Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 13, 2024 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 17 turning from Cross Country 2023. For more details, please contact Coach T. at 781-8546778 or email him at christophertarantino24@gmail. com. Help from the Cultural Council A press release recently arrived from the Saugus Cultural Council. Did you know that the Saugus Cultural Council has provided grants to people and organizations for artistic, educational and cultural projects since 1998? “We are committed to supporting cultural programs and events that showcase diversity and add vibrancy in the Town of Saugus,” says the press release. “This includes the visual arts, education, dance, drama, interpretive science, the environment, literature, music, public art, and wellness. “If you have an idea for a project that brings public benefi t to the Saugus community, then consider applying for a grant! Our 2025 grant application period runs from September 1 through October 16, 2024. We prioritize applications from Saugus organizations, individuals, and organizers, and to projects that take place in the Town of Saugus.” More information about grant guidelines and priorities can be viewed at https:// massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/saugus/. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Saugus Cultural Council will host an in-person grant information session in the Community Room at the Saugus Public Library to provide live support in submitting an application or provide project feedback. Come with a description of your project and any questions about the grant application process. A few good “shout outs” The Saugus Advocate received several nominations this week from readers who wanted to cite a fellow Saugonian for a “Shout Out.” Outgoing Saugus Middle-High School Principal Brendon Sullivan wanted to recognize Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Michael Hashem for his ongoing commitment to the town’s education system: “I’ve worked with Mike for over 23 years. Mike has been just a great mentor and friend. I think the School District is in a really good place with Mike. I don’t know if there’s anyone more invested in the Saugus Public Schools as Mike is. I don’t know if there’s anyone who cares more about the public schools than Mike Hashem. “He’s an educator fi rst and foremost and a Sachem through and through. And he’s always going to go that extra mile for the kids.” Janice Jarosz wanted to recognize Sharon Genovese and the members of Sharon’s Sneaker Crew who will be involved again in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, which is set for Oct. 6. The MEG Foundation announced that the Jimmy Fund Craft Fair, sponsored by Sharon’s Sneaker Crew, will be held at The MEG building (54-58 Essex St., Saugus) on Sept. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@ comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo. Saugus Dems Unity Breakfast on Sept. 22 The Saugus Democratic Town Committee (SDTC) will hold a Unity Breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. in the Saugus Italian American Club at One Beachview Ave. in Saugus. Tickets cost $24 apiece. Join them in supporting the THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 19 Say nr Sa a y nior y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Health Insurance Options for Early Retirees Dear Savvy Senior, I’m going to retire in a few months and need to get some temporary health insurance until I can enroll in Medicare at age 65. What are my options? Early Retiree Dear Early, There are several places early retirees can fi nd health insurance coverage before Medicare kicks in, but the best option for you will depend on your income level, your health care needs and how long you’ll need coverage for. Here’s where to look. Aff ordable Care Act: For most early retirees who aren’t yet eligible for Medicare, the Aff ordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplace, also know as Obamacare, is the best option for getting comprehensive health coverage. And you won’t be denied coverage or charged extra for preexisting health conditions. And, if your income falls below the 400 percent poverty level after you retire – anything below $60,240 for a single or $81,760 for a couple in 2024 – you’ll also be eligible for a subsidy that will reduce your monthly premiums. The ACA also ensures that at least through 2025, households with incomes above that 400 percent poverty level will not have to pay more than 8.5 percent of their income for a benchmark policy. To see how much subsidy you may be eligible for, use Kaiser Family Foundation subsidy calculator at KFF.org/interactive/ subsidy-calculator. To shop for ACA plans in your Law Offices of JOSEPH D. CATALDO, P.C. “ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW” • ESTATE/MEDICAID PLANNING • WILLS/TRUSTS/ESTATES • INCOME TAX PREPARATION • WEALTH MANAGEMENT • RETIREMENT PLANNING • ELDER LAW 369 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 (617)381-9600 JOSEPH D. CATALDO, CPA, CFP, MST, ESQUIRE. AICPA Personal Financial Specialist Designee state, visit HealthCare.gov or call 800-318-2596. Or, if you want some extra help, contact a certifi ed agent or broker at HealthCare.gov/fi nd-assistance. COBRA: Another temporary health insurance option you may be eligible for is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Under this federal law, if you work for a company that has 20 or more employees, you can remain on your employer’s group health plan for at least 18 months – but could last up to 36 months. But be aware that COBRA isn’t cheap. You’ll pay the full monthly premium yourself, plus a 2 percent administrative fee. To learn more, talk to your employer benefi ts administrator or contact the Employee Benefi ts Security Administration (Askebsa.dol.gov; 866-444-3272). If, however, the company you work for has fewer than 20 employees, you may still be able to get continued coverage through your company if your state has “mini-COBRA.” Contact your state insurance department to see if this is available where you live. Short-Term Health Insurance: If you can’t find an affordable ACA plan and COBRA is too expensive, another possible option is short-term health insurance. These plans, which are not available in every state, are cheaper, bare-bones health plans that provide coverage for up to 3 months with a onemonth extension available. But be aware that short-term plans don’t comply with the ACA so they can deny sick people coverage, they don’t cover preexisting conditions and they can exclude coverage essentials like prescription drugs. To find and compare shortterm health plans, try sites like eHealthInsurance.com or PivotHealth.com. Healthcare sharing ministries: If the previously listed options don’t work for you, another temporary solution could be healthcare sharing ministries (HCSM). These are cost-sharing health plans in which members – who typically share a religious belief – make monthly payments to cover expenses of other members, including themselves. HCSM’s are cheaper than paying full out-of-pocket costs for traditional health insurance but be aware that HCSM’s are not health insurance. They don’t have to comply with the consumer protections of the ACA, and they can also reject or limit coverage for having pre-existing health issues and limit how much you’ll be reimbursed for your medical costs. Preventive care typically isn’t covered either. To look for these plans, comparison shop at the three largest providers – Samaritan Ministries (SamaritanMinistries.org), Medi-Share (MyChristianCare.org), and Christian Healthcare Ministries (Chministries.org). 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. ior
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