What can you tell me about seasonal affective disorder? Since I retired, I feel sad and tired during the winter months.

If you feel depressed during the winter but feel better in spring and summer, you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a seasonal depression that affects approximately 5% of Americans. In most cases, SAD is related to the decreased amount of sunlight during the winter months. Reduced sunlight can disturb natural sleep-wake cycles and other circadian rhythms that affect the body. It also causes a drop in the brain chemical serotonin, which affects mood, while increasing the levels of melatonin, which can make you feel more tired and lethargic.

If you think you may have SAD, you should schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss your concerns. You may also take a SAD "self-assessment" test which is readily available online or provided by health organizations. While these self-assessment tests offer some insights, they are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you find that you have SAD, here are several treatment options and some non-prescription remedies that can help.

Light therapy: One possible treatment for SAD involves sitting in front of a specialized light therapy box for 20 to 30 minutes a day within the first hour of waking up in the morning. Light therapy mimics sunlight and affects brain chemicals linked to mood.

While you can buy a light box without a prescription, it is advisable to use it under the supervision of a health care provider and closely follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Most health insurance plans typically do not cover the cost.

Some light therapy lamps provide 10,000 lux of illumination, stronger than typical indoor lights. These lamps also offer a diffuser screen that filters out ultraviolet rays and projects downward from the eyes. To find the most suitable light therapy option for your needs, consult with your healthcare provider for recommendations or conduct online research.

Cognitive behavioral therapy: While SAD is considered a biological issue, identifying and changing thought and behavior patterns can also contribute to symptom relief. There are therapists you can seek who specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy and have experience in treating SAD. To locate a local therapist, you can ask your healthcare provider for a referral or search online for reputable therapists in your area.

Lifestyle remedies: Some other things you can do to help alleviate your SAD symptoms include making your environment sunnier and brighter. Open your blinds, sit closer to bright windows and go outside as much as you can. Even on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can help, especially if you spend some time outside within two hours of getting up in the morning. Moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, yoga and tai chi can also help alleviate SAD symptoms, as can social activities.

If you sense that your symptoms extend beyond typical SAD, consult your healthcare provider to ensure it is not indicative of a more serious condition. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, do not hesitate to seek professional help or call the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine at (800) 950-6264.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Many nonprofit supporters make gifts in December. These gifts often may be larger and are an excellent way to benefit a nonprofit. It is important to understand how to make a gift of cash or property and qualify for a deduction this year.

The basic rule is that a gift to a nonprofit is deductible when the property or cash is delivered to a charity. The delivery rules are dependent on the type of property gifted and the timing of the transfer. The delivery is usually complete when the nonprofit receives the property.

There are several rules, however, that apply to gifts of cash, checks or property.

1. Gift of Cash — Cash is deductible when it is transferred to the nonprofit. A gift of cash is different from making a pledge or signing a note to make a gift in the future. With a pledge or note, there is no deduction until there is an actual transfer of cash to charity.

2. Gift by Check — Checks are usually deductible when placed in the mail, even though the final transfers occur when the checks clear the banking institution. For example, if you use the U.S. Mail to send a check by December 31, the gift is completed on the date of the postmark. As long as the check clears the bank, your deduction is honored this tax year.

3. Gift by Credit Card — Credit cards are deductible when the charges are made on the account. Because credit card charges are typically created immediately, the credit card gift is deductible this year. If a gift is made by credit card on December 31 this year and the bill is paid in January, the deduction can be taken for this year. Your credit card statements will show the name of the charity and the transaction date.

4. Gift of Stock — Stock may be transferred by hand delivery, electronic delivery or mail. A stock certificate may be endorsed and hand delivered. The delivery date is the date the representative for the charity receives the stock certificate. You may also obtain a stock power and mail the certificates in one envelope and the witnessed stock power in a second envelope. If U.S. Mail is used for the transfer, the transfer is effective on the date mailed. Stock may be held in a "street account" with your financial services firm. In this case, the nonprofit may create a new account with the same firm and the transfer can occur rapidly by moving stock from your account to the charity account. Be sure to save the financial service institution’s written acknowledgment that the transfer has been accomplished to document the transfer.

