THING

 Of all the things I have learned, one has made a difference in my life.

I hear stories about how married couples are unhappy. Today, something 
must be wrong with you if you haven't been divorced and remarried five 
times.

 I always figure that the person who has been married five times hasn't learned anything 
from their first four marriages. They're going to repeat the same mistakes, over and over.

Somebody should pass a law forbidding people to be stupid. Why does stupidity seem to 
run our country? If we would forbid stupidity, we would have no politicians screwing up 
our country, but then, is that bad?

 Being married has been a long journey for both The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
and her fantastic husband. We celebrated 53 years of marriage. There have been some 
stress points in our marriage, although at this point, I can't remember one. That's why it's 
important to forget things when you get older. But our marriage has been a wonderful ride 
in the park—I just can't remember which park.

 After 53 years of marriage, I have discovered that true happiness boils down to one thing. 
Discovering that one thing is a treasure of gold. Most people have never discovered this 
one thing, which is why their lives are not happy.

 I know five marriage counselors, and each have been divorced and remarried at least 
three times. You would think they would understand what makes a marriage happy and 
pleasant. I wouldn't see those five marriage counselors for any advice.

 This came to me about a month ago. I was talking to a young man who asked me about 
our marriage secret. I had to tell him that we had no secrets. Then it occurred to me what 
our marriage's driving point was. I had discovered one important secret.

It all boils down to one point: how many married couples are happy? If only one is happy, 
it is not a good marriage. If both are happy, well, you know the answer.

The explanation of what happy means will help us understand this whole scenario.

For some people, being happy means they are always right and always get what they want, 
when they want it. y mother used to say when I would ask her if she was alright. "No, son," 
she would say with a smile, "I'm half left." Then she would say, “If we were to be right all 
the time, why did God give us a left hand?”

So, to be happy, I don't necessarily have to be right all the time. I don't always have to have 
eve-rything my way. Sometimes I do need that left hand for balance.

Looking back over my life, if I had everything my way, I would be in so much trouble today 
that I'm not sure I could get out of it. My way hasn’t always the important way. It’s hard 
to acknowledge that. If the wife is happy, then I'm happy. If the wife is not happy, I'm in 
serious trouble.

 The important aspect of marriage is discovering what makes the other person happy. 
Once I figured that out, everything was a ski-ride down the mountains.

 When you first marry, you don't know what makes the other person happy or sad. It's a 
learning experience and you better get busy studying this subject before you get married.

The only rocky point in our marriage had to do with "broccoli." She has a fascinating love 
for broccoli, I have a deplorable hatred for broccoli and the twain shall never meet on the 
same dinner table.

 When we were first married, I did not know this about her and broccoli. But it wasn't 
long after we were married that I discovered this. Up to that point, I had never tasted broccoli, 
and I wasn't about to start tasting it then; with deep respect to my tongue.

When we were married, she didn't know about my fascination with Apple Fritters. I grew 
up in Pennsylvania Dutch country where Apple Fritters are king of the hill. We just love 
our Apple Fritters.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage was happy when she was eating broccoli and I 
was happy when I was eating Apple Fritters. These two things cannot be done on the same 
table, if you know what I mean.

 At that point, it all boiled down to one thing. Are we going to determine what the other 
person likes? Or, will we accept them as long as it makes them happy? That's so critical that 
I don't know anything more important.

 If I can master this one thing, then there will be nothing but happiness in our marriage. 
I don't demand that she like what I like, and she doesn't demand that I like what she likes. 
We just put up with certain things and don't make an issue of them. My secret is, if she 
passes before me, I'll make sure there is broccoli in her casket that she can take with her.

The key to marriage is agreement. I like what it says in Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, 
except they be agreed?”

 If you walk down a path going to in certain destination, although, you both are going in 
the same direction but one can look to the left and the other to the right. It is the destination 
that is important.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 
1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.
com

Happy 

Thanksgiving

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