I have had several health issues over the past few years. Someone recently suggested that my thyroid might be causing some of my health problems. What are some common symptoms of thyroid dysfunction?

If your thyroid gland is not properly functioning, it can cause many health issues that are difficult to detect because symptoms often resemble other age-related health problems. It is estimated that as many as 30 million Americans have some form of thyroid disorder but more than half are not aware of their condition.

What to Know

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck that has a vital job. It produces hormones, T3 and T4, which help regulate many of your body's activities from how quickly you burn calories to how fast your heart beats. It also influences the function of the brain, liver, kidneys and skin.

If the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormones, it causes the body's systems to slow down. If it is overactive, it has the opposite effect and speeds up the body's processes.

The most common thyroid disorder in older adults is an underactive thyroid, which is known as hypothyroidism. The symptoms of hypothyroidism vary but may include fatigue, unexplained weight gain, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, joint pain, puffiness in the face, hoarseness, thinning hair, muscle stiffness, dry skin and depression. Some patients may also develop an enlarged thyroid (goiter) at the base of the neck. Older adults with hypothyroidism can also experience memory impairment, loss of appetite, weight loss, falls or incontinence.

For those with an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism, symptoms include a rapid heart rate, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, increased appetite, weight loss, tremors of the hand, frequent bowel movements, sweating and an enlarged thyroid gland. Too much thyroid hormone can also cause atrial fibrillation, an increase in blood pressure or a decrease in bone density which increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Women who have a family history of the disease have the greatest risk of developing thyroid disorders. Other factors that can trigger thyroid problems include autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's or Graves' disease, thyroid surgery, radiation treatments to the neck or upper chest and certain medications including interferon alpha, interleukin-2, amiodarone and lithium.

Get Tested

If you are experiencing any symptoms or notice a lump in the base of your neck, ask your doctor to check your thyroid levels. The TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) blood test is used to diagnose thyroid disorders. If the initial test result is high, your doctor may order additional blood tests to confirm your levels of T3 or T4.

If you are diagnosed with a thyroid problem, it is easily treated. Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levothroid, Synthroid and others). This is an oral medication that restores adequate hormone levels for many individuals.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism can include antithyroid medications such as methimazole and propylthiouracil. It works by blocking the production of new thyroid hormones. Another treatment option is radioactive iodine (RAI). RAI is taken orally and destroys the overactive thyroid cells and causes the gland to shrink. Because RAI leaves the thyroid unable to produce any hormone, a side effect is hypothyroidism. This condition can be easily treated with thyroid medication.

For more information on thyroid disorders, visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases.

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.

Let's look at the "top five" reasons people give for not owning life insurance.

1. Too Expensive. "I just cannot afford life insurance right now."
2. Confusing. "We looked at proposals from three companies-page after page of numbers. What does it all mean? I haven't the slightest idea!"
3. Too Many Types. "I checked into term insurance, whole life insurance, universal life, variable life, single premium and survivorship insurance. But which one is right for me?"
4. No Trust. "Those big insurance companies claim to have billions of reserve funds. But one of the biggest insurance companies has been on the ropes for months. Who can you trust?"
5. Don't Plan to Die. "Someday when I plan to die, I will consider life insurance. But for now-don't worry, be happy!"

Five Reasons to Own Life Insurance

There are several reasons for you to purchase life insurance. If you were to pass away, the life insurance death benefits could provide resources that are quite important to your family. The various benefits include payment of your funeral and final expenses, paying off mortgages or other debts, living expenses or income for a surviving spouse, inheritance for children and payment of estate taxes.