5. Gift of a Mutual Fund – Your shares or units in a mutual funds may be transferred to the charity by your custodian. Mutual fund gifts should be planned in advance, because there may be a delay before the actual transfer takes place.

6. Gift of Real Estate — Legal title to real estate passes when you deliver a signed and notarized deed to the nonprofit. However, it is best to have the deed recorded with the county registrar of deeds before December 31.

7. Gifts of Art — The delivery date for a gift of art is the date the nonprofit receives actual possession of the work of art. Title must also be transferred to the charity on that date. A charity must obtain actual physical possession of a gift of art. Special rules apply to a gift of a fractional interest in an artwork.

The nonprofit you make a charitable contribution to will also provide you with a written receipt. This receipt will include the name and address of the nonprofit organization, the date of the contribution, a general description of the property and will state if any goods or services were received.

You have completed a will and perhaps a revocable living trust. Your durable power of attorney for healthcare and a living will are in place. All of your records are safely in place and carefully organized.

So you now are finished with your estate planning. Or are you? Will there be changes in your circumstances or your family that should lead to a review of your plan? Could some events cause you to need to revise or update the plan?

Yes, there are a number of reasons to consider revising or updating your plan. These include any of the following reasons:

1. New Children, Grandchildren or Other Heirs

Your estate plan almost certainly makes provision for children and other heirs who are living when you pass away. If you have a specific transfer to one child, a new child may receive a smaller than intended inheritance.

For example, John Smith had a $1 million estate and left a $400,000 residence to child A. He then divided the balance of the estate with 1/6 of the balance to child A and 5/6 to child B. If a third child is born, depending upon state law, the child might receive nothing or perhaps would benefit from a portion of the residue. In either case, the uncertainty could lead to estate litigation or to family strife.

If you have a sizeable estate and there are large specific bequests, the arrival of a new heir is a good time to review your plan. One option is to transfer assets to the heirs "then living" when you pass away.

If the estate is $1 million, in some states a child C who is born later would receive 1/3 of the estate. This could dramatically change the benefit for child B and leave her with a reduced inheritance. In addition, child C could be a minor or a very young adult and not be capable of managing his or her property. For several reasons, the arrival of a new heir makes a review of your plan very important.

2. Move to a Different State

If you are married and move to a different state, there may be a change in the laws that affect ownership. Some states are called "common law" property states and some are "community property." If you move from one state to another and change in either direction, it may be important to clarify the ownership of your property as separate property or joint property.

For individuals with moderate to larger estates, there could be significant estate or inheritance taxes. Several states have inheritance taxes that will apply at lower levels than the federal exemption per person. Depending on who among your relatives receives your property, a new state may have a substantial tax.

Finally, many states have specific rules on durable powers of attorney for healthcare, living wills or advance directives. If you acquire permanent legal residence in the state, your doctors will expect that your medical planning documents reflect their state law.

3. Sale or Purchase of a Major Asset

You may have a major real estate asset or a business that is to be transferred to one of your heirs. If that property is sold or substantially increases in value, your entire plan could change. For example, if a property greatly increases in value and there is a large estate tax that is paid out of the residue of your estate, the beneficiary of that specific property could receive a much larger inheritance than you intend. Those children or other heirs who are receiving the residue could find their inheritance greatly reduced by estate tax paid on the asset transferred to the first child.

Alternatively, if the first asset is sold, a child may receive a smaller than intended inheritance. Therefore, a significant sale or purchase is a good time for an estate planning review.

4. Reaching Age 73

The four types of estate property are generally cash and cash equivalents, stocks, real estate and qualified plans. Over the years, your qualified retirement plan may become a large portion of your estate. Your IRA, 401(k) or other qualified plan will require distributions to start on April 1 of the year after you reach age 73.

If you pass away before the entire plan is paid out to you during your retirement years, the balance is transferred to your designated beneficiary. Because retirement plans have grown substantially over the past decade, it's very important to review your beneficiary designations. Many individuals pass away and the plan value is transferred to beneficiaries who have been selected 10, 15, and even 25 years earlier. There could be many reasons why you would want to update that beneficiary designation and age 73 is a logical time to do so.

