April 10, 2024 @ 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Free virtual webinar Lunch & Learn Series: “Battling the Aging Brain,” presented by Lisa Nannini of Humana.
Registration by Friday | April 5 is required for this FREE event. Click on the registration button to sign up!
If you have any questions, please email info@NCRGEA.com or phone 919.834.4652 or 1 800 356 1190.
Previous NCRGEA Lunch and Learn Series recordings can be found on our YouTube channel.
March 6, 2024 @ 7:30 am – 8:30 am
Free virtual webinar Lunch & Learn Series: “The Letter,” presented by NCRGEA Board Member, Jerry Pinkard.
This is a presentation about how to document everything~ and how you can help those who need to help you if you are incapacitated or when you have passed.
Registration by Friday | March 1 is required for this FREE event. Registration link provided soon.
If you have any questions, please email info@NCRGEA.com or phone 919.834.4652 or 800.356.1190.
Previous NCRGEA 2023 Lunch and Learn Series recordings can be found on our YouTube channel.
February 7, 2024 @ 7:30 am – 8:30 am
Free virtual webinar Lunch & Learn Series: “NCRGEA’s Advocacy Priorities for 2024.”
Registration by Friday | February 2 is required for this FREE event. Click the Register Now button at the top.
If you have any questions, please email info@NCRGEA.com or phone 919.834.4652 or 800.356.1190.
Previous NCRGEA Lunch and Learn Series recordings can be found on our YouTube channel.
Winter is here and with it comes the drastic change of weather. The cold temperatures can be fun – who doesn’t love a great sleigh ride and hot cocoa on the porch watching the snow fall? But the winter season can take a hefty toll on your oral health.
Wintertime is known for causing issues like dry skin and irritated throats. But the problems don’t stop there. Your oral health is also affected by the change of weather. Want to keep your oral health in perfect condition this winter season? Follow these tips!
During cold temperatures, many find that they experience increased tooth sensitivity. This can not only come from foods, but the chilly air outside too! If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, there are several solutions to relieve discomfort, including using a toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth, or rising out your mouth with salt water.
The cold weather frequently can cause a weakened immune system. This can lead to cold sores. To prevent a cold sore breakout, start by washing your hands frequently to reduce any germs on them. And remember to keep your hands off of your face and especially your mouth area. If you do feel a cold sore is coming, apply a topical treatment to the area to stop the infection as soon as possible.
The enamel is the outside layer of your teeth. If your enamel has started to wear away (which happens normally as we age, and can be exasperated by issues such as teeth grinding), the dentin below can become very sensitive. Without the protection of your enamel, the nerves inside your tooth are more exposed to the elements, putting your oral health at risk.
One of the most common ailments of the winter season is chapped lips. To protect yourself from painful cracked lips this season, invest in a lip salve with SPF+. In addition, don’t forget that your body moisturizes from the inside out. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water every day for your lip – and overall – health!
Hands down, the best part of the winter season is all the delicious food. From hot chocolate to candies, winter is the perfect time to enjoy sweets and sugary treats. It’s fine to give into temptation and indulge but remember to brush and floss afterwards to avoid cavities. In addition, always remember to drink plenty of water to help rinse away food particles and bacteria from your mouth. If possible, substitute dental-friendly foods into your winter diet to help with cavity prevention. Foods such as crunchy fruits and vegetables, cheese, and other choices high in calcium, are all perfect for keeping your teeth and gums healthy this winter.
Taking care of your oral health is important. That’s why NCRGEA and AMBA want to ensure that your oral health is in tip-top shape this season. Our Dental Plan provides coverage for twice annual cleanings, as well as access for any dentist you want with bigger savings by staying in-network, and – best of all – NO WAITING PERIOD on covered services. Visit www.AMBAdentalvision.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228 to enroll today.
April 1, 2024 @ 4:30 am – 10:00 am
NCRGEA is inviting all members and pre-retirees of state and local government to attend our Spring Conference in District 8, Raleigh NC. This one-day conference will be offered on Monday OR Tuesday due to limited space, and agenda will be the same on both days.