1. Final Expenses and Funeral Costs. Usually there are medical expenses during the last weeks of life. These frequently will range from $5,000 to $10,000. Your memorial service preparation and costs can also easily exceed $10,000. Total final expenses can often be more than $20,000.
2. Pay Debts and Mortgages. The payment of debts or a mortgage is a one-time expense. Depending upon the amount of your mortgage, this could cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to many hundreds of thousands of dollars.
3. Living Expenses for Spouse. The largest amount of insurance is typically purchased to provide both economic security and an investment that will add to the spouse's other annual income. A reasonable method is to estimate a 5% return on the investment. For example, if a spouse needed another $25,000 of income over and above the amount paid by retirement funds, Social Security and other earnings, then insurance equal to $500,000 invested at 5% would produce this amount.
4. Inheritance for Children. Permanent insurance is frequently used as a method of providing an inheritance for children. Many parents who make substantial gifts to charity plan to use life insurance as a means of providing additional inheritance for children or other family members.
5. Estate Taxes. If your estate is large, there may be a substantial payment of federal or state estate tax. If you own a family business or other assets that are intended to be transferred to family, then your estate could be subject to estate tax. Life insurance can be an excellent method to provide funds for payment of estate tax. Normally, for larger estates the life insurance is owned by an irrevocable life insurance trust so the insurance itself is not subject to estate tax.

Determining the Life Insurance Amount

A fairly simple way for you to determine the total amount of needed insurance is to add up your one-time expenses, then calculate the amount of insurance invested at 5% necessary to benefit a surviving spouse, children or other family members. For example, if your one-time expenses are $200,000 and your spouse desires additional income of $25,000, then the total insurance would be $700,000. This amount includes $200,000 for expenses and $500,000 invested at 5% to produce the annual income.

More sophisticated calculations are available online. Use your favorite search engine to look for "life insurance needs calculator," and select from the available free public calculators.

How Life Insurance Works

Life insurance started because individuals were concerned that they might pass away and not provide sufficient resources for family. Because young families typically need a substantial fund and lack the ability to save enough in a short period of time, the concept of life insurance was created.

If many thousands of individuals pay premiums and those funds are invested, then a pool of funds will be available to compensate individuals. The life insurance company hires actuaries who determine the probable number of individuals who will pass away in a given year. Especially for younger persons, out of a pool of 100,000 only a few will pass away in a given year. As a result, the insurance company is able to receive all the premiums and invest them in the insurance reserve fund. The earnings and a portion of the funds are distributed each year to pay claims for those who pass away.

The insurance funds are primarily invested in bonds. The insurance company generally receives 1% to 1.2% to cover all of their overhead and costs. The balance is returned through insurance proceeds to beneficiaries.

Life Insurance Policy Categories

Insurance is generally divided into two categories-term insurance and permanent insurance.

Term Insurance

Term insurance is the least expensive type of insurance and is favored by younger people and many financial planners. The term insurance is available with an annual renewable term (ART) or with a fixed payment for five years, 10 years, 15 years or longer.

Because term insurance does not include any investment or cash value, it enables the largest potential policy to be purchased for the least cost. Due to intense competition within the insurance industry, prices on term policies and level-pay term policies have moved lower in recent years.

Some types of term policies also include the ability to convert to whole life or universal life at a future time. If the conversion is elected, then there will be a substantial increase in the premium.

Permanent Insurance

Permanent insurance includes several types. The traditional favorite is whole life insurance, but there are also universal life, variable life and survivorship life insurance.

Whole Life. The traditional whole life policy involves both insurance and a cash value. The premiums are substantially higher than term insurance because the policy will build a savings element or cash value. During the first year, much of the cash value may be used by the insurance company to cover the commission payment to the sales representative, but over time the cash value may increase. The owner of the policy has the right to borrow against the cash value at favorable rates.

Whole life is frequently fixed in terms of premiums paid and death benefit. The insurance company is determining the probable return of its reserve fund and, based on the age and health of the insured person, calculates and commits to a fixed benefit in exchange for a certain premium.

Universal Life. Universal life was created to provide an option for people who would consider purchasing term insurance and invest an additional amount in mutual funds. With universal life, the policy is invested and a cash reserve is built up. The insurance reserve growth covers the cost of the insurance policy. Universal life policies may include flexible options for increasing or decreasing premium payments. Of course, the cash value of the policy will change with a modification of the premium schedule.

Variable Universal Life. If the insured desires to own life insurance but also potentially gain from investments in stocks and bonds, a variable policy may be appropriate. With a variable policy the insured typically is permitted to invest in different mutual funds managed by the financial services company. If the mutual funds increase in value, the policy cash value will increase.

Survivorship Life. For a couple, an attractive option is to purchase a survivorship policy. This policy pays a death benefit after both husband and wife pass away. Because two persons are insured, it frequently is possible to obtain insurance even if one spouse is in poor health. Quite often, this insurance can be purchased at a more reasonable premium because two persons must pass away before the death benefit is paid. It is particularly useful for providing funds to pay for taxes if a business is to be transferred from parents to children after they both pass away.

