Shaw Insurance Services

When many people think of long-term care (LTC), the first thing that comes to mind is a nursing home. While long term care insurance can be used to offset nursing home care costs, it can also be used in variety of other situations, such as paying for in-home care. Long-term care insurance is designed to help pay for care that may be needed on a daily basis for an extended period of time. It goes beyond the scope of coverage provided by typical medical insurance.
Whether you are living at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home, you may benefit from long-term care insurance. However, the catch is that you want to start planning ahead before you need these services. Rates are often based on your age, health, and income when you apply. If you wait until you are in poor health or have serious medical needs, you may not qualify for coverage, or may pay a significant premium. Many advisors recommend individuals start investing in long-term care insurance in their 50s, before they hit retirement age.
The average life expectancy of both men and women has increased, and many people are living into their 80s, 90s, and even 100s. There is no way of knowing whether you will need long-term care benefits or not, but it is often better to err on the side of caution and have them just in case.
You don’t want to wait until these issues arise to start thinking about LTC insurance, because by then it may be too late to qualify for affordable coverage, or coverage at all. Start planning ahead by contacting us today.

Is this the year you’re thinking of retiring?


Location can play a big role in the quality of your retirement. The average person spends decades saving for retirement and planning for this major financial decision; did you know that where you live can actually have the biggest impact on your retirement finances? Here are a couple of things to consider when you’re deciding where to settle down when you’re ready to get out of the rat race.

Services for Seniors
When you think about retirement, you might have visions of long afternoons out on the links, time on the beach with your grandchildren, or just a nice relaxing place to put your feet up. But don’t forget that you might need a little help staying fit enough to keep your golf game in top shape. It’s worth exploring the availability and cost of healthcare services for seniors in any place you’re considering retiring. Find out what it might cost you if you or your spouse needs in home care or what assisted living facilities cost in the event they’re needed. These costs can vary significantly from place to place, so it’s worth your time to do a little research.

Add up the Tax Bill
While most of us think about spending our hard-earned savings on enjoying the good life, going into retirement doesn’t exclude you from having to pay your share to government. Retirement planning should always include planning for taxes, including income, property and sales tax. Shopping for a new home in retirement might also mean shopping for a location and a price that will help you stay on budget for your golden years.

Remember, your retirement journey is a very personal one, and where you choose to retire is completely up to you and your vision for your perfect retirement; however, the more you know about the financial climate in the state you currently reside or are looking to retire in, the better prepared you'll be for this major life change.

Are Smart Homes the way of the future? Are they a risk?



From adaptive thermostats, to smart home speakers, a homeowner can now cross off a variety of menial tasks from their daily to-do list without doing more than speaking a phrase out loud or clicking a button on their mobile device. But, is it safe? What is the true cost of this convenience? Some gadget adopters are reporting invasion of privacy, security risks, and more. These are a few of the reported instances thus far:
1. Gadgets May Be Susceptible to Hacking
Last August, Wired published a story about a British security researcher for MWR Labs, Mark Barnes, who was able to install malware on an Amazon Echo device, turning it into a surveillance device that silently streamed audio to his own server. While newer models cannot be broken into this way, there has not been any software released yet to fix the issue with older units.
2. Smart Technology Could Lead to Location-Based Tracking
Security investigator Brian Krebs reported on a privacy vulnerability for both Google Home and Chromecast—found by Craig Young, a researcher with security firm Tripwire—that leaks accurate location information about its users. According to Young, attackers can use these Google devices to send a link (which could be anything from a tweet to an advertisement) to the connected user; if the link is clicked and the page left opened for about a minute, the attacker is able to obtain a location.
3. Glitches Could Lead to Invasion of Privacy
According to news stations in Portland, Ore., a local resident received a disturbing phone call from one of her husband's employers telling her to shut off her smart home devices. After using devices throughout her home to control temperature, lighting and security, Danielle was made aware that a private conversation was accidentally recorded by her artificial intelligence system and was sent to a number on the family's contact list.

Nothing says, “fall is here” better than a trip to the apple orchard. So get out, get some air, get some sun, have some fun and enjoy a healthy snack or bake a yummy treat. Go apple picking, the perfect way to say so long to summer and hello to autumn, it’s good for your soul!