~ Registration is Closed ~
Location:
McKimmon Center
NC State University
1101 Gorman Street
Raleigh, NC 27606
Financial planning always has complexities, but couples with a significant age gap face additional concerns. Issues like differences in retirement eligibility dates, life expectancies, health issues, income needs, and more.
Couples with a significant age gap may find themselves juggling different retirement dates. The older spouse may be ready to retire while the younger spouse is still enjoying prime earning years.
From a financial perspective, there can be significant advantages to staggering your retirement dates. For example, the working spouse may be able to maintain employer-sponsored health insurance until their own retirement. And the income they continue to bring into the household can reduce the need to draw from retirement assets, preserving retirement savings.
Of course, if the lifestyle challenges of one working spouse and one retired spouse prove too complex, consider a compromise. Perhaps the older spouse takes a part-time job for a few years and the younger spouse joins their partner in retirement a few years earlier than originally planned.
Properly planning for Social Security is critical for couples with an age gap because the younger spouse has the potential to live significantly longer than the older spouse. This means the younger spouse may need to rely on a survivor benefit for an extended period.
If the older spouse is the primary earner, consider the viability of delaying taking benefits until 70 or later. Doing so allows the Social Security benefits to grow by approximately 8% each year, which can also provide a higher survivor benefit for the younger spouse.
If the older spouse is eligible to receive pension payments, it may make sense to elect a joint-and-survivor payout option. While this choice typically reduces the amount of the household’s monthly payment, it also helps ensure the younger spouse can continue receiving payments for the rest of their life, even after the older spouse passes away.
Estate planning for couples with an age gap is especially important. Take steps to ensure the younger spouse will remain financially secure for their entire lifetime. Make sure all documents are up to date, from your will to old 401ks that you may have assigned a Transfer On Death to a previous beneficiary, and other matters like financial and healthcare powers of attorney.
It also makes sense for the older spouse to have a life insurance policy so each person can have peace of mind. If you’ve attempted to purchase life insurance in the past but were turned down due to lifestyle or health issues, NCRGEA and AMBA have good news. The Whole Life policy available through NCRGEA and AMBA guarantees acceptance if you’re between the ages of 45 to 85. No exams, no tests, no questions. Plus, premiums are set at a fixed rate – and as long as they are paid, you’ll never be dropped for any reason! This plan even features a no-obligation 60-day return policy. You can now purchase your Whole Life Insurance Policy online. Learn more at www.AMBAlifeinsurance.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and with AMBA Discounts, it’s even more wonderful! Getting into the fun and spirit of the gift-giving season is even more jolly when you can take advantage of all the thoughtful savings available through NCRGEA and AMBA. Get ready to save a Ho Ho Whole lot of money!
Electronics – The latest tech can be expensive, but not with AMBA Discounts on your side! We’ve got all the biggest and best brands, including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and Dell. We also offer big savings with Anker, the maker of the industry’s best chargers, power banks, and cables.
Curated Gifts – Our new partner Knack has the perfect gift for all your loved ones. One of our favorites from them is the “A Cold Winter’s Night” set. This gift set includes a cozy fringe throw blanket, super-warm (and soft!) socks, and a Swiss Cocoa Mug Candle. And that’s only one of their holiday-themed offerings. Snuggle up to 15% off your order with AMBA Discounts!
Family Vacations – Nothing brings us together like getting away together. There’s no better way to create lifetime memories and bond with the whole family than with a family vacation. AMBA Discounts partners include Adventures by Disney (AMBA Discounts members earn 4% cash back on your ultimate family enrichment vacation), Villas of Distinction (which gives members 2.5% cash back and $100 credit at hundreds of luxury vacation villas worldwide), and Bellagio Las Vegas (with up to 20% off room rates), and so many more options.
There are so many more savings to explore, including car rentals, hotels, clothing, dining, and more. AMBA Discounts provides great savings for the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday wish list.
Best of all, your membership is absolutely FREE! Start saving today!
Members, if you don’t have your activation code, please call our office at 919-834-4652 or 800-356-1190.