Life Insurance Beneficiaries

In most estates, life insurance does not pass through the probate process. The insurance policy is a contract between the insured and the insurance company. The person who purchases the insurance has the right to name the beneficiaries. Normally, a primary and a secondary beneficiary are named. It's also possible to divide the insurance policy among several children or other beneficiaries.

A common beneficiary designation is for the spouse to be a primary beneficiary and the children to be the contingent beneficiaries with equal shares. If the spouse were to predecease the insured or they were to pass away in a common accident, then the children would receive the insurance proceeds.

Minor children should usually not be the beneficiaries of a policy. In many states, if a minor child receives a substantial inheritance, a conservator must be appointed to manage the assets. This is quite expensive and also has the disadvantage of transferring the assets to the minor child when he or she becomes an adult.

A much better arrangement is to transfer the policy to a living trust for the benefit of the minor children, or to create a trust and a will for the benefit of the minor children and transfer the policy to the estate to fund that trust.

Prudent Purchase of Insurance

Life insurance is an important decision, and it is helpful to learn about the different types of insurance. Most individuals will also visit with a chartered life underwriter (CLU) or other representative of a financial services company.

The representative can conduct an insurance needs analysis and suggest the appropriate type of insurance. It is helpful for you to do sufficient research to understand the reasons why many individuals choose term insurance or permanent insurance. In addition, the use of online calculators to determine insurance funding will also provide you with a better understanding of the appropriate amount of insurance. The amount of insurance recommended by online calculators can vary greatly, so understanding your probable needs is quite important.

Insurance Company Ratings

Insurance companies are rated by several sources. A.M. Best, Weiss, Moody's and other ratings services are available. You should be certain to ask for the ratings of any company if a representative suggests purchasing a policy from them. It is also easy to go online and do a search for "insurance company ratings" and obtain the actual ratings for most financial services companies.

What are the key factors to consider when retiring abroad? My spouse and I will soon be retiring and are interested in moving outside of the United States.

Whatever your reasons for aspiring to retire abroad – a lower cost of living, a better climate or a desire for adventure – it is important to do your research and learn everything you can about the country you are interested in. Here are some different tips and tools to help you make an informed decision.

Researching Tools

If you are deciding where to retire, use your preferred online search engine to find websites that provide articles and information and the top retirement destinations abroad. Considerations to keep in mind when choosing your location include cost of living, climate, health care, housing, visas and infrastructure.

Once you pick a country or two that interests you, seek out a network with some others who have already made the move you are considering. They may give you tips and suggestions and explain the advantages and disadvantages of day-to-day living in a particular country. Social media platforms can be a good resource for locating expatriate groups.

Before committing, experts recommend visiting the desired country multiple times during different seasons to see whether you can envision yourself living there and not just exploring the place as a tourist. Here are some other factors to consider.

Cost of living: Retiring abroad used to be seen as a way to stretch your retirement dollars, and in many countries it still is a possibility. Depending on where you move, the currency exchange may not be advantageous and the U.S. dollar may not stretch as far. You can compare the costs of living in hundreds of cities and countries by searching for key phrases like "costs of living" followed by the state or country you desire to compare.

Visa requirements: If you want to spend only part of the year living abroad or are willing to move from country to country, most countries offer an easily obtainable three or six-month tourist visa. If you want to set up a more permanent residence abroad you will need to determine the process depending on where you want to retire. To learn more about visa requirements in the countries that interest you, you may want to visit the website for the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Travel.state.gov to get started.

Health care: Medicare and most U.S. health insurance companies do not provide coverage outside the U.S. Check with the embassy (USembassy.gov) of your destination country to see how you can obtain coverage as a foreign resident. Many countries provide government-sponsored health care that is inexpensive, accessible and just as comparable as what you receive in the states.

Most people who retire abroad eventually return to the U.S., so experts recommend paying your Medicare Part B premiums. If you drop and resume Part B or delay initial enrollment, you will pay a 10% premium penalty for every 12-month period you were not enrolled.

