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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 27, 2025 Page 19 BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 cludes the information that we have on our ballots,” said Oliveira. “We need to do everything that we can to protect one another, protect our staff and protect our family, and this is a step in the right direction.” EXPAND THE BOTTLE BILL (S 2245) The Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy’s hearing included a measure that would expand the bottle bill to include containers as small as nips and as large as one gallon; more types of beverages such as water, energy drinks and iced tea; an increase in the deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents; an increase in the handling fees paid to retailers and redemption centers; an exemption for retailers of less than 2,000 square feet from the requirement of accepting containers for redemption; and a provision that would direct unclaimed deposits in excess of $70 million to the re-established Clean Environment Fund, to be used for administering the deposit system and for programs related to solid waste management and environmental protection. Sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton) said the bill will modernize the bottle deposit system so that it better refl ects the beverages we consume today. “By including more types of containers, raising the deposit and supporting retailers with higher handling fees … we can recycle billions more bottles and cans each year. This will reduce litter in our communities, slash emissions, save cities and towns millions in waste removal costs and create jobs across the state.” BAN OPEN CONTAINERS OF MARIJUANA IN MOTOR VEHICLES (H 186) – The Cannabis Policy Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would establish a $100 to $500 civil penalty for a driver possessing an open container of marijuana or marijuana-infused edibles in the passenger area of a motor vehicle -- similar to the state’s open alcohol container law. The measure also creates exemptions for certain vehicles including limousines and RVs. “I fi led this bill with hopes of creating more structure and regulation within the developing industry,” said sponsor Rep. Marcus Vaughan (R-Wrentham). “I feel while this is a great addition to the commonwealth’s economic BEACON | SEE PAGE 20 Sa nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Does Medicare Cover Annual Physical Exams? Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare cover annual physical exams? I’ve gotten a physical every year since I turned 50 and would like to fi nd out what Medicare covers when I sign up in a few months. Almost 65 Dear Almost, No, Medicare does not pay for annual physical exams, but it does cover a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” checkup during your fi rst year after enrolling in Part B. And after that, it covers annual wellness visits to keep track of your health. Here’s what you should know. Physical vs Wellness Exam In an annual physical, a docRMD’S FOR 401(K) PLANS W hen must you begin taking Re - quired Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from a 401(k) plan? You must begin taking RMDs from a 401(k) plan in the year you reach age 73 if you have retired and simply left the 401(k) plan account open. This is no diff erent than for a Traditional IRA account. You can wait until April 15th following the year in which you turn 73 to take your fi rst RMD distribution. However, if you do that, you will be doubling up on the RMD distribution. In other words, you will have to take two RMD distributions during that calendar year. However, if you are still working and you are an active participant in the employer’s 401(k) plan, you do not have to take any RMDs from that 401(k) plan until you actually retire. Upon retirement, it might then make sense to roll over any and all 401(k) plans or 403(b) plans into a Rollover IRA account in order to simplify the management of these retirement accounts, avoid overlap in portfolio positions and also to reduce the burdensome paperwork. Furthermore, you eliminate the risk of certain restrictions found in the 401(k) plan document regarding distributions to benefi ciaries in the event of your death. The RMD is based upon the account value as of December 31st in the year prior to you reaching age 73. You look to the IRA life expectancy table pursuant to IRS publication 590-B in order to determine the number of years to divide the December 31st balance by.If, for example, the balance in your 401(k) plan or Rollover IRA plan on December 31, 2024 was $1,500,000, and you turned 73 in calendar year 2025, you would divide the $1,500,000 by 26.5 years to arrive at an RMD of $56,604 for calendar year 2025. If you were still working and the only existing retirement account was your 401(k) plan at your current tor examines you, may do bloodwork and other tests and looks for problems even though you don’t have a specifi c complaint or risk. The Welcome to Medicare employer, no RMD would have to be taken until you retire. You can work until any age and still not be required to take an RMD. If you name a spouse as the benefi ciary of your 401(k) plan, he or she can establish a benefi ciary 401(k) account and then roll it over to his or her Rollover IRA account. Your surviving spouse can then withdraw RMDs based upon his or her own life expectancy. When it comes to children benefi ciaries, the “stretch” IRA option has been eliminated under the SECURE Act. Children, prior to the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of 2017, could roll the 401(k) monies into a Rollover IRA account and stretch the RMDs over their lifetime. This resulted in tremendous tax effi - ciency and the opportunity to grow the investment account further. Under the SECURE Act, children must now withdraw the account in full by the end of the 10th year following the year of the 401(k) owner’s death. This also applies to Traditional IRA accounts. The tax implications to the children are signifi - cant and cannot be overlooked. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney,Certifi ed Public Accountant, Certifi ed Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. checkup and annual wellness visits are diff erent. They focus primarily on preventive care. Your doctor will review your risk factors, develop a personalized health plan for you, check that you’re up to date with preventive tests such as cancer screenings and fl u shots and may refer you for other tests. Here’s a breakdown of what these exams may include. Welcome to Medicare Checkup This is an introduction to Medicare and focuses on health promotion, disease prevention and detection to help you stay well. It’s an opportunity for your doctor to assess your health and provide a plan for care. During this visit your doctor will: • Take your height, weight, and blood pressure measurements, and calculate your body mass index (BMI). • Ask about your personal and family health history. • Give you referrals for other care as needed. • Assess your potential for depression. • Provide a simple vision test. • Recommend vaccines, tests, screenings and other preventive services you need to stay healthy. • Off er to talk with you about creating advance directives. Annual Wellness Visit This visit includes some of the same elements as the Welcome to Medicare checkup. For example, your doctor will review your medical history, record your vital information and give you an opportunity to talk about advance directives. Your doctor may also provide the following services: • Create a screening checklist for recommended preventive services for the upcoming year. • Look at health risks and treatment options. • Perform a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia. • Provide personalized health advice. • Review your current prescriptions. • Study risk factors for opioid problems if you have a prescription for opioids, and screen for potential substance use disorders. Medicare Coverage The Welcome to Medicare and annual wellness visits are fully covered by Medicare Part B without any out-of-pocket costs. You don’t need the Welcome to Medicare visit to qualify for later annual wellness visits, but know that Medicare won’t pay for a wellness visit during the fi rst 12 months you have Part B. During these visits, the provider may order additional tests or procedures that may be subject to Medicare’s deductibles, copayments or coinsurance. Make sure that when you book your appointment, you specifi cally ask for the Welcome to Medicare checkup or annual wellness visit to ensure Medicare covers it. Otherwise, you may have to pay for the visit. If you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you’ll probably need to use an in-network provider for the wellness visits to be covered. Some Medicare Advantage plans also cover annual physicals in addition to the wellness visit. Check your plan for details. 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. nior ior

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