5. Your Selected Beneficiary is Deceased

In many families there are unmarried brothers or sisters. It is quite common for these individuals to receive an inheritance and to remember the surviving brothers and sisters in their plans. However, even if there are two or three unmarried brothers or sisters, one will inevitably be the survivor and hold most of the assets. If you are remembering a sibling in your plan, there is a substantial possibility he or she will pass away before you do. In that case, it is useful to revise the plan and select a new recipient of that share of your estate.

6. Divorce or Remarriage

Estate plans for single persons are quite different from those of married couples. A single person who transfers assets to a former spouse will not qualify for the unlimited marital deduction. While property settlements are typically handled during the dissolution of marriage proceedings, there are many cases where individuals forget to change beneficiary designations on retirement plans and insurance policies. If an individual later remarries and is survived by their new spouse, there is a high likelihood of litigation between the ex-spouse and the new spouse if the individual forgot to update his or her beneficiary designations. Therefore, this person’s plan and beneficiary designations should always be reviewed in the event of a divorce or remarriage.

7. Substantial Change in Value

If someone’s estate increases or decreases significantly in value, there can be major impact on beneficiaries. For example, Mary has three children, Anne, Bob and Charlie. She leaves a home valued at $300,000 to Anne, a large ranch on desert land valued at $400,000 to Bob and the liquid assets to Charlie, who has the greatest financial need. While Mary is in a nursing home and no longer able to change her will, a utility builds windmills on most of the desert ranchland and pays large annual lease payments. The value of the desert ranch dramatically increases. When Mary passes away, Bob receives the ranch, not worth $400,000 but $8 million. Bob receives an inheritance far greater than Anne or Charlie.

8. Adding a Major Property to a Living Trust

If you have a substantial estate, you may hold your real estate in a living trust. If you invest in real estate or acquire a major new property and transfer that to the living trust, it will be useful to review the plan. In some circumstances, there may be different beneficiaries for the living trust than for your qualified plans and life insurance. The addition of a high value asset to the living trust could increase the benefits for children receiving shares from the trust in comparison to the rest of your heirs.

9. Selected Executor or Trustee Not Available

With a will or a revocable living trust, you may also select a successor executor or trustee. While this usually will handle the situation in which the primary executor or trustee predeceases you, it still is useful to review your plan if one of the designated individuals passes away. You can easily select a new primary executor or trustee with an appropriate backup person.

10. Passage of Time

Estate plans are affected by changes in your asset value, by changes in your family, and potentially by changes in federal or state law. Therefore, it is useful every three to five years for you to sit down with your attorney and review your plan. Given all the potential areas that can change, it is quite likely that you may wish to modify some portion of the plan.

My parent lives alone but has mobility challenges and would like to automate functions at home to make it safer and more convenient. Could you recommend some smart home devices that are helpful?

There are a wide variety of smart home products such as smart lights, video doorbells and voice-activated speakers that can be very useful for older adults. These devices add safety and convenience to a home. The devices can be controlled by voice or smartphones, which is helpful for those who have mobility issues or reduced vision. Smart home technology can also provide family members peace of mind by giving them the ability to electronically monitor their loved ones when they cannot be there.

If you are interested in adding smart home products to your parent’s house, ensure that there is Wi-Fi access and a smartphone, tablet or smart speaker to control operations. To help you get started, here are types of devices to consider.

Smart speakers: A smart speaker can serve as the brains of a smart home, controlling devices with voice commands or automating functions around the house. These devices can also play music, read audiobooks, make calls, set timers and alarms, provide reminders for medications and appointments, check traffic and weather, answer questions and call for help in emergency situations.

Smart light bulbs: Falls at home can be caused by fumbling around in a dark room looking for a light switch. A smart lighting system turns lights on or off by voice command, smartphone or tablet. Smart light bulbs can also change brightness and color and be programmed to turn on and off at scheduled times.

Smart plugs: These small units plug into a standard outlet and connect to the internet. Your parent can control a device, such as a space heater or a coffee maker, by voice command or by programming a pre-set time.

Video doorbell: Safety is also a concern for older adults especially those who live alone. A video doorbell allows your parent to see and speak with visitors at the door without having to walk over and open it.

