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Senior Times - January 2025 Page 23Family Owned & OperatedThe Villa at Winston Court is a place seniors can receive the care and support needed to live fulfilling lives in a home-like environment.208 Winston Court Marshall MI 49068269-248-6226www.thevillaalc.com%u2022 Medication Management%u2022 24/7 Pharmacy Services%u2022 Personalized Care Plans%u2022 ADL & IADL Support%u2022 Meals Services%u2022 Housekeeping & Laundry Services%u2022 Daily Activities & Entertainment%u201cGuiding You In Your Time Of Need%u201d %u2022 All Inclusive PricingTate C. Goodwin, Director / ManagerLighthouse Funeral & Cremation Services, LLC1276 Tate Trail, Union City, MI 49094517-741-4555WWW.LIGHTHOUSEFUNERAL.COM www.lighthousefuneral.comServing all of South Central MichiganBright, modern facilities in Athens, Union City & Tekonsha%u2022 Up-To-Date Technology%u2022 On-Site Banquet Space%u2022 Handicap Accessible%u2022 In-Home Pre-Planning Appts.%u2022 FREE Transfer of Pre-Plans%u2022 Monuments & Pet CremationCOMPETITIVE PRICING %u2013 Plus our new 6 MONTHS SAME AS CASHfinancing in case of no life insurance or limited funds. Visit ourwebsite today to see if you qualify.269-781-0846315 W. Green St., Marshall, MI 49068www.calhouncountymi.govCALHOUN COUNTYSeniorServicesServices funded by Senior Millagefifffflffifl%u001a%u0019ff%u0018ffl%u0018%u0017%u0019ffi%u0016%u0015%u0014ff%u0013%u0017%u0012%u0014fl%u0011%u0017%u0018ffi%u0014flfl%u0016fflffi%u0010%u0016%u0011%u000fffi%u0016%u000eff%u0019ffffl%u000cfl%u0015%u0014ffi%u0017%u0019ff%u0016%u000b%u0014ffi%u0018%u0014fffl%u0014ffl%u0009fl%u0016%u000eff%u0019ffffl%u000cfl%u0008%u0014ffl%u0009%u0016%u0007flfl%u0017fl%u0018fflffi%u0012%u0014%u0019ffi%u0014%u0006%u0016fflffiffl%u0014%u000c%u0014ffi%u0018%u0007%u0010%u000f%u0009%u0018%u0016%u0005ffl%u0006%u0016%u0015%u0014ff%u0013%u0017%u0012%u0014fl%u0005%u0014ffi%u0018ffl%u0009%u0016%u0015%u0014ff%u0013%u0017%u0012%u0014fl%u0004%u0014ffi%u0014%u0003%u0018fl%u0016%u000b%u0019%u000fffifl%u0014%u0009%u0017ffi%u0016%u0014%u0010%u0017%u0012fflff%u0014%u0001%u0014%u0010%u0017%u0012ffl%u0017%u0010%u000e%u0014fffl%u0019ffiffl%u0009%u0016%u0081%u000c%u0014ff%u0014ffi%u0012%u0006%u0016%u008d%u0014fl%u001a%u0019ffifl%u0014%u0016%u0015%u0006fl%u0018%u0014%u000c%u0016%u000e%u0081%u008d%u0015%u008f%u0019%u000ffl%u0014%u0090%u0014%u0014%u001a%u0017ffi%u0016%u0007flfl%u0017fl%u0018fflffi%u0012%u0014%u008f%u0019%u000c%u0014%u0016%u008f%u0014ffl%u0018%u0017ffi%u0016%u0007flfl%u0017fl%u0018fflffi%u0012%u0014%u0017ffi%u0019ff%u0016%u008f%u0019%u000c%u0014%u0016%u008d%u0014%u001affl%u0017ff%u008ffflffi%u0010%u0006%u0016%u008f%u0014%u0009%u001a%u0014ff%u0016%u0015%u0014ff%u0013%u0017%u0012%u0014fl%u008dffl%u000c%u001afl%u0016%u009d%u0019ff%u0016%u0007%u0012%u0012%u0014flfl%u0017%u00a0%u0017%u0009%u0017%u0018%u0006%u008f%u0014fflff%u0017ffi%u0016%u00ad%u0016%u0080%u0017fl%u0017%u0019ffi%u0016%u0015%u0014ff%u0013%u0017%u0012%u0014fl%u000eff%u0014fl%u0012ff%u0017%u001a%u0018%u0017%u0019ffi%u0016%u0007flfl%u0017fl%u0018fflffi%u0012%u0014%u0004%u0014%u0010%u0016%u0004%u000f%u0016%u008d%u0014%u000c%u0014%u0010%u0017ffl%u0018%u0017%u0019ffififffflffifl%u001a%u0019%u0018%u0017%u0016%u001a%u0016%u0015%u0014%u0018%u001a%u0013%u0012%u0018%u0013%u0011%u0011%u0017%u0012Call for details%u0011%u0019ff%u0016%u000bffl%u0009%u0082%u0019%u000fffi%u0016%u000b%u0019%u000fffi%u0018%u0006%u0016ff%u0014fl%u0017%u0010%u0014ffi%u0018fl%u0016ffl%u0014%u0016%u0083%u0084%u0085Russell Gloor, AMAC Advisor, Special to Senior TimesSOCIAL SECURITY MATTERSAsk Rusty About MAGI as a married couple was over $206,000 your Medicare premiums will be more %u2013 e.g., MAGI up to $258,000 makes your Part B premium $244.60 and results in a Part D supplement of $12.90 per month. And so on %u2013 as your MAGI further increases, so will your Medicare premiums until you reach the maximum. MAGI over $750,000 means a Part B premium of $594/month and a Part D supplement of $81/month. Thus, Medicare