Housing: If you are interested in buying a home in a foreign country, it can be complicated. You should talk with your professional advisor or counsel to determine if it may be better to rent first until you are sure you want to permanently reside there.

Money matters: Opening or maintaining a bank account abroad can also be difficult. You may consider establishing a checking account with a financial institution that has international reach. Claiming your Social Security benefits should not be a problem as they offer direct deposit to almost every country in the world. Visit SSA.gov/international/payments.html for more information.

Taxes: You should also research tax rules in your prospective countries and be aware that even if you are living abroad, as a U.S. citizen you will still most likely need to file an annual U.S. tax return – visit IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p54.pdf.

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.

Individuals with earned income may fund an IRA up to the 2022 limits on or before April 18, 2023. The 2022 funding amount may be the lesser of earned income or $6,000 ($7,000 if the individual is over age 50). The regular IRA contribution amount increased to $6,500 in 2023.

A traditional IRA may be funded this year, but if you are covered by a company plan there are phase-out limits. A single person who is an active participant in a company retirement plan may contribute to the IRA if his or her income is less than $68,000. The ability to contribute is phased out between $68,000 and $78,000 for single individuals or heads of household. A married individual has a phaseout limit from $109,000 to $129,000. However, if the married individual is not an active participant but has a spouse who is an active participant in a qualified plan, the phaseout is from $204,000 to $214,000.

Roth IRAs may also be funded for the 2022 tax year with after-tax cash until April 18. An individual also needs earned income to transfer $6,000 (or $7,000 if you are over 50) into a Roth IRA. The Roth IRA has additional benefits during 2023. Roth contributions may be withdrawn at any time without penalty. If you have taxable income, you may add to your Roth after reaching age 73. Unlike the traditional IRA, a Roth IRA does not have required minimum distributions (RMDs) after age 73. This "no RMD" rule will also be expanded to include Roth 401(k) accounts in 2024.

The Roth contribution is also limited for high-income individuals, regardless of participation in a company retirement plan. The Roth IRA phaseout for a single person is from $129,000 of AGI to $144,000 of adjusted gross income (AGI). The married limit is from $204,000 to $214,000, provided you are filing jointly.

An IRA must be managed by an approved trustee or custodian. Many banks, savings and loans or credit unions are qualified to be IRA custodians. Most financial services firms, including insurance companies, also serve as IRA custodians.

If you contributed nondeductible amounts to a traditional IRA, you will need to track your basis. Your basis is generally your total nondeductible IRA contributions and any additional basis from plans you have rolled over into your IRA. If you make a nondeductible IRA contribution, you must file IRS Form 8606. This will help you track your IRA basis. IRS Publication 590-B is a worksheet that will help you calculate the amount of taxable and nontaxable distribution from this IRA.

What are the IRS income tax filing requirements this tax season? My income decreased in 2022 and I am wondering if I need to file a tax return this year.

The requirement to file a federal income tax return this year depends on how much you earned last year, the source of the income, your age and filing status.

Here is a rundown of the 2022 tax season's IRS tax filing requirement thresholds. If your 2022 gross income – which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefits unless you are married and filing separately – was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you may not have to file. If it is over, you are required to file.

• Single: $12,950 ($14,700 if you are 65 or older by January 1, 2022).
• Married filing jointly: $25,900 ($27,300 if one spouse is 65 or older; or $28,700 if you are both over 65).
• Married filing separately: Minimum income of $5 at any age.
• Head of household: $19,400 ($21,150 if 65 or older).
• Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: $25,900 ($27,300 if 65 or older).

To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements or for information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask for a free copy of the "1040 and 1040-SR Instructions for Tax Year 2022." These instructions can also be found online at IRS.gov.

Check Here Too

Be aware of other financial situations that will require you to file a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirements. For example, if you earned more than $400 from self-employment in 2022, owe any special taxes like an alternative minimum tax or get premium tax credits due to enrollment in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan, you will need to file.

You will also need to file if one-half of your Social Security benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest exceeds $25,000. This threshold amount rises to $32,000 if you are married and filing jointly.

The IRS offers an online tax tool that asks a series of questions to help you determine if you are required to file or if you should file because you may be owed a refund. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete. You can access this tool at IRS.gov/Help/ITA. Click on "Do I Need to File a Tax Return?" and it will walk you through an online review. You can also get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040.

