Life Insurance
Life Insurance 101: How Much Coverage Do You Actually Need?
A simple way to size a policy against income, debt and dependents — before a salesperson does the math for you.
A rough starting rule: 10–15 times your income, adjusted for existing debt and how many years of support your dependents will need. The DIME method gives a more exact number. Want the details? Ask us at your next visit.
Life Insurance
The DIME Method: A Simple Way to Calculate Your Coverage
Debt, Income, Mortgage, Education — add up these four numbers and you have a real coverage target.
Add your total Debt, a few years of Income replacement, your remaining Mortgage balance, and future Education costs. What's left after existing savings and coverage is the gap worth insuring. Want the details? Ask us at your next visit.
Covered California
Covered California Open Enrollment: What's Changing
Key dates, subsidy changes and what to double-check before your plan auto-renews.
Outside open enrollment, a qualifying life event — job loss, marriage, a new baby — still opens a special enrollment window. Worth checking even mid-year. Want the details? Ask us at your next visit.
Covered California
Covered California Subsidies: Are You Leaving Money on the Table?
How premium tax credits are calculated, and why a small income change can shift what you owe.
Subsidies are based on projected annual income, not last year's return. A raise, a bonus, or new self-employment income can shrink your subsidy fast if it's not reported. Want the details? Ask us at your next visit.
Medicare
Medicare Enrollment Periods: A Timeline You Can't Miss
Initial, general and special enrollment windows — and the late-enrollment penalty that follows you for life.
Miss your Initial Enrollment Period without other coverage and the late penalty is permanent — added to your Part B premium for as long as you have Medicare. Want the details? Ask us at your next visit.
Medicare
Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare: Which Fits Your Health Needs?
Networks, extra benefits and out-of-pocket costs compared side by side.
Original Medicare plus a supplement travels better and has fewer network restrictions; Advantage plans often cost less monthly but keep you inside a local network. Want the details? Ask us at your next visit.