Smart locks: For convenience and safety, a smart lock gives your parent and others keyless entry. This provides customized access and lets you monitor who comes and goes from the house.

Smart thermostat: A smart thermostat can program a home’s temperature. You can also manually control it with voice command or through a smartphone. You can remotely monitor temperature as well.

Smart smoke alarms: A smart smoke detector will send voice alerts to warn which room the fire is in. It also allows you to check the room before a siren sounds and to silence the alert from a smartphone if there is no fire. It can also send an alert to family or caregivers, letting them know of a potential problem.

Stovetop shut-off: To prevent home cooking fires, automatic stovetop devices will turn off electric and gas stovetops when left unattended. These devices can also monitor stove activity and alert you via text or email.

Medical alert system: Wearable wrist or necklace emergency buttons allow your parent to call for help in case they fall or need assistance. Many systems provide voice-activated and fall detection features that connect your parent to a designated contact when an incident occurs. These devices also have smartphone apps that provide location tracking or monitor daily activity.

Cameras and smart sensors: If your parent wants more in-depth monitoring, indoor cameras can be installed so you can see, hear and talk to your parent from your phone. As an alternative, smart contact sensors can keep you updated. For instance, sensors on exterior doors will alert you when someone comes and goes and those on a refrigerator door will let you know if someone has the door open.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

I am interested in contributing to a health savings account to boost my retirement savings and would like a better understanding of how they work. What can you tell me?

A health savings account (HSA) is a financial tool that can help you accumulate a tax-free fund for medical expenses now and after you retire. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a high-deductible health insurance plan. Here is an overview of how they work and how you can open one.

HSA Rules

HSAs have become very popular over the past few years as the cost of health care continues to escalate and high-deductible health plans become more prevalent in America.

The great benefit of an HSA is its triple tax benefits. HSA contributions are deducted pre-tax from your paycheck, which lowers taxable income. The HSA account allows for tax-free growth of funds and if utilized for qualified medical expenses, withdrawals remain tax-free. Additionally, the HSA stays with you even if you switch employers.

To be eligible, you must have a health insurance policy with a deductible of at least $1,500 for an individual or $3,000 for a family in 2023. In 2024, the deductible threshold increases to $1,600 for an individual or $3,200 for a family.

This year, you can contribute up to $3,850 as an individual with high deductible health insurance coverage, or up to $7,750 for family coverage. In 2024, you can contribute up to $4,150 for individual coverage or up to $8,300 for family coverage. Individuals age 55 and older can save an additional $1,000 each year, which remains applicable in 2024. However, contributions are not permitted once Medicare enrollment is completed.

The money can be used for out-of-pocket medical expenses, including deductibles, co-payments, Medicare premiums, prescription drugs, vision and dental care and more. These expenses can be incurred now or during retirement. See the most recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, for a complete list (IRS.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-502). The HSA account can be used for yourself, your spouse and your tax dependents.

Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), an HSA does not require you to use the money by the end of the year. Rather, HSA funds roll over year to year and continue to grow tax-free for later use.

You will receive a greater tax benefit if you use alternative funds for current medical expense, allowing the HSA money to continue growing for the long term. Be sure to hold on to your receipts for medical expenses after you open your HSA, even if you pay those bills with other funds, so you can claim the expenses later. There is no time limit for withdrawing the money tax-free for eligible medical expenses you incurred any time after you opened the account as long as you were covered by an eligible high deductible health plan.

If you use your HSA funds for non-medical expenses, you will be required to pay taxes on the withdrawal, plus a 20% penalty. The penalty is waived for those age 65 and older, but you still pay ordinary income tax on withdrawals not used for eligible expenses.

How to Open an HSA

You should first check if your employer offers an HSA and if they make contributions to it. If not, you can open an HSA through many banks, brokerage firms and other financial institutions, as long as you have a qualified high-deductible health insurance policy.

If you plan to let your funds grow for the future, look for an HSA administrator that offers a portfolio of mutual funds for long-term investing with low fees. After setting up your HSA plan, adding money should be straightforward. Most plans let you do online transfers from your bank, send checks directly or set up a payroll deduction if offered by your employer. To access your HSA funds, many plans provide a debit card and most allow for reimbursement.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

What can you tell me about creating an incentive trust? I have concerns about my heir’s financial management skills and would like them to meet certain requirements in order to receive distributions from my estate.