premiums are %u201cmeans-tested%u201d (those with higher income pay higher premiums).A word about %u201cMAGI%u201d %u2013 MAGI starts with your Adjusted Gross Income on your tax return, to which is added any non-taxable interest you may have had, and 50% of the Social Security benefits (if any) you received during the income tax year. The total of those three amounts is your MAGI, from which your Medicare premium is determined for the forthcoming year.So, if your 2023 combined income (your %u201cMAGI%u201d) as a couple was under $206,000 you will pay the standard 2025 Medicare premium which, for Part B, will be $185/month. If your 2023 MAGI as a married couple is more than $206,000, you will pay higher Medicare premiums in 2025 due to IRMAA.Why not pay higher Medicare premiums when we are younger? Well, that%u2019s because IRMAA only applies when you are enrolled in Medicare, and your premium relates to your income while receiving Medicare benefits.This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation%u2019s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit their website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.MEDICARE PREMIUMS DETERMINEDDear Rusty: Please explain the Medicare premium increase based on income reported to Social Security? For those of us that waited to draw Social Security until age 70, and who are still working %u2013 drawing a salary, and planning to retire at age 75 after RMDs kick in at age 73 %u2013 how do we make sure that Social Security reports our earnings accurately, so we don't wind up with increased Medicare premiums? Why not charge increased Medicare premiums when we are younger, instead of waiting to sneak up on us when we are older? Signed: Confused about Medicare PremiumsDear Confused: I believe you are referring to Medicare%u2019s %u201cIncome-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount,%u201d or %u201cIRMAA.%u201d IRMAA increases the Medicare Part B (and Part D) premium amounts for those whose combined income from all sources exceeds specified levels for their IRS tax filing status. Social Security (and Medicare) get your earnings information from the IRS and use your reported IRS income (on your income tax return) to calculate your Medicare premium each year. But there is a twist %u2013 they use your reported combined income (also known as your %u201cMAGI%u201d or %u201cModified Adjusted Gross Income%u201d) from two years ago to determine your current year%u2019s Medicare premium. For example, they will use your 2023 MAGI to determine your 2025 Medicare Part B premium (and your Part D premium if you have Part D). So, if your income reported to the IRS on your tax return in 2023 is correct, Social Security will use that amount to determine next year%u2019s Medicare premium.IRMAA uses a sliding income scale to determine your Medicare premium. If you filed your 2022 taxes as %u201cmarried/jointly%u201d and your combined income for that year was $206,000 or less, for 2024 you are paying the standard Medicare Part B premium of $174.50, and there is no additional amount added to your Part D premium. But if your The Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct interviews for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, to interested seniors. For more information call (269) 965-3951.IN PERSON INTERVIEWS%u2022 Tue, Jan 14, 9-11:45am, Burnside Senior Center, 65 Grahl, Coldwater.%u2022 Thu, Jan 16, 9am-12:30 pm, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, 123 West Territorial Road, Battle Creek. OVER THE TELEPHONE%u2022 Wed, Jan 22, 9am-12pm, for residents of Barry and St. Joseph Counties. Call (269) 965-3951.Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office is a non-profit organization, which provides high quality legal assistance, representation and education to low income people in Calhoun and Branch counties and seniors in St. Joseph, Branch, Calhoun, and Barry counties. Legal Advice for SeniorsBy: Anna Moss, Managing Attorney