Southern Maine Retirement Services

Stay Active and Positive this Summer

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Our Favorite Positive, Healthy Activities for Warm Weather!

As the weather warms up, most people are excited to get outside and soak up the sun! But after COVID-19, many people are continuing to choose not to travel this summer.

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sunshine and stay active while remaining close to home. Here is a list of fun and relaxing warm weather activities from us here at Southern Maine Retirement Services to inspire your summer staycation.

Spend Time Outdoors

Sunlight is vital to brain health and the immune system, not to mention a natural defense against depression and anxiety. If you suffer from sun sensitivity, there are still lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors, including:

Enjoy a morning or evening walk or jog — you’ll get your vitamin D and maybe catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset.

Hike in a wooded area where there is natural shade. Bring some binoculars and take up bird-watching or a camera to capture the natural beauty of your surroundings.

If you don’t have a garden, plant one. Gardening is a great way to stay active and spend time outdoors. Tending a garden is a natural form of exercise and provides the satisfaction of creating something beautiful.

Head to the Beach

For anyone with heat sensitivity, swimming, boating, or gentle kayaking are great ways to enjoy the beautiful Maine outdoors and stay cool. There are lots of games and activities to do on the beach or shoreside, including yoga, tai chi, frisbee, or even simply walking along the beach. Just make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.

Travel the World by Cooking

That trip to Europe may be on hold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some international flair at home. Create a culinary “theme night” by preparing food from other parts of the world. Look for healthy, authentic recipes online and shop for fresh produce at a local market. If you are a wine connoisseur, you can look for appropriate pairings for your meal.

Take Up a Hobby or Craft

It’s never too late to learn something new. Consider woodworking, pottery, or outdoor (plein-air) painting during the warmer months. Working on a craft or hobby is an opportunity for creative expression without judgment.

Crafting is also proven to improve motor skills, concentration, and confidence. And you may surprise yourself with a hidden talent and new passion!

Explore Maine

Explore your town or city like a tourist. Are there places in Maine you’ve always wanted to visit but not gotten around to? Our state is full of hidden gems. Visit a Portland museum, join a guided walking tour, or visit a botanical garden in Boothbay. If you live in one of the more rural areas, go for a scenic drive and bring a picnic. Think about creative ways to actively explore while being mindful of social distancing, if necessary.

 

We hope this list inspired you to stay active and positive this summer! Southern Maine Retirement Services wants you to make the most of your well-deserved retirement years. Call us today at (866) 886-4340 to learn more about our products and services.

Open Enrollment for Medicare: What You Need to Know

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When to Apply for Your 2021 Medicare Plans

We all know that Medicare is a tricky subject, especially if you’re encountering it for the first time. Our staff at Southern Maine Retirement Services has made it our mission to ease people through this confusing process and act as a helping hand to those who need it. Sometimes it’s hard to even know when you’re supposed to apply for a plan! Well, we’ve got you covered.

Open Enrollment Period

The official open enrollment period for Maine is October 15th through December 7th. This is always our busiest time of year here at Southern Maine Retirement Services, and understandably so. Many people choose to apply for Medicare during this period of time because it’s arguably the time that people are told about the most.

But It Doesn’t End There…

You are eligible to apply for Medicare at other times as well. The other eligibility windows are the three months before you turn 65 years old, and then the three months after. It’s important to be aware of these time frames so that you will be adequately prepared to apply when the time comes. Southern Maine Retirement Services is available year round to assist you with understanding your coverage and all the details of possible insurance plans.

Contact Southern Maine Retirement Services today to learn more about what Medicare can do to suit your unique needs. And remember to mark your calendars for open enrollment, along with the three months before and after you turn 65!

Why Choose Southern Maine Retirement Services?

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There’s no question about it – Medicare is a complicated program

As you approach retirement age, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by the prospect of choosing plans and wading through all that government paperwork. Many people do, and we’re here to help. At Southern Maine Retirement Services, you’ll find a level of service and knowledge that sets us apart from other such organizations.

We’ve Been There

Southern Maine Retirement Services didn’t just start up because the founders thought it would be a good business – it started because they were having trouble wading through mountains of Medicare paperwork. Founder and current owner Sonya Allen and her husband were grappling with his medical issue at a young age and quickly discovered the complexity of finding and enrolling in the right Medicare plan for their needs. They made mistakes along the way that cost them financially, and they decided they didn’t want others to have to struggle like they did.

In 2005, after working for another agency, the couple launched Southern Maine Retirement Services. Sonya is still dedicated to the original mission of Southern Maine Retirement Services, working each and every day to ensure everyone who comes to her for help receives the best service and gets set up with the right plan for their budget and their needs.

We Want To Find You The Right Plan For You

From Original Medicare, to the supplement plans, to the way your private insurance may affect certain benefits and everything in between, there is much to consider when enrolling in different Medicare plans. Your health needs and your budget need to be taken into account, and the details of every option need to be considered carefully to make sure you truly are getting the right plan for you. 

We’ve been doing this for over 15 years, and it’s our job to keep up with the plans and the policies, and to know what the right questions are to ask so we can find you the best plan. We approach every single client as a unique person with a unique situation, and we will work with you to find a plan that’s a good fit. And we’ll be honest – sometimes we might not be able to set you up with the right plan. But we’ll find a trusted industry partner who can.

At Southern Maine Retirement Services, our priority is to find you the most cost-effective plan for your needs. We are here to help you.

We’re Local & Accessible

As our name says, we’re Southern Maine Retirement Services. We are a locally-owned organization and we are here to provide you with first-class client service and get you the information you need. 

Call us or e-mail us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. When you call us, you’re not calling into a huge national call center. We’re right here in Southern Maine. And if we don’t have an answer right off the bat for you, we’ll work hard to find one.

Ready to take some stress off your shoulders? Contact Southern Maine Retirement Services or complete the form below to download our free guide so you can see we are here to figure out the best Medicare plan for you!

Download Our New Free Guide