Check Your State

Even if you are not required to file a federal tax return this year, do not assume that you are also excused from filing state income taxes. The rules for your state may be different. Check the tax filing requirements for your state to determine if you should file.

Tax Preparation Help

If your 2022 adjusted gross income was below $73,000, you may receive free filing help through the IRS at IRS.gov/FreeFile.

For middle and low-income taxpayers who are age 60 and older, contact the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or TCE) program for free tax preparation and counseling. Call 800-906-9887 or visit IRS.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate services near you. You may also use an online search engine to find nonprofits that provide tax return preparation assistance free of charge for qualified individuals.

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 had dental insurance through my work for many years but no longer have that coverage since I retired and joined Medicare. Where can retirees find affordable dental care?

About two-thirds of U.S. retirees do not have dental insurance. Without coverage from traditional Medicare and the perception that private dental insurance will cost too much to be feasible, most seniors are stuck paying full out-of-pocket prices every time they visit a dentist. While there is not a simple solution to affordable dental care, there are a variety of options that can help cut costs. Here is where to look.

Medicare Advantage: While dental services are mostly excluded under original Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans provide coverage for dental care, but it is usually limited. Medicare Advantage plans are government approved health plans (usually HMOs and PPOs) sold by private insurance companies that you can choose in place of original Medicare. To shop and research Advantage plans in your area visit Medicare.gov.

Dental insurance: If you need extensive dental care, a dental insurance plan may be worth the cost. Monthly premiums for individual plans range from about $20 to $80. A typical plan includes two or three cleanings and checkups per year. These plans will likely have a waiting period – anywhere from a few months to a few years – before coverage for more expensive procedures kicks in.

Dental savings plans: While savings plans are not as comprehensive as insurance, they are a good option for those who do not have dental insurance. With this plan, you pay an annual membership fee ranging anywhere from $80 to $200 a year in exchange for 10% to 60% discounts on service and treatments from participating dentists. To find a savings plan, use your preferred search engine to search for plans and participating dentists in your area and get a breakdown of the discounts offered.

Veterans' benefits: If you are a veteran enrolled in the Veteran Affairs (VA) health care program or are a beneficiary of the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA), the VA offers a dental insurance program that gives you the option to buy dental insurance through Delta Dental and MetLife at a reduced cost. The VA also provides free dental care to vets who have dental problems resulting from their service. To learn more about these options, visit VA.gov/dental.

Cheaper dental care: Because prices can vary by dentist, one way to ensure you get a good deal on your dental care is to call multiple providers and compare prices. Search online to get an idea of what different dental procedures cost in your area. Additionally, if you are paying cash, it may be reasonable to inquire about a price adjustment as many dentists may offer a discount.

There are also a number health centers and clinics that provide low-cost dental care to those in need. All university dental schools and college dental hygiene programs offer dental care and cleanings, typically for less than half of what you would pay at a dentist's office. Students who are supervised by their professors provide the care. Use your preferred search engine to look for a center, clinic or school near you.

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-2023-17, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) suggested a checklist for 2022 tax returns. The IRS offered several recommendations that will assist taxpayers and make for a smooth tax preparation year. In addition, we offer a few checklist items for you to consider.

1. Gather Tax Records — Taxpayers need to gather their records for the tax return. You will need Social Security numbers for all of family members, your bank account and routing numbers to file electronically, IRS Forms W-2, 1099 and 1098. You should have IRS Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace, and any letters sent to you from the IRS.

2. Report All Income — The IRS reminded taxpayers that all income is taxable. Some individuals inadvertently do not report income from goods sold online, investments, part-time or seasonal work, self-employment or income from mobile applications or the Internet. All these forms of income should be reported on your tax return.

3. File Electronic Return — The quickest and easiest way to file is electronically. You will receive the most prompt refund by filing electronically and selecting direct deposit to your financial institution. If taxpayers have not yet had their 2021 tax return processed, they should enter in $0 for their last year of adjusted gross income (AGI). Everyone else should enter their 2021 AGI on the appropriate field.

4. Free IRS Resources — The IRS provides a number of free resources to assist in filing. The IRS Free File software is available for taxpayers with incomes of $73,000 or less in 2022. There are seven Free File products in English and one in Spanish. They may be accessed through IRS.gov. You also may benefit from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.