What if you could detect signs of Alzheimer’s disease 20 years before symptoms develop? With an incredible innovation harnessing Artificial Intelligence, researchers say they could unlock a new era in the diagnosis of this neurological disease that afflicts more than seven million Americans.
That number is predicted to rise, mainly because one of the biggest risk factors for dementia is age. For example, most people who develop dementia are over the age of 65. Dementia will become more common as the “baby boomer” generation ages into their 80s and 90s.
Researchers have studied individual hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, including brain inflammation and neurodegeneration, but the exact causes of the disease remain elusive. While there’s still a significant amount that remains to be understood about the brain and how it works, the power of AI can help connect the dots.
One possible solution is to use machine learning to develop retinal scans and blood tests to identify people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The AI model analyzes eye scans for anomalies like the buildup of certain proteins or blood vessels with a twisted shape, that are associated with Alzheimer’s.
Currently, medical professionals typically use diagnostic tools like PET scans or spinal taps to help detect early signs of Alzheimer’s. However, these diagnostic tools can be invasive and expensive.
With AI, not only can the process of getting a diagnosis be sped up, but it can also be made non-invasive and significantly cheaper.
The AI reads scans from a camera that can be attached to machines already available in most optometrists’ offices. The optometrist would instruct the patient where to look and scan four or five images in each eye.
The camera measures a wider range of the spectrum than the human eye can see, allowing the AI to detect unique optical signatures that correspond with the presence of amyloid in the brain. In a recent study, the model delivered impressive results in seconds: an 80% accuracy in detecting signatures of Alzheimer’s.
However, there are still obstacles to overcome. The more information AI has, the more powerful it becomes. Medical data is comparatively scarce with a more limited sample to learn from. That means AI’s results can be easily thrown off. The goal would be to make the procedure part of an optometrist’s routine eye exam. And though the future will reap the benefits of this research, taking care of our eyes today is still essential. A good eye doctor can evaluate your eyes and catch issues early when they’re easiest to treat. That’s why the Vision Plan from NCRGEA and AMBA is so important. The plan covers annual WellVision exams, 100% coverage for most lenses (even progressives!), and has thousands of nationwide in-network providers. Sign up today – acceptance is GUARANTEED! – at www.AMBAdentalvision.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228.
Source: https://www.livemint.com/ai/is-the-eye-the-window-to-alzheimers-11696934785822.html
January 10, 2024 @ 7:30 am – 8:30 am
Free virtual webinar Lunch & Learn Series: “Navigating NC’s Local Government Retirement System,” with panelist Tim O’Connell, Executive Director of NCRGEA and NCRGEA’s lobbyist Jessica Kozma Proctor.
This Lunch and Learn will cover:
• the founding of the local government retirement plan
• its current status
• the laws and rules related to cost of living adjustments, bonuses and more
Registration by Friday | January 5 is required for this FREE event. You will receive the Zoom link by email on Monday, January 8 and you don’t need a computer to participate! Join the virtual session using either the Zoom link, or the Zoom long distance phone number provided. If you have any questions, please email info@NCRGEA.com or phone 919.834.4652 or 1 800.356.1190.
Previous NCRGEA 2023 Lunch and Learn Series recordings can be found on our YouTube channel.
December 6, 2023 @ 6:30 am – 7:30 am
**TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM 12:30p.m. TO 11:30a.m.**
Free virtual webinar Lunch & Learn Series: “Social Security Changes in 2024.”
This session will not be recorded at the request of Social Security Administration.
Hear directly from Lisa Wallace, a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration.
Registration by Friday | December 1 is required for this FREE event. Click the Register Now button at the top. Space is limited so please register soon. INVITE A FRIEND! You will receive the Zoom link by email on Monday, December 4 and you don’t need a computer to participate! Join the session using either the Zoom link, or the Zoom long distance phone number provided. If you have any questions, please email info@NCRGEA.com or phone 919.834.4652 or 1 800 356 1190.
Previous NCRGEA 2023 Lunch and Learn Series recordings can be found on our YouTube channel.
