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.

I am not comfortable with the complicated functionalities of my new television remote control. Can you offer suggestions for simple, universal television remotes?

Most modern television remotes come with dozens of unnecessary buttons that can be confusing for anyone to operate. Fortunately, there are several universal TV remotes available, including a few that are specifically designed for someone with vision, memory or confusion issues, as well as those who are not technologically savvy. These remotes have button options that make them easier to see and use. Here are some top choices to consider.

Button-Friendly Remotes

Some of the most popular simplified TV remotes on the market today are infrared (IR) remotes. These remotes are intended for those who use traditional cable/satellite boxes or their TV's internal tuner. They are not designed for people who use streaming media devices and will not work with devices that are controlled via Bluetooth or radio frequency.

If you are not sure how your TV is controlled, point the remote at the ground in the opposite direction from the device and press any button. If the remote still executes the command, then it is using Bluetooth or radio frequency signals.

A simple IR remote works with all major TVs including cable, satellite and digital TV receiver boxes. Designs that are lightweight or tapered make it easy to hold. For simplicity purposes, look for remotes with large color-coded tactile buttons to control the power, mute, volume up/down, and channel up/down. Some remotes also have large easy-to-see buttons that light up when pressed, which is helpful when someone is watching TV in a dark setting. Many of these remotes also come with a removable handy wrist strap to prevent misplacing the remote.

Another convenient option some universal remotes include is the "favorite channel" feature that will let you program your favorite channels. This gives the ability to directly punch in a desired channel while keeping the remote simple and uncluttered. Some remotes can also be locked to prevent accidental reprogramming. These types of remotes are available through online retail websites with prices ranging between $14 to $40.

Multi-Device Remote

If the big-button remotes are too basic for your entertainment system, there are simplified universal remotes that offer the ability to control multiple devices while still having an accessible layout.

Although these remotes have more functions, it is still important to look for one with an ergonomic design and large buttons that will let you control multiple audio/video components such as TV, cable/satellite receiver, Blu-ray/DVD player, streaming media players and sound bars. In addition to power, volume, channel, mute buttons and number pad. Many of these remotes also offer a previous channel, sleep timer and input option for convenience.

Finding the best TV remote can require some trial-and-error. But, once you find one that works, it can have a positive impact in keeping you connected.

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.

November is an excellent month to consider plans for charitable gifts. These gifts could include an IRA charitable rollover, a gift of cash or a gift of appreciated stock or land.

1. IRA Charitable Rollover — The IRS refers to the IRA charitable rollover as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). An individual age 70½ or older is permitted to make a transfer directly from his or her IRA custodian to a qualified nonprofit. The transfer is not included in taxable income. If the IRA owner is over age 73, the distribution may fulfill part or all of the required minimum distribution (RMD).

Because many individuals have invested their IRAs in stocks, bonds or other securities, it may be necessary to exchange the IRA stock or bond accounts for a money market fund prior to the distribution. Most custodians require a QCD to be paid from a money market account or similar fund.

There are some limits for the IRA rollover. The IRA owner must be at least age 70½ and the maximum transfer in 2023 is $100,000 ($105,000 in 2024). The transfer must be to a qualified exempt nonprofit and may be for a designated purpose or field of interest fund. However, it may not be to a donor advised fund or supporting organization. In addition, it may not be for a nonprofit dinner or other event that involves a partial benefit to the donor. The entire QCD must be for a qualified charitable purpose.

2. Gifts of Cash — Individuals who itemize deductions may deduct gifts of cash up to 60% of their contribution base, which is usually adjusted gross income (AGI). A couple with $100,000 in income may give and deduct up to $60,000 this year. While the 60% of AGI limit is substantial, some generous individuals give more than this and may carry forward and deduct the excess gift amounts during the next five years.

3. Gifts of Stock — With the increased value of many technology stocks in 2023, many donors find that a gift of appreciated stock is attractive. A gift of appreciated stock provides two benefits. A charitable contribution deduction is based on the fair market value of the stock and there is a bypass tax on the capital gain. If a donor purchased stock five years ago for $10,000 and it is now worth $30,000, the donor could pay capital gains tax on $20,000 if the stock is sold. By giving the stock to a nonprofit, a donor receives a deduction for the $30,000 in value and bypasses the tax on the $20,000 of potential gain.

4. Gifts of Land — With substantial increases in value for real property, many donors will find that a gift of appreciated property is attractive. A gift of appreciated land provides two benefits for the donor. First, the donor may receive a charitable contribution deduction for the fair market value of the land. Second, the donor can bypass tax on the capital gain. If the donor purchased development land 10 years ago for $50,000 and it is now worth $250,000, the donor would pay capital gains tax on $200,000 if he or she sold the property. However, by giving the land to a nonprofit, the donor may receive a deduction for the $250,000 in value and bypass the tax on the $200,000 of potential gain. Because the donor is receiving both the deduction and capital gain bypass benefits, this type of charitable deduction is permitted to 30% of adjusted gross income (AGI). If the gift value is in excess of this limit, it may be carried forward for five additional years. For example, Mary Smith has adjusted gross income of $100,000 this year and makes a gift of appreciated land with fair market value of $80,000. She is able to deduct $30,000 this year, carry forward $50,000 and deduct that amount over the following five years.