5. Charitable Gifts Over $250 — Gifts of $250 or more to a charity require a receipt. The receipt issued by the charity must state that no goods or services have been transferred in exchange for the gift. If the donor receives something in return from the charity, the deduction value is reduced by the value of that item. If a taxpayer receives something in return for a gift over $75, the charity must make a good faith estimate of the value of the goods or services transferred to the donor and disclose the estimate. In addition, the taxpayer must receive the receipt from the charity prior to filing his or her tax return.

6. Property Gifts Reporting — If a person makes a noncash charitable contribution greater than $500, he or she must include IRS Form 8283 with his or her tax return. The first section of Form 8283 includes Part A, a description of the property. If the property is publicly traded stock, only Part A is required.

7. Property Gift Appraisals — Property gifts with value over $5,000 often require an appraisal and filing IRS Form 8283. The appraisal includes a description of the property and the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the appraiser. The appraiser's qualifications regarding the type of property being valued must be included in the qualified appraisal. The appraiser must disclose if he or she is acting in the capacity as a partner of a partnership, an employee of any person or as an independent contractor engaged by someone other than the donor. The appraisal must state that it was prepared for "income tax purposes."

8. Qualified Appraisers — A "qualified appraiser" is an individual with "verifiable education and experience in valuing the type of property for which the appraisal is performed." The education and experience requirements may be met by successfully completing college-level or professional-level coursework in valuing the type of property being appraised and having two or more years of experience valuing that type of property.

What steps need to be taken after a loved one passes away? A family member of mine who has no children was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He has asked me to take care of his affairs so I would like to know how to prepare.

The death of a loved one can bring about a host of different tasks and responsibilities.

Here is a list of some things that can be done now and after their death to help keep a difficult time from becoming even more challenging.

Before Passing

There are several things your family member can do now that can facilitate the handling of their affairs after their passing.

First, your family member should determine that all their important documents are easy to locate, such as their up-to-date will or trust, birth certificate, Social Security information, life insurance policies, military discharge papers and financial documents. If your family member has a safe deposit box or home safe, they should plan on how to deliver instructions for their access once they pass. Your family member should also maintain a list of any digital assets (with their corresponding usernames and passwords) in secure storage space for any email, online banking and social media accounts.

If your family member does not have an advance directive, you can find templates for your state by searching online. An advance directive includes a living will that specifies what medical treatments they want or not and appoints a health-care proxy to make further medical decisions if they become incapacitated. Make sure to also have any prearrangements made for a funeral, memorial, and burial or cremation services. Doing so while your loved one is alive ensures their final wishes are met with their approval.

Immediately After Passing

Once your family member passes away, you will need to get a legal pronouncement of death. If no doctor is present, you will need to contact someone to do this. If the passing occurs at home under hospice care, a hospice nurse can declare the death and help facilitate the transport of the body.

If no hospice care is present, call 911 and let the operator know of the situation. You will then need to call the funeral home, mortuary or crematorium to make arrangements for the transfer of the body. If your family member is an organ or tissue donor, contact the funeral home or the county coroner immediately.

A Few Days After Passing

If funeral plans were not preplanned, you will need to make arrangements and prepare an obituary. If your family member was in the military or belonged to a fraternal or religious group, you should contact those organizations as they may have burial benefits or conduct funeral services. You should also notify family members, close friends, and any employer, if they were still working, so others have the opportunity to pay their respects. It is also vital to ensure their home is secured in order to prevent potential theft or vandalism of their home.

Up to 10 Days After Passing

To settle your family member's financial affairs, you will need to get multiple copies of their death certificate. If you are the executor of the estate, take their will to an estate attorney and determine if you should file for probate. If you are appointed by the court to act as an executor, you will need to open a bank account for your family member's estate to pay bills including taxes, funeral costs and medical bills.

The estate attorney can guide you on other steps including finding a tax preparer to prepare and finalize income taxes, liquidating financial holdings, notifying life insurance companies and contacting Social Security and other agencies that provided benefits in order to stop payments. You should also cancel any credit cards, delete or memorialize social media accounts and stop household services like utilities. The home and personal belongings will also need to be dealt with in the coming weeks.

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.