If you want to influence your heirs after you are gone, an incentive trust is an option to consider. But be careful how you construct it because it can cause unintended, unfair consequences. Here is how it work and tips to help you create one.

Incentive Trusts Basics

An incentive trust is an estate-planning tool designed to help encourage your heirs in a direction you desire when you are no longer around.

With an incentive trust, some or all of your assets are passed to the trust when you pass away rather than directly to your heirs. Your trustee is empowered to distribute funds from the trust only after your beneficiaries meet certain conditions you have specified in the trust.

For example, an incentive trust might encourage a beneficiary to graduate from college, enter a particular profession, get married or even have children. They could also reward beneficiaries who do charitable work or supplement the incomes of those who choose low paying, yet meaningful careers like teaching or social work. On the other hand, it could penalize beneficiaries by cutting off or decreasing distributions or placing restrictions on heirs who do not work.

These types of trusts can also have drawbacks. A poorly constructed incentive trust has a high risk of unintended consequences. For example, if your trust provides a financial incentive for your children to be employed full-time, but one of them gets sick or seriously injured in a car accident and cannot work, they would be unfairly punished unfairly.

Incentive trusts can also be costly to create. Prices vary depending on the state you live in and how sophisticated the trust needs to be. The cost of hiring an attorney to draft the trust can range anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 or more.

There are also legal limits on what you can do with an incentive trust. While state laws vary, incentive trusts that encourage a beneficiary to join or leave a particular religion, leave a spouse or not marry at all, can be challenged in court with a higher likelihood of the court finding an issue with the provision.

How to Create a Trust

To create a solid incentive trust that accomplishes what you envision, you need to hire an estate-planning attorney who will include precise instructions that clearly spell out your wishes. You will also want to include language granting your trustee the right to use his or her discretion and that the trustee’s decisions should be final and binding.

This allows your trustee to make common sense rulings, which will reduce or eliminate the chances of unintended and unfair consequences. It also makes it very difficult for beneficiaries to successfully challenge the trust or trustee in court. When a trust grants final decision-making authority to its trustee, it becomes difficult for beneficiaries to successfully argue that the trustee is not correctly implementing the trust’s terms.

The key is to select a trustee who is savvy enough to interpret your intent and possesses resilience enough to assert the trust terms when dealing with beneficiaries. You should also select a successor trustee if your first choice can no longer serve. Fees paid to a trustee vary widely depending on the state’s fee schedules, the size and complexity of the trust and who serves as trustee.

Creating an effective incentive trust that is representative of your wishes and provides flexibility for unforeseen situations can involve some complexity. To find an experienced attorney who can assist you in drafting an incentive trust, explore online resources to locate a professional in your area.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

In IR-2023-215, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminded traditional IRA owners who are over 70½ they may make a charitable gift before the end of this year. The IRS refers to an IRA charitable rollover gift as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). An additional benefit for IRA owners who are age 73 or older is that a QCD may fulfill part or all of the required minimum distribution (RMD) for this year.

It is helpful for traditional IRA owners to understand how to do a QCD, what is required to report a QCD on a tax return and the required information of acknowledgment from the nonprofit.

1. How to Set Up a QCD — A traditional IRA owner may contact his or her IRA trustee to start the process for a QCD. While distributions from a traditional IRA are normally taxable, the QCD payouts will be tax-free as long as they are paid directly to a qualified nonprofit. The QCD is made through a check payable to the charity. An electronic payment or a check made out to the IRA owner does not qualify as a QCD. The owner must be age 70½ or older and the 2023 limit is $100,000. If spouses are both over age 70½ and have separate IRA accounts, then the $100,000 per person limit may allow a couple to distribute up to $200,000 per year to charity. Because the QCDs are not taxable, there will be no charitable deduction.

