Resources For Aging Well

If you own a business and you offer a 401(k) or similar retirement plan to your employees, youll want to stay current on the various changes affecting these types of accounts. And in 2024, you may find some interesting new developments to consider.These changes are part of the SECURE 2.0 Act, enacted at the end of 2022. And while some parts of the law went into effect in 2023 such as the new tax credit for employer contributions to start-up retirement plans with 100 or fewer employees  others were only enacted this year.            Here are some of these changes that may interest you: New starter 401(k)/403(b)  If you havent already established a retirement plan, you can now offer a starter 401(k) or safe harbor 403(b) plan to employees who meet age and service requirements. These plans have lower contribution limits ($6,000 per year, or $7,000 for those 50 or older) than a typical 401(k) or 403(b) and employers cant make matching or nonelective contributions. These plans are low-cost and easy to administer but the credit for employer contributions doesnt apply, as these contributions arent allowed, and since start-up costs are low, the tax credit for these costs will be correspondingly lower than theyd be for a full-scale 401(k) plan. Matches for student loan payments  Its not easy for young employees to save for retirement and pay back student loans. To help address this problem, Congress included a provision in Secure 2.0 that allows employers the option to provide matching contributions to employees retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and SIMPLE IRAs) when these employees make qualified student loan payments. Of course, if you offer this match for student loan payments, your costs will likely increase, although these matching contributions are tax deductible. In any case, you may want to balance any additional expense with the potential benefit of attracting and retaining employees, particularly those who have recently graduated from college. 401(k) eligibility for part-time employees  Part-time employees who are at least 21 years old and have at least 500 hours of service in three consecutive years must now be eligible to contribute to an existing 401(k) plan. The inclusion of part-time employees could lead to higher business expenses for you, depending on the amount of contributions you may make to employees plans. Again, though, youd be offering a benefit that could be attractive to quality part-time employees.             Emergency savings account  Many people, especially those who dont earn high incomes, have trouble building up emergency funds they can tap for unexpected costs, such as a major home or car repair or large medical expenses. Now, if you offer a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) plan, you can include a pension-linked emergency savings account (PLESA) that allows non-highly compensated employees to save up to $2,500, a figure that will be indexed for inflation in the future. PLESA allows for tax-free monthly withdrawals without incurring a 10% tax penalty. PLESA contributions are made on an after-tax (Roth) basis and must be matched at the same rate as other employee contributions.             You may want to consult with your tax and financial professionals to determine how these changes may affect what you want to do with your retirement plan. The more you know, the better your decisions likely will be. Chad Choate III, AAMS828 3rd Avenue WestBradenton, FL  34205941-462-2445Chad.choate@edwardjones.com

This year, Vincentian celebrates 100 years of compassionate care, and youre invited to join the celebration! Founded in 1924 to meet unmet community needs, Vincentian is committed to serving our neighbors compassionately with your help.You can join the movement by supporting Vincentian through the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, a friends-asking-friends fundraiser and funraiser! It all culminates on Saturday, June 22, 2024, with a fun walk on Pittsburghs North Shore. All donations directly benefit Vincentians benevolent care to those in need. Get started today by visiting vincentian.us/walk to join a team, form a team, or register as an individual walker and fundraiser. By raising just 25 dollars, youll receive a Highmark Walk t-shirt and, if you register for the walk and attend the event, youll receive a Vincentian t-shirt, too! Join us for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community to reconnect with old friends and make new memories, all while commemorating Vincentians 100 years of service to the community. For more information, visit vincentian.us/walk or email development@vcs.org.

Email marketing plays a major role in communication, reaching over 4.3 billion individuals and delivering an impressive return on investment of $36 for every dollar spent. It surpasses Facebook and Twitter combined in customer acquisition by 40 times.ProgressionThe first email was sent by Ray Tomlinson in 1971 while Gary Thuerks commercial email to 400 recipients in 1978 resulted in $13 million in sales.Core Principles of Email MarketingAt its core email marketing focuses on engaging and communicating with both current customers. It serves to update subscribers on products, promotions, and the value your business offers.Key BenefitsDirect Audience Engagement -  Emails guarantee that messages reach their intended recipients.Increased Control - Marketers have control over how they reach their target audience.Personalized Content - Tailored content boosts relevance and drives revenue.Results - Metrics like rates and click through rates offer valuable insights into campaign performance.Cost effective with Returns - Email marketing is budget friendly while providing returns on investment.Operational FrameworkThe success of an email marketing campaign hinges on having an email list utilizing an Email Service Provider (ESP) and setting clear campaign objectives.DIFFERENT TYPES OF EMAILSThere are kinds of emails designed to meet marketing goals, such as welcome emails, transactional emails, newsletters, lead nurturing communications and promotional emails.TIPS FOR SUCCESS Following established practices is vital for the legality and success of email marketing efforts. These guidelines include steering of buying email lists implementing opt in processes carefully categorizing subscriber lists and using personalization tactics. Moreover, conducting A/B tests enhancing email deliverability and automating campaigns are strategies to maintain the relevance and effectiveness of your campaigns.*Image provided by the American Marketing Association. 

A Place At Home Pueblo (APAHP) is committed to offering compassionate care tailored to meet the individual needs of seniors. We believe in providing care that allows seniors to remain in their homes comfortably and safely.1.         Experienced Ownership: With 40 years of experience in senior care, the owner understands the unique needs of seniors and is committed to delivering exceptional care.2.         Comprehensive Services: From personal care to household tasks and medical support, we offer a wide range of services catered to the diverse needs of our clients.3.         Qualified Staff: APAHP hires certified and trained professionals who provide non-skilled senior care with compassion and professionalism.4.         Flexibility: Whether seniors need assistance for a few hours a day or require 24/7 care, APAHP offers flexible care plans to accommodate varying needs.APAHP is a trustworthy and reliable home care agency dedicated to supporting seniors in maintaining their independence and quality of life. If you or your loved ones are seeking non-skilled senior care services in Pueblo and Fremont counties, APAHP is an excellent choice.  Submitted by Bambi Creek, owner of A Place at Home. She may be reached at 719-561-1111 or by email at bambi.creek@aplaceathome.com