Are you someone who is comfortable going online to shop, or bank, or do your own research when making a purchase? Did you know that indications are that many Americans will spend more time researching a product or service than they will understanding their HealthCare Insurance option? If you are new to Medicare or, if you are considering looking for a more effective and appropriate Medicare Plan for yourself or a loved one, this course is for you. In this session you will be introduced to the most used tool on Medicare.Gov, the modernized Medicare Plan Finder. This newly designed and updated online web portal has many of the same features that you’ve used on most of the popular online shopping sites, such as enhanced search criteria, plans by name, plans at the lowest cost, and more. This tool will allow you to view online, in real-time, all the approved Medicare Advantage Plans (MAPs) and all the Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) that are available to you in your area. This course will focus primarily on navigating the Medicare.Gov website. This session will also show you how to create your own MyMedicare account and will have an in-depth review of the features and functionality of the Medicare Plan Finder. This will allow you to do your own personalized search for plans that best meet your Medicare insurance needs.

This one hour course is generously offered free of charge by the Southern Maine Area on Aging, donations to SMAAA are always gratefully accepted.

Instructor: John Holland, Certified SMP/SHIP
Section 1: Tuesday, 2/16, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Section 2: Tuesday, 3/16, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Section 3: Tuesday, 4/20, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Section 4: Tuesday, 5/18, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Section 5: Tuesday, 6/15, 6:00 - 7:00 PM 
Location: Online via Zoom
Fee: Free

Medicare is not one size fits all. Are you new to Medicare? This session will review a wide variety of information to help you navigate the waters. We will review how to obtain Medicare, when you are eligible and many other important topics including supplemental insurance to compliment original Medicare. If you are currently enrolled in Medicare come get a refresher on the basics and better understand the choices available to you and when you can make changes. There are many different products and carriers available as well as various enrollment periods, which give you the opportunity to change your policy if appropriate. Anyone with questions about Medicare will find this class helpful. WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM IF CANCELLED DUE TO COVID. Limit 10 students.

Do you know where your assets will go when you die? If not, our Preparing Your Estate Plan presentation will help familiarize you with the basic steps of planning for your estate, including the function of a will and the different types of trusts. An estate-planning attorney, Kristy Hapworth of Rudman Winchell, will be presenting at this event.

Workshops will be held online using Zoom.

Medicare is not one size fits all. New to Medicare? This session will review a wide variety of information to help you navigate the waters. We will review how to obtain Medicare, when you are eligible and many other important topics including supplemental insurance to compliment original Medicare. If you are currently enrolled in Medicare, come get a refresher on the basics and better understand the choices available to you and when you can make changes. There are many different products and carriers available as well as various enrollment periods that give you the opportunity to change your policy if appropriate. Anyone with questions about Medicare will find this class helpful.

Note: The  Medicare 101 seminar is free; the $5 fee supports RSU 54 Adult Education registration costs. 

Courtney Cowan (license #PRR252278) offers insurance products through Northeast Planning Associates, Inc., a licensed insurance agency.

This class covers the basics of a business plan, marketing, cash planning and is suitable for those thinking about or in the early start-up phase of a new business. It will help you assess the feasibility, desirability, and viability of your business idea and get you started with your plan.

Instructor: Lisa Sweet
Section 1: Thursday, 3/18, 10:00 - 11:30AM
Section 2: Thursday, 4/15, 6:30 - 8:00PM
Location: Online
Fee: Free

Workshop will be held online using ZOOM.

This two hour workshop will help participants better understand the complexities of retirement planning, advance directives, guardianship/conservator ships, second marriage family planning and of a loved one, long-term care and estate planning. Attorney John Nale, Esq. will be available after class to answer any questions you may have as you ponder the road maps of elder care laws.

This class is geared to people who want an overview of investing, including key terms and investment types. We will cover the basic features of bonds, stocks, and mutual funds, and the importance of asset allocation. Most importantly we will focus on the guiding “Why” as we develop strategy, quality, diversification, the long term, and control. Limit 15 students.

H - Retirement: Making Your Money Last Seminar

Considerations/tradeoffs when developing a withdrawal strategy -- working longer, spending less and delaying social security. Ways to plan for expected and unexpected expenses with insurance.

Thursday, March 18, 6 – 7:30 pm 

Instructor: Robert L. Smith, Financial Advisor Edward Jones                                  Course fee: $7