2. How to Report Your QCD — Your QCD must be reported on your 2023 federal income tax return. You can expect to receive an IRS Form 1099-R from your IRA trustee, with the traditional IRA distribution in Box 1. You must report the IRA distribution on Line 4 of IRS Form 1040. You will enter the total amount of the IRA distribution on line 4a. If the full amount is a QCD, you then enter zero on line 4b. If part of the distribution is a QCD, the taxable portion is normally entered on line 4b. You must enter "QCD" next to line 4. If you have entered zero on line 4b, the entire QCD will not be taxable.

3. Nonprofit’s QCD Acknowledgment — Your QCD is not deductible as a charitable contribution. However, you are required to obtain a written QCD acknowledgment from the nonprofit prior to filing your return. This acknowledgment should state the date and amount of the QCD and indicate that the donor has received "no goods or services in exchange for the gift." You should retain the acknowledgment with your other 2023 tax records.

Editor's Note: Many individuals will fulfill part or all of their RMD this year through a gift to charity from a traditional IRA. It is best to start the gift process no later than early December. Some IRA custodians may take time to process the transfer. If a donor has the right to make distributions from his or her traditional IRA through a checkbook, it will be important to send the check directly to the charity. Please allow sufficient time for the charity to deposit the check and for the financial institution to process the check. This process must be completed by December 31, 2023.

What types of programs are available to help individuals struggling with everyday bills?

There are dozens of different financial assistance programs and government benefits that may be able to help with everyday expenses. To locate these types of programs, visit BenefitsCheckUp.org, a site created by the National Council on Aging that lists nearly 2,000 programs across the country to connect individuals with benefits programs. This is a free, confidential online screening tool designed for older adults and people with disabilities. It will help find federal, state and local benefits programs that can assist with paying for food, utilities, health care, medications, housing and many other needs.

To identify benefits, begin by entering in your ZIP code and choose the types of benefits programs you are interested in. Certain eligibility questions regarding personal and financial information may be required. Once completed, you will get a list of programs to choose from, followed by a personalized report that explains each program, and tells you where you can get help or how to apply.

If you need assistance or do not have internet access, you can always speak with a benefits support specialist by calling 800-794-6559. You can also get help in-person at any of the Benefit Enrollment Centers located across 41 states. See NCOA.org/article/meet-our-benefits-enrollment-centers to search for a center in your area.

Types of Benefits

Depending on your income level, location and circumstance, here are a few of the many different benefits you may be eligible for:

Nutrition assistance: Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help pay for food at the grocery store. The average SNAP benefit for individuals age 60 and older is around $105 per month. Other nutrition programs that may be available include the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

Utility assistance: The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance in lowering home heating and cooling costs. For broadband assistance, the Affordable Connectivity Program provides a monthly subsidy that can be applied toward home internet costs.

Health care and medicine: Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid can help or completely pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. For assistance with medications, there is a low-income subsidy program called ‘Extra Help’ that helps pay premiums, deductibles and co-payments on Medicare (Part D) prescription drug coverage. You can also search for prescription drug help through patient assistance programs or your state pharmaceutical assistance program at Medicare.gov.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Administered by the Social Security Administration, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to low-income individuals age 65 and older as well as to those who are blind and disabled. In 2023, SSI pays up to $914 per month for a single person and up to $1,371 for couples. Visit ssa.gov/ssi to determine eligibility and to apply.

In addition to these benefits, there are dozens of other programs BenefitsCheckUp.org can help identify such as housing assistance, property tax reduction, home weatherization assistance, tax relief, veteran’s benefits, transportation, caregiving support, free legal assistance, disability services, job training and more.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

On November 7, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced there will be major improvements for the 2024 filing season. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel were pleased to announce the success of the Paperless Processing Initiative.

The IRS reached the initial Paperless Processing Initiative goal three months ahead of schedule. Taxpayers can now use the Document Upload Tool to respond to all notices. The IRS explained it has received 35,000 digital responses to notices with the updated tool.

A second goal is to enable at least 94% of individual taxpayers to respond to the IRS through the website instead of sending mail. The IRS website has various forms and information, including help on preventing identity theft and assistance in qualifying for credits and deductions. This new service will allow 125 million paper documents per year to be converted to digital form.

By the start of the filing season in 2024, the IRS promises to allow e-filing of at least 20 additional tax forms. This will include various business forms, such as IRS Forms 940 and 941.

