In January, the first wave of baby boomers will start the New Year by reaching a series of significant milestones. This generation will begin turning 65, and as a result of entering into the age of retirement, will start to become eligible for various benefits, including Medicare. It is helpful for this aging population to learn about important benefits programs that may be available to them at this stage in their lives, regardless of whether or not they plan to retire anytime soon.
“In this day and age where retirement doesn't come cheap or easy, it helps to have a resource like BenefitsCheckUp to serve as a guide for programs that may provide help during these years”
Baby boomers can use BenefitsCheckUp (www.benefitscheckup.org), a free online screening service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), to learn about Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, as well as to get information for over 2,000 federal, state, and local benefits programs for which they may be eligible.
"In this day and age where retirement doesn't come cheap or easy, it helps to have a resource like BenefitsCheckUp to serve as a guide for programs that may provide help during these years," said Stuart Spector, senior vice president at NCOA. "Signing up for the appropriate benefits in a timely fashion can result in a happier retirement."
As the first wave of baby boomers come of age and become eligible for Medicare at the beginning of next year, it's a good time to use BenefitsCheckUp to find out about available prescription drug benefits, including Medicare Part D, and if they qualify for the Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help). Using the online service, baby boomers can also discover whether they are eligible for additional benefits that help pay for healthcare, energy bills, food, and other household costs. It is as simple as completing an online questionnaire at www.benefitscheckup.org.