There also will be important new updates to the "Where's My Refund?" tool. This has been the most popular customer service tool on IRS.gov. Last year, over 54 million taxpayers produced 550 million hits on this tool.

The current tool provides a very basic message such as, "Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, please see our Refund Frequently Asked Questions."

The updated version will provide much more explanation. For example, it may state, "To protect you from identity theft, your tax return is currently being reviewed. To help us process your return more quickly, verify your identity and tax return information. If you recently received a letter from us, follow the instructions on the letter. Please have your tax return (Form 1040 series) available and read the website or letter before starting the verification process. If you already reviewed your identity and tax return information, you may check the status of your refund in two to three weeks."

The IRS also promised other improvements. It set a target for improved phone service to reach an 85% Level of Service next year. The average holding time target is five minutes or less. Over 95% of eligible taxpayers will be able to request a call back from the IRS. These improvements are designed to continue "to promote trust and satisfaction when taxpayers call the agency."

The IRS is continuing to make progress on Direct File. The pilot program for 2024 will be available in both English and Spanish. It is expected to be used by both low- and moderate-income taxpayers who take the standard deduction. The individuals may have W-2 wages, Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits or interest income of less than $1,500. They will also be able to deduct educator expenses and student loan interest. More complex tax returns will need to wait for a future improved Direct File program.

The Direct File pilot will not include all state returns. However, there will be state returns for some taxpayers from Arizona, California, Massachusetts and New York. In addition, taxpayers in the nine states with no income tax will be able to use Direct File.

The IRS plan is to phase in Direct File over a number of years. This phased rollout enables the IRS to make certain that the taxpayers who use the program will receive quality service.

What is the best way to choose a Medicare Advantage plan? I am considering switching from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan. Many of the advertisements I see seem too good to be true because they offer extra benefits with no monthly premiums.

Exercise caution when encountering Medicare Advantage advertisements on TV, radio, social media or direct mail. While many of these advertisements may offer free vision, hearing, dental and other benefits with zero monthly premiums, they may offer very limited coverage.

Advantage basics

Medicare Advantage or MA plans (also known as Medicare Part C) are government-approved health plans sold by private insurance companies that you can choose instead of original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage plans are managed-care policies such as HMOs or PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of doctors in a geographic area. The open enrollment period for those switching from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan is from October 15 through December 7.

Medicare Advantage plans have exploded in popularity in recent years as insurers have increased their advertisements that promote low-cost options with many extra benefits. The federal government has deemed many claims in MA advertisements as fraudulent and misleading. Some advertisements falsely imply that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services endorse or prefer a specific plan while others promise more cost savings than you will receive. If you choose the wrong plan, your doctor may not be a member of that plan's network or you may end up paying out-of-pocket for medically necessary care.

In September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized new marketing requirements to protect consumers and improve the quality of advertisements. However, you should proceed cautiously when choosing a plan. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision.

Cover your needs: When evaluating MA plans, make sure the one you are considering covers your preferred doctors and health care facilities. You should also confirm that your prescription medications are on the insurer's drug plan formulary.

To help you compare plans, contact your health providers and find out which MA plans they accept and which ones they recommend. Then, go to the Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov/plan-compare to compare plans in your area.

Understand the details: Some MA plans promote no monthly premiums, but the reality is that you are still responsible for your original Medicare costs including your Part B premium, deductibles and copays for covered services. Moreover, you may have to pay out-of-pocket if you see an out-of-network doctor. Also, HMO plans generally do not cover out-of-network non-emergency services, so an individual may be responsible for full costs. On the other hand, A PPO plan allows people to go out of the network, but they generally must pay more to do so.

Do some research: Many MA plans tout free vision, hearing and dental benefits that are not covered by traditional Medicare, but these benefits are often limited. For example, a plan that offers free dental coverage may cover only cleanings and x-rays. Extensive procedures such as root canals or implants may not be covered, or the plan may limit the dollar amount it pays. Be sure to investigate the coverage details to avoid unexpected charges later.

Get help: For additional help, contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2675. These programs provide unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling and assistance.

If you believe you made a mistake in your plan choice due to misleading or inaccurate marketing claims, call a Medicare customer service representative at 800-633-4227 to explain your situation